OKC Thunder: Chris Paul falls to Allie Quigley in HORSE quarter-finals

OKC Thunder captain Chris Paul battled in the quarter -finals of ESPN’s HORSE challenge but despite being one of the favorites fell to Allie Quigley.

It wasn’t quite what the doctor ordered but it was something to pique our interest and offer up a bit of entertainment. Eight current and former players met in ESPN’s quarter-finals of their HORSE Challenge. OKC Thunder captain Chris Paul fell to Allie Quigley as the pair offered up arguably the most competitive match of the day.

Trae Young who along with CP3 was pegged as the favorites both failed to advance. The Hawks guard was the prohibitive favorite to win the title and although he got off to a quick H-O-R lead on Chauncey Billups, Mr. Big Shot proved how he got his nickname.

Billups was my dark horse pick (no pun intended) and he proved the reason why he was a good bet. Oddly, Young never got into taking many perimeter shots other than the ones Billups initiated.

Poor Tamika Catchings had to deal with the ambidextrous Mike Conley Jr. and the physical weather ailments on a cold and windy Indiana day while MCJ had the benefit of shooting inside. Conley won the match easily. Although she lost, the soon to be Hall of Famer, Catchings reminded all that she is simply one of those infectiously likable people.

Next up Paul Pierce failed to bring “it” as Zach LaVine swept him and delivered the best combination of physicality and creativity to the challenge.  Although Billups is still my dark horse to win this, LaVine sure looks like the one to beat. He’s not a lock, however, as his opponent in the semi-finals showed the Point God how dangerous she is.

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Chris Paul fell behind early to Allie Quigley who mixed up perimeter daggers, behind the backcourt lofts and trick shots to win. Although CP3 made it a contest Quigley couldn’t miss.

Paul hit one particularly tough shot – – facing away from the basket, bent left leg behind him (held by his left hand) then turned and shot with only his right. Quigley replicated her seated bank shot to perfection showing she could hit creative shots.

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Many thought Paul would win or come in second in the challenge so his first-round departure was a bit surprising. But I have a theory. He’s a gentleman and while he has no problem showing his swag, clutch killer gene or talking smack to the competition and even his young teammates he’s too respectful to do that to a lady.

If he had played any of Young, Billups, Conley, LaVine or Pierce I think his notorious competitive gene and trash talk would’ve been on full display.

The semi-finals and finals will air on Thursday. The four players progressing each bring something unique to the challenge. Conley’s ambidexterity, Billups’ calm composure and well – yes BIG SHOTS, LaVine’s physicality and creativity while Quigley brings versatility and poise.

Although I’m not sure how Billups will fare using his opposing hand I’m betting on a Billups – LaVine final and haven’t yet decided whether veteran poise can beat youthful creativity.

In the end, it was a fun event but the less than stellar audio and poorly timed questions took a bit of luster off the challenge. I know Mark Jones was just doing his job and he was great but couldn’t they have pre-recorded most of those questions so he didn’t stop the competitor’s momentum?

Still, it was a nice change from the current binge TV experience I’m on filling the void of live sports. Let us know what you thought of the challenge and who you have pegged to win it all in the comments section.

Have a safe and healthy day all.