If you play basketball, then you've likely engaged in a round of H-O-R-S-E. For those who haven't, well, you clearly don't understand the best way to impress the ladies. Watch any of these NBA stars (Al Harrington not included) pull off these circus shots and immediately go to the hardwood or concrete to begin practicing. Perfect them, wait for the moment when a girl passes by and unleash your inner-NBA star. (For you "It's Always Sunny..." watchers, this works far better than the D.E.N.N.I.S. System.) Enjoy.
9. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Behind the basket shot vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Kobe nailed a fundamental trick shot of all H-O-R-S-E competitions on this basket on Nov. 22. And it actually counted, since a recent NBA rule change allows for shots from behind the basket as long as the ball doesn't travel through an imaginary box extending from behind the backboard, whatever that means. One of your buddies might snicker at the bucket, claiming that he could make the same shot. Chances are he has—just not while being hip checked.
8. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
Eyes-closed free throw vs. Denver Nuggets
Dikembe Mutombo was a rookie playing in only his 11th game for the Denver Nuggets on November 23, 1991 when he decided to talk smack with Air Jordan. Thankfully for Mutombo's, MJ was in a good mood and wasn't trying to annihilate him like he did to so many others. MJ rattled off a "Hey Mutombo, this one's for you" line before closing his eyes and ripping the net with the ball. Kids all around the country followed suit, copying, this exact free throw during H-O-R-S-E contests in the nearly two decades since that day.
7. Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies
Running behind the basket shot vs. New York Knicks
Yes, Knicks fans, this is all Isiah Thomas' fault. (This shot occurred in April 2, 2008, when Dr. Lord Isiah was "coaching" the team.) Gay's shot hits a higher measure of difficulty than Bryant's given all his momentum was taking him to the basket support as he launched the ball one-handed. This shot is so good, it's worth a H and a O. In other words, it can be called a "Tiger Girl" bucket.
6. Larry Bird, Boston Celtics
Behind the basket shot vs. Houston Rockets
Here's the The Godfather of the in-game behind the basket shot. Bird's attempt, during this 1986 preseason game, didn't count as the rule that existed for Bryant and Gay wasn't officially permitted in the mid-'80s. (Expect the Celtics fan nearest you to start bitching about how the Lakers get preferential treatment.) Nevertheless, it was just one of the many remarkable shots put up by Larry Legend during his career.
5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Seated shot, Half-court heave (apparently in a friendly bet vs. Vince Carter)
Dwight Howard can smile because he knows he's not like you or me. His Superman-sized shoulders and arms allow him to comfortably take a roughly 30-foot shot from his seat then nonchalantly hurl a one-handed half-court shot like he's throwing his jersey into the crowd. These two pregame antics from November 29 might look easy but try tossing a half-courter with the same effort Howard shows; lucky if it gets to the three-point line.
4. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Flip behind the head shot vs. New Jersey Nets
Major style points here as D-Wade included the behind-the-back dribble before the 180-degree twist and flip off the backboard. Wade has about one of these per game, which officially makes him the game's preeminent Layup With Back to the Basket Maker.
3. Al Harrington, Golden State Warriors
Three-bounce three-pointer vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Harrington apparently found his stroke of luck while playing for the Warriors all in one shot. The "two-bounce off the back rim, one-bounce off the top of the backboard and through the net" three-pointer isn't exactly the highest percentage H-O-R-S-E shot one can attempt. Maybe you just need to wear a headband, as Harrington is. Or play against the Grizzlies. That's probably it.
2. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers
Full-court shot vs. Denver Nuggets
Just to upstage Allen Iverson's much-hyped return to the Sixers this past Monday, Philly's other "AI" nailed a staple of every H-O-R-S-E game. Of course, most of us aren't playing on NBA-sized courts, which measure 94 feet baseline to baseline. And most of us also can't throw a basketball one-handed with any semblance of accuracy at that distance. Hell, some of us can hardly throw the ball 94 feet, which makes this full-courter all the more impressive.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Diagonal behind the basket shot
LeBron digs these shots, also evidenced here. There's not a tougher H-O-R-S-E shot than this one, where you constantly either overshoot the basket or hit the back of the backboard. And Bron gets it in just three takes. You have to love the pistachio reference, which may or may not have been a shout-out to Levi Johnston, who's officially a pistachio salesman on TV.