With All-Star Weekend approaching, all eyes lock on Saturday night festivities as they always have. Growing up, many of our memories were drawn towards the Dunk Contest where we would see Vince Carter literally putting his elbow in the rim, Jason Richardson doing a reverse, left-handed, through the legs from the baseline, and a very slim Kobe going through the legs with all the attitude in the world.
This was the common hype of the Saturday night, but my eyes were always glued for a different reason. One of the opening acts for the Dunk Contest was always the 3-point contest. This put the best 3 point shooters in the game against each other. We remember performances such as Voshon Lenard winning one year, then coming back the year after adding what looked like 50 lbs as well as Peja’s repeat victories in 2002 and 2003. But I also remember more obscure occurrences like Gilbert Arenas putting on a show for the people.
As the years have gone by, it became evident that the Dunk Contest started losing its traction to the 3 point contest by emphasizing Rising Stars. The 3 point contest never went away from its roots, getting the best shooters in the game to participate. On the other hand, the Dunk Contest has evolved and lost major star power over the years (LeBron, we’re still waiting). It’s become obvious that players don’t have the creativity and drive to enter the dunk contest anymore. It may have started with Chris Andersen’s attempt at dunking and then Nate stealing the dunk contest from Iguodala in 2006.
The 3 point contest has taken a different route getting the best shooters to take part every year, and this year is one of the best crops possible. Out of 8 participants, we have 5 All-Stars this year, 2 former winners, and 2 players who are among the top in the MVP race.
- Wes Matthews is leading the league this year in 3-pointers made
- JJ Redick is one of the most prolific set shooters in the current NBA
- Harden is an MVP candidate and is one of the best contested 3 point shooters
- Kyrie won the competition in 2013
- Steph is pure fire
- Klay recently got the record for most points in a quarter in history (9/9 on 3 pointers)
- Korver, injury replacement for Dwyane Wade, has been known as a shooter since he came in the league
- Belinelli is the returning Champion
To be honest, as a 3 point shooter, it doesn’t matter who wins this competition because all the guys are equally as deserving. With their ability to get in the zone and launch from 22-24 ft, it’ll be a great competition to watch. If this trend continues, we may see this be the final event and the Dunk Contest be cast into the shadows sooner than we think.
