Did you know that the NBA is adding a H-O-R-S-E competition to the All-Star festivities on Saturday night? Well, sort of. In a blatant and somewhat annoying sponsorship, the game will be called G-E-I-C-O instead of the traditional H-O-R-S-E. And it will take place outside of the U.S. Airways Center before the official All-Star Saturday Night begins. So arguably the most interesting and exciting event isn’t even on the official line-up card. But while the name may change, at least the game remains the same.

The three entrants are Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks. The game will take place on a 45′ by 50′ court outside the arena at the NBA’s All-Star Block Party. Each player will have 24 seconds to complete their turn. And one additional rule, there will be no dunking allowed. The TNT announcing crew will oversee the festivities on an elevated platform that can move vertically and rotate. The set-up will end up looking something like the depiction above and to the right. The bonus is that it adds an element of creativity to the shots. As fans, it should be a treat to watch as we haven’t seen a good shot for shot competition since Michael Jordan and Larry Bird battled it out for a Big Mac:

To give you guys some ideas of what would be great H-O-R-S-E shots, here are ten of the craziest, luckiest, or simply fluky shots that would defeat anyone in a game of Horse:

10. Off the bench from a seated position

Paul Pierce demonstrates this one with ease.

9. From Your Back

Going one degree harder, you move from a seated position to a lying down position.

8. Face Shot

You’ll need some help on this one, either someone to pass off your face, or work a pass to yourself by throwing the ball off an object.

7. The Bounce Shot

Simple idea, harder to execute. This guys does a great one after a short warm-up.

6. Behind the Back

Like the Bounce Shot, the idea is simple. You can add distance to increase the degree of difficulty.

5. Kick Shot

Basketball players are not usually noted for their soccer skills, so this one is always a good bet.

4. The No Look

Not the fake Dee Brown no look, but literally running the other direction from the basket (and yes this guy scored in the wrong basket, but no need to worry about that in Horse).

3. Long Distance

It always looks cool, and who’s going to match you on 90 footers?

2. Fluke Shot

You could probably never do this one again if you tried. It’s no look and behind the backboard, but if you make then you got a letter on everyone.

1. The Combo

Just combine virtually everything on this list into one shot and you get this. With a little practice, you could get good at it. Plus, for added difficulty, call “Glass”.

And remember, anyone can be good at Horse. This guy is living proof:

If you like these, you might also check out our Ten Awesome Dunks in anticipation of the Dunk Contest.

For more H-O-R-S-E related goodness, check out the following links :
• Will Farrell beats Bill Walton in HORSE (COED Magazine)
• David Kalb beat LeBron James in a game of HORSE (NESW Sports)