Indiana Pacers T.J. Warren would tear up NBA “HORSE” competition

Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren would be an incredible candidate for a popular shot-making skill game that the NBA is looking to put on for fans.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the NBA is going to put on a game of H-O-R-S-E and televise it for fans as the nation is essentially shut down and practicing social distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

The game will be played with players safely in their own respective locations. The isolated nature of each shot attempt allows for a game like this to function essentially as normal during times of social distancing.

While attempts to put on entertaining games of H-O-R-S-E have failed to captivate fans in the past when a part of All-Star weekend, it could largely be because those were overshadowed by more available and exciting events like the Dunk Contest and 3-point Shootout.

Now, with little else for basketball fans to grasp at, there may be a legitimate market for a game of H-O-R-S-E in isolation to provide us with some entertainment so long as the commentary is solid and the personalities of players can shine through.

It remains to be seen how many players will play, but if the Pacers are looking to send someone, T.J. Warren is a good candidate.

Warren joined the Pacers last summer on a trade that was an incredible fleece for the Pacers over the Suns.

Since Warren has joined the Pacers, he’s stepped into a complete offensive game that he has pieced together over the years. His shot profile is extremely balanced and he can score from essentially all zones on the floor.

Warren has great shooter’s touch and would be able to consistently hit some inside shots with finesse. While his 3-point shots haven’t been a frequent need on the Pacers this year, he still hits them at a rate of 37.5 percent per game.

Warren’s true shooting percentage (59.9 percent) is third-best on the Pacers. The only range he doesn’t hit shots from at least 50 percent in below 16 feet is the 3-10 foot range, which is also the range he attempts the least amount of shots signaling to forced attempts there.

In the mid-range (16 feet to the 3-point line) Warren hits 44.4 percent of his shots.

In today’s NBA, when we think of shooters we think of guys like J.J. Redick or, for Indiana, Doug McDermott. But shot makers are often more impactful than shot takers. Yes, a high volume of 3-point shooting can help run up a scoreboard, but those opportunities are largely reliant on the defense giving you open looks from beyond the arc.

Warren is the kind of offensive player that can lean in and find his look and create his own shot. It’s why he’s taken so many mid-range attempts throughout his career. He’s a shot maker, not necessarily a shot taker.

So, yes, give us H-O-R-S-E, and give us T.J.