Given his proficiency for hitting difficult shots, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was a clear cut favorite to win the NBA HORSE Challenge which began on Sunday. However, the 21-year-old point guard bowed out of the competition early as retired vet Chauncey Billups gave him a slice of some humble pie.
The Detroit Pistons great, who now works as a game analyst for the Los Angeles Clippers, overcame an early H-O-R deficit (3-0) to stun the Hawks All-Star.
“Mr. Big Shot” proved that he still got that magic touch, eliminating Young by drilling an off the glass three-ball from the top of the key. Young's attempt did not even come close as Billups completed the mighty comeback.
.@1MrBigShot beats @TheTraeYoung in the first round of the NBA HORSE Challenge after Trae initially built a 3-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/3CJQgpbBnq
— ESPN (@espn) April 12, 2020
Chauncey Billups, of course, was one of the most accurate shooters in the league during his playing days from 1997 (being drafted before the Hawks guard was even born) to 2014. He won a title with the Pistons in 2004 and was named the Finals MVP the same year.
Mr. Big Shot has career averages of 15.2 points. 2.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, and a career 38.7 percent shooter from downtown and a marvelous 89.7 percent from the free-throw line. He last played basketball for the Killer 3's in Ice Cube's Big 3.
Young, on the other hand, has been special for the Hawks in just his first two seasons in the league. For sure, he'll be kicking himself for this one after surrendering that early advantage.
Billups will face Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley next in the semis. Conley cruised past WNBA legend Tamika Catchings in their first round match-up. Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine turned back future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, while Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky bested Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul.
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