The Replay: My game of HORSE with Matt Bonner
So the Replay had a big week. Not a big week actually, a HUGE week. Why you ask? Because we had the opportunity to interview the one, the only, Matt Bonner. That’s right – the Red Mamba, the Red Rocket, the Sandwich Hunter or whatever you call that gosh darn beloved redhead. That guy talked to us!
You may recall Matt’s epic retirement video that came out earlier this year, a lighter, more New Hampshire version of Kobe’s “Dear Basketball” video.
After 10 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Bonner is now officially retired but still staying active. He was in NYC promoting my personal favorite brand of braces, Futuro — a staple for retired basketball players. Matt wears their knee braces. I wear their ankle braces. Together we are probably the perfect Futuro power couple. But I digress…Futuro is helping to keep Bonner fit and adventurous in retirement, as seen here.
And more importantly, he can continue to hunt sandwiches at a rapid pace. Our discussion with him was truly awesome. Did he tell us about Kawhi’s Tahoe? Is he for Kerr Popp or Popp Kerr 2020? And what is his go-to Dunkin Donuts order?! You will find out all of that and more right here on the Replay. Please listen and enjoy!
THE GAME OF HORSE
But wait, there’s more. After our interview, I was invited to play a game of HORSE with Matt (yes, we are on a first name basis… in my mind at least). So I played basketball in college but was never considered a “shooter”. People would call me a “slasher”, a “hustle” player, and possibly the worst compliment ever, a “defensive specialist”. That’s not to say I can’t shoot though. I have good form, Matt said so himself (I hope we got that on tape). It’s just that I always chose not to. And here I am, in a gym with a guy who at one point led the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage.
It goes without saying that I am nervous when I step on the court. At least I have that post-interview glow. I ask for a few warm up shots. Matt obliges but then tries to throw me off by talking about some movie in which the Harvard basketball team does LSD. Luckily, mind games don’t work on me. I come out hot, making a mid-range jumper and a free throw. Just like that, Matt has a HO-.
The next few minutes get hazy. I try some awkward bank shots. Matt gets the advantage back and we are tied up. I’m trying to focus but I also can’t stop giggling to myself because I AM PLAYING HORSE WITH MATT BONNER. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN (#blessed)??? Matt starts getting fancy, as I feared he might. Manu Ginobli euro step, Danny Green three, LaMarcus Aldridge dribble 80 times and then turn for the fadeaway jumper. It is complete madness and I am still giggling. I airball once, ok twice… he does not. He attempts to get me out on a banked free throw but I stay alive.
Next: How to build the most accurate 3-point shooting team in NBA history
I knew we were short on time and Matt had to move on to the next interview…I’m not saying I threw the game because of that…but I’m not saying I didn’t. All in all, playing HORSE with Matt Bonner was an unreal or rather surreal experience. I’m not sure if I can ever go back to playing HORSE with normal people again. And Matt, if you are reading this, I want a rematch…wearing tie-dye wolf shirts…winner buys hoagies.