Reigning champion Paul Pierce of the Boston
Celtics will defend his title in this year’s NBA Three-Point Shootout Contest, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, at Staples Center in Los
Angeles as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Rounding out the field are
All-Stars Ray Allen of the Celtics and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City
Thunder, Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Jones of the Miami
Heat, and Dorell Wright of the Golden State Warriors. Allen won the contest
in 2001.
And when the smoked cleared, Heat G/F James Jones stepped up to win in convincing fashion. Here are a few quick notes from the event:
LIVE 2011 NBA 3-POINT SHOOTOUT BLOG
Paul Pierce, James Jones and Ray Allen made it to the finals of the 2011 NBA Three-point shootout.
Up first was Pierce, who was lukewarm to start, but hit the first two moneyballs, got hot up top but missed the last two, was solid on the fourth rack, and finished with 18 points.
Second was Jones, who started strong and got eight points from the first two racks, was great up top and kept nailing moneyballs, and rocked the final rack even with a moneyball miss, getting 20.
And finally, the defending champion, Ray Allen. He needs 21 or better to win. He didn't start hot, got ice cold at the second rack and had just four points after two locations, but smoked the top of the key shots to get up to 10, did not ever heat up and finished with a disappointing 15.
Congrats to James Jones of the Miami Heat, winning the 2011 NBA three-point shootout competition!
Player quotes and more coming later.
Fan discussion of the 3-point shooutout announcement is in this forum topic.
Pierce bested the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry in last year’s
contest, scoring 20 points in the final round to capture the title. Jeff
Hornacek, Jason Kapono, Mark Price and Peja Stojakovic each won two titles;
Larry Bird and Craig Hodges captured three straight.
The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three
finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting
stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four Official
Spalding NBA game balls worth one point each and one Spalding NBA All-Star
2011 commemorative red, white and blue “money ball” worth two points at
each location. Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as
he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of
first-round scores. At the discretion of the referee, television instant
replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
The NBA 3-Point Shootout Contest will be televised live nationally as
part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which will
also feature the Shooting Stars; Slam Dunk; and Skills Challenge. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 8
p.m. EST from Staples Center. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 20,
will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and will be
broadcast in more than 40 languages.
Following is a list of the year-by-year NBA three-point shooting contest winners:
NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT CONTEST WINNERS HISTORY
1986 - Larry Bird, Boston
1987 - Larry Bird, Boston
1988 - Larry Bird, Boston
1989 - Dale Ellis, Seattle
1990 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1991 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1992 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1993 - Mark Price, Cleveland
1994 - Mark Price, Cleveland
1995 - Glen Rice, Miami
1996 - Tim Legler, Washington
1997 - Steve Kerr, Chicago
1998 - Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2000 - Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2001 - Ray Allen, Milwaukee
2002 - Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2003 - Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2004 - Voshon Lenard, Denver
2005 - Quentin Richardson, Phoenix
2006 - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2007 - Jason Kapono, Miami
2008 - Jason Kapono, Toronto
2009 - Daequan Cook, Miami
2010 – Paul Pierce, Boston
The AP reports: Paul Pierce won the 3-Point Shootout, proving his lackluster performance the last time he was in the competition was an aberration. “I worked on it, I really took pride in it. In ’02 I stunk it up. I wanted to come in here and put on a show,” Pierce said. “I had to work on getting the technique down and knowing what side to pull the ball from, stuff like that. I knew if I got hot I could win it.” Pierce had 20 points in the final round, making all five of the 2-point money balls, to beat Golden State’s Stephen Curry (17) and Denver’s Chauncey Billups (14).
PAUL PIERCE INTERVIEW AFTER WINNING 2010 NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT
Question: The players said right from the beginning: Paul Pierce is talking, his mouth is going, and you backed it, you talked the talk, and backed it.
Paul Pierce: You know, like I said early on, I worked on it. I really took pride on it from '02 when I came in and stunk it up. This is something I really wanted to do and really wanted to show everybody that I put on a better performance and what better way than by bringing home the trophy.
Question: When did you get the time to work on this?
Paul Pierce: At the practice. A lot of times like going to the gym at night, a lot of times I get there early before practice, you know, when nobody is in the gym.
I really couldn't practice -- well, because we don't have five ball racks. But the key was just getting the technique of pulling the ball off the rack and the shooting of the ball, because it's a lot different from when you get the ball from a pass and shoot it.
So that was the key, just getting the technique down, knowing which side of the rack I wanted to pull the ball from and just taking my time and getting the rhythm. And like I said, if I get hot, there's a chance I can win it.
Question: Can you talk about the support of KG and Rondo?
Paul Pierce: That's big. Support means everything, and we are that type of team that supports each other in anything we do, whether it's on the court or off the court. And just having KG over there yelling at me and Rondo on the sidelines. That was big for me. That gave me an extra boost of confidence.
Question: Did any of the other competitors worry you at all? Any fear?
Paul Pierce: They are all such great shooters. They all shoot the ball really well. Not really; my thing was trying to get in their heads on the sidelines. I was over there talking to them, playing with them and unlacing their shoelaces and throwing the ball off the rack. I was doing anything to try to get an edge, and it seemed to work.
Question: You were 8-for-10 with the Money Ball, any explanation for being clutch like that?
Paul Pierce: Hey, it's just like being a fourth quarter player. When you need it, those are the biggest shots. I think I've been known to hit big shots throughout my career, and even the biggest ones when I didn't shoot the one balls really well, I really focused on really making the Money Ball. And that was something that I think carried me throughout the competition.
Question: Talk about the joke where you untied someone's shoeslaces.
Paul Pierce: I was playing with Stephen Curry right there in the finals and I kind of unzipped his Velcro laces for a second.
It's fine. We were over there having fun on the sideline talking and just being around the guys. That's what All-Star is all about, enjoying the camaraderie, a little bit of competition, All-Star Game, Shootout and Dunk Contest. But I really take this serious, apart from all of the fun, I really took this serious and I was glad I was able to come away with the win.
Question: Is it true that you were working on Daequan Cook the day before? And also, that's a big statement, best shooter in the NBA history --
Paul Pierce: I would say one of the best. I've always said this and I tell this to guys on my team. I said throughout my career, I've always been known as a pure scorer, and always said, if I just sat outside and shot threes, and just really focused on that, come off screens and spot up the three and shot six or seven threes a game, I would be probably more known for one of great shooters in the NBA history.
I take the opportunity threes, and I think I'm one of the better shooters; and I've proved that I think this year with my percentage and the way I'm shooting the ball.
Question: You were very energized by this and pumped up. Why does this mean so much to you?
Paul Pierce: I take pride in competition. Like I said, back in '02 when I really didn't do well in it and the way I've been practicing and shooting well this year, I was like, this is a great opportunity for me to come out here and redeem myself.
This was just -- it was all set up. It was set up and I had a chance to do it again and that's all I needed. All I needed was another chance. I didn't get invited for seven years, seven, eight years, I never get invited again and this was the opportunity where I got invited and I took advantage of it this time.
Question: Any significance in the fact that you win as a Boston Celtic and this was really the birthplace of the Three-Point Contest back in 1986 when Larry Bird won it?
Paul Pierce: This where he won it? Oh, wow. So history -- they say history always repeats itself, and it did tonight. The stars were lined up I guess.
Question: How did your foot feel during the competition?
Paul Pierce: It felt good. You know, I really didn't think about it. It's getting better these last few days with rest it's really feeling good. Probably won't play too much tomorrow in the All-Star Game, get a chance to rest and get some treatment for the next couple of days until we start our road trip in Sacramento on Tuesday.
Question: Can you talk about some of the work you constantly put in -- you go into the gym and you're the only guy in there. A lot of guys don't understand the work you put in in the off-season, but also during the regular season.
Paul Pierce: I put so much work into it and that's the stuff that people don't really see. A lot of times we have a 10:00 practice and a lot of times I'm in there at 8:15 shooting, lifting weights. On game days we don't have to be to the arena until 5:00, but I get to the practice gym at 9:30 in the morning, and I put the work in.
People don't understand it's the work and preparation that you have to put in to be one of the best and to be able to accomplish what you want to accomplish on the court; and I've been able to show in my career that consistency, but that's always through the hard work.
Question: Can you just take me through what went through your mind when you were watching Stephen Curry shoot that final round?
Paul Pierce: You know, he started off so good, and I was like, man, you know, the people behind were like, you don't have a chance. He made his first four out of five. Next rack, he was good; he had nine going into the center rack, and he even shot a ball, and I was like, wow, he's going to get fired. And then he got cold and missed a couple money balls.
Once he got to the last rack, I see that he had a chance to tie it, I think in the last rack, and once he missed one shot, I knew I had the game.
But he's going to be a great shooter. I mean, his dad was a great shooter and he has good mechanics and I wouldn't be surprised to see him win this competition next year or the year after.
But this year was my time (smiling).
Question: Was it unusual or strange to have to get used to shooting from a rack? Because usually you lean forward when you shoot a three to kind of will it in. Was it unusual to kind of keep going?
Paul Pierce: That's why I worked on it. It's definitely different. Like I said, from catching a pass, you're used to catching it up here or down here. And you know, when you pull from a rack, sometimes the ball gets stuck or the balls don't come up, so you have to get used to that motion of grabbing down from the rack and shooting the ball, and that's something I worked on.
That's a whole different shot, but you've got to work on it. In 2002 when I did it, I didn't practice at all. I thought I would come out here and wing it, and obviously that didn't work.
Question: Can this weekend, hanging with the guys, help for the second half of the regular season? You guys seemed like you needed a break after the slow ending to the first half.
Paul Pierce: I think it definitely could help, brush off that first half, we were disappointed -- really disappointed with the way we played, finished off the first half the season.
But we always look at the season in the three parts: You have the first half, the second half and the playoffs. So this is a chance to refresh ourselves. We have a big road trip coming up where we can get back on track and get some healthy bodies and hopefully get on the road to the playoffs.
Question: Where does this rank for you in terms of winning a championship of any type?
Paul Pierce: It's not up there like winning a championship, but there's definitely some pride in going out there and being in the competition. And this is like one of those things where I wanted to win because of what I did in '02. And I take pride in every competition, whether it's basketball, shooting, checkers, chess, this is something that if I'm going in, I might as well try to win. It's something that's more hardware for the trophy case.
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NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT PREVIEW
2010 All-Stars Chauncey Billups of the Denver Nuggets and Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics headline a field of six in this year’s NBA Three-Point Shootout, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, at American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Reigning champion Daequan Cook of the Miami Heat returns in an attempt to become the sixth player to capture consecutive titles.
Rounding out the field are Rookie Challenge invitees Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Danilo Gallinari of the New York Knicks, and the Phoenix Suns’ Channing Frye.
Cook bested the Orlando Magic’s Rashard Lewis in last year’s contest, scoring 19 points in an overtime round to walk away with the title. Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek, Jason Kapono and Peja Stojakovic each won two titles; Larry Bird and Craig Hodges captured three straight.
Dallas hosted the inaugural NBA Three-Point shootout event in 1986, which was held in Reunion Arena, with Bird defeating Hodges in the final round.
The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four basketballs worth one point each and one “money ball” worth two points at each location. Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of first-round scores. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
The NBA 3-Point Shootout will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which will also feature the Slam Dunk, Skills Challenge, and Shooting Stars competitions. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EST from American Airlines Center. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 14, will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and will be broadcast in more than 40 languages.
NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT YEAR-BY-YEAR WINNERS
1986 - Larry Bird, Boston
1987 - Larry Bird, Boston
1988 - Larry Bird, Boston
1989 - Dale Ellis, Seattle
1990 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1991 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1992 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1993 - Mark Price, Cleveland
1994 - Mark Price, Cleveland
1995 - Glen Rice, Miami
1996 - Tim Legler, Washington
1997 - Steve Kerr, Chicago
1998 - Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2000 - Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2001 - Ray Allen, Milwaukee
2002 - Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2003 - Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2004 - Voshon Lenard, Denver
2005 - Quentin Richardson, Phoenix
2006 - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2007 - Jason Kapono, Miami
2008 - Jason Kapono, Toronto
2009 - Daequan Cook, Miami
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2009 NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT
February 14, 2009
Miami Heat guard Daequan Cook won the 2009 NBA three-point shooting competition, beating Rashard Lewis in a shootout. Cook, Lewis and former champion Jason Kapono reached the three-point shootout finals, but Lewis and Cook tied with 15 points each in the second and last round, forcing an extra, tie-breaking round.
Below are live NBA three-point shootout contest notes, taken as the event happened:
The 2009 NBA three-point shootout is set to begin, with Rashard Lewis, Mike Bibby, Daequan Cook, Danny Granger, Roger Mason and two-time champion Jason Kapono.
Rashard lewis was up first, and struggled early, hitting just one, then two, all five middle rack shots, four on the rack, and did well at the end for a very respectable 17 points.
Mike Bibby went second, hitting three from the first rack, just two, including a banked-in moneyball in the second, all five from up top, just one on the fourth rack and just one on the fifth for 14 total points.
Daequan Cook went third, struggled on the first rack but got smoking hot on racks two and three, but managed to nail four moneyballs for 18 points, best so far of the three shooters.
Danny Granger is up, wearing cool yellow sneakers, was sleepy early on, hit four from the top, missed every shot from the fourth rack, and didn't get the final shot of the final rack off in time -- though it missed anyway -- to finish with an unimpressive 13.
Roger mason started badly, and unlike the other shooters was totally awful from up top. But got slightly better, then hot on the last rack, finishing with
Jason Kapono, the clear favorite, started OK, but struggled in the second rack, nailed all five from the top, nailed three including the moneyball on the fourth, and finished with an acceptable 16.
NBA three-point shootout final round: Kapono, Lewis and Cook:
Kapono went first, and was ok to start, very decent from the second rack, decent from up top, very good from the fourth, but awful at the fifth
. He only hit one moneyball, which really killed him. Kapono finished with a mere 14 points.
Lewis went second, struggled early, was awful in the second rack, getting a total of just two points on the first two racks, hit four (but no moneyball) up top, hit three with a moneyball at the fourth, and hit four of the five shots, including a moneyball, on the last rack, to finish with 15.
Cook went third, started very badly with just three points after the first two racks, heated up a bit up top, stayed slightly hot on the fourth rack, missed the first shot of the last rack but hit the final four, to tie Lewis with 15.
So, we have a one-minute shootout for the 2009 three-point shootout championship.
Lewis went first, missing every single shot of the first two racks, hitting a couple up top for just four points so far after three racks, bricked like crazy on the fourth rack though connecting on the moneyball, and continuing to be awful at the end, finishing with a pathetically bad 7 points.
Cook has a golden opportunity to win the three-point shootout championship. He started decently, hitting three on the first rack, then got smoking hot and hit four, including the moneyball on the second, winning the competition before even reaching the top of the key. He continued to rip the net the whole way through, winning easily.
Congrats to Daequan Cook, the 2009 NBA three-point shootout winner.
NBA Three-Point Shootout Preview
The Toronto Raptors’ Jason Kapono will seek to become the third player to capture three consecutive titles in this year’s NBA Three-Point Shootout competition, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, at US Airways Center, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night.
Kapono, who tied Craig Hodges for most points in a single round (25 in the final round last year), will look to join Hodges (1990-92) and Hall of Famer Larry Bird (1986-88) as the only three-time winners of the event. Mark Price, Peja Stojakovic and Jeff Hornacek each won two titles.
Kapono will be joined by Eastern Conference All-Star reserves Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers and Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks, Roger Mason of the San Antonio Spurs and Daequan Cook of the Miami Heat.
The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four Official NBA game balls worth one point each and one NBA All-Star 2009 commemorative purple and orange colored “money ball” worth two points at each location.
Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of first-round scores. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
2009 NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT PLAYERS/PARTICIPANTS
Mike Bibby, Atlanta
Daequan Cook, Miami
Danny Granger, Indiana
Jason Kapono, Toronto
Rashard Lewis, Orlando
Roger Mason, San Antonio
NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT PAST WINNERS HISTORY
1986 - Larry Bird, Boston
1987 - Larry Bird, Boston
1988 - Larry Bird, Boston
1989 - Dale Ellis, Seattle
1990 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1991 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1992 - Craig Hodges, Chicago
1993 - Mark Price, Cleveland
1994 - Mark Price, Cleveland
1995 - Glen Rice, Miami
1996 - Tim Legler, Washington
1997 - Steve Kerr, Chicago
1998 - Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2000 - Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2001 - Ray Allen, Milwaukee
2002 - Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2003 - Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2004 - Voshon Lenard, Denver
2005 - Quentin Richardson, Phoenix
2006 - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2007 - Jason Kapono, Miami
2008 –Jason Kapono, Toronto
LAST YEAR'S NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT
Feb. 16, 2008
It’s 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend, Saturday night, and we’re up to the NBA Three-Point Shootout. Jason Kapono won it last year. Scroll down for a preview/overview of the whole event. And now, live game notes, unedited, taken as the event happened:
Richard Hamilton is up first. He hit 2 shots on the first rack, 4 on the second, 3 on the third, 3 on the fourth, and 4 on the last — but two of his last-rack shots were discounted by the refs because Rip stepped on the line. Hamilton actually shot well but did not hit a single money-ball except on the very last rack, but that shot was one of the shots discounted by the refs. Rip’s final score wound up being 14.
Daniel Gibson went second, and started from the nontraditional left side. He struggled early, but then picked things up. Gibson hit 1 shot on the first rack, 4 shots (including a money-ball) on the second rack, 3 shots (including a money-ball) on the third rack, 3 shots on the fourth rack, and 3 shots (including a money-ball) on the last rack, getting 17.
Steve Nash went third, also starting from the left side, and was awful from start to finish, getting a pathetic 9 points. They should have let InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner shoot.
Dirk Nowitzki was next, continuing the new tradition of starting from the left side. He shot a very long, slow, high-arc release which wasn’t very fitting for this competition. After a slow start he picked it up, and on the five racks he hit 1, 5, 3, 3 and 3 shots, with money-balls on the second and fourth racks. Dirk finished with 17.
Next is Peja Stojakovic, starting from the right side. He hit just one shot in the first rack and his first money-ball attempt hit the side of the backboard. His struggles continued until he got to the top of the key, which he rocked. And then stepped up on the last rack. In the five shooting areas Peja hit 1, 2, 3, 3 and 4 shots, with money-balls on the third and fourth racks. He got 15 points.
InsideHoops.com is the best pro basketball website ever, by the way. Just a reminder.
Last up is defending three-point champion Jason Kapono, who starts from the left side. He is shooting very quickly and did well all-around, though missing the money-balls, but rocked in the end when he needed it. From the five racks he hit 2, 4, 3, 4 and 5 shots, with money-balls on the second and fifth racks. Kapono finished with an awesome 20 points.
Reaching the second and final round is Kapono, Dirk and Gibson.
Starting first is Gibson, shooting very quickly, picking up steam halfway through and again at the end. The money-ball saved him. In the five racks he hit 2, 2, 3, 2 and 4 shots with money-balls on the first, third, fourth and fifth racks, finishing with 17.
Nowitzki is up second, high arc and all, and did decently but struggled with money-balls. In the five racks he hit 1, 4, 2, 3 and 3 shots, with just one money-ball, the very last shot. He got 14 points.
Kapono must beat 17 to win it. And unleashed one of the best performances ever, hitting every single money-ball, and on the five racks making 3, 5, 4, 4 and 4 shots, finishing with an awesome 24 points.
As always, this was a fun competition.
Kapono repeats as the three-point shootout champion.
PREVIEW: NBA 3-POINT SHOOTOUT CONTEST
Feb. 15, 2008
The Toronto Raptors’ Jason Kapono will defend his title in this year’s NBA Three-Point Shootout, which will be held
on Saturday, Feb. 16, at New Orleans Arena as part of NBA All-Star Weekend Saturday Night.
Kapono will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner of the NBA Three-Point Shootout since Peja Stojakovic won the 2002 and 2003
titles. Stojakovic will return to the competition representing the
hometown New Orleans Hornets for the first time since finishing as
runner-up in the 2004 competition. Stojakovic and Kapono will be joined by
Western Conference starter and 10-time All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los
Angeles Lakers, Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Richard Hamilton
of the Detroit Pistons and two-time MVP Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.
The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three
finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting
stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four Official
Spalding NBA game balls worth one point each and one Spalding NBA All-Star
2008 commemorative teal and gold colored “money ball” worth two points at
each location. Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as
he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of
first-round scores. At the discretion of the referee, television instant
replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT HISTORY: YEAR-BY-YEAR PAST WINNERS
1986 -- Larry Bird, Boston
1987 -- Larry Bird, Boston
1988 -- Larry Bird, Boston
1989 -- Dale Ellis, Seattle
1990 -- Craig Hodges, Chicago
1991 -- Craig Hodges, Chicago
1992 -- Craig Hodges, Chicago
1993 -- Mark Price, Cleveland
1994 -- Mark Price, Cleveland
1995 -- Glen Rice, Miami
1996 -- Tim Legler, Washington
1997 -- Steve Kerr, Chicago
1998 -- Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2000 -- Jeff Hornacek, Utah
2001 -- Ray Allen, Milwaukee
2002 -- Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2003 -- Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2004 -- Voshon Lenard, Denver
2005 -- Quentin Richardson, Phoenix
2006 -- Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2007 -- Jason Kapono, Miami
2008 NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT PARTICIPANTS
Player Three-point shooting percentages:
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers (.353 this year, .338 career)
Daniel Gibson, Cleveland (.468 this year, .451 career)
Richard Hamilton, Detroit (.467 this year, .342 career)
Jason Kapono, Toronto (.510 this year, .467 career)
Steve Nash, Phoenix (.468 this year, .429 career)
Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans (.462 this year, .404 career)
2007 NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT RECAPS
Jason Kapono went first, hitting just one in the first rack, four including the moneyball in the second rack, perfect up top, three shots but no moneyball in the fourth rack, and just two on teh final the final rack, finishing with 19.
Mike Miller went second, hitting just the moneyball in the first rack, three in the second rack, three including the moneyball up top, three including the moneyball on the fourth rack, and four including the moneyball on the final rack, getting 18.
Next up is Jason Terry, starting from the left corner. He fired quickly, hitting two in the first rack, only the moneyball in teh second rack, three up top, only the moneyball in the fourth rack, and on the final rack he actually threw up an airball in the process of missing all five shots, finishing with an awful 10. Let it be said that I, InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner, also could have gotten 10.
Damon Jones is fourth, starting from the left. He hit four, including the moneyball on the first rack, two including the moneyball on the second rack, three up top, just one on the fourth rack, and just two on the final rack, finishing with 15. He appeared to steadily tire during the shooting.
Gilbert Arenas is next, starting on the left side. He hit two including the moneyball on the first rack, all five shots on teh second rack, three including the moneyball up top, three including the moneyball on the fourth rack and several including the moneyball on the final. Gil Zero finished with 23, the best so far.
Defending champion Dirk Nowitzki went last, starting on the left side. He hit two including the moneyball on the first rack, had 8 by the second rack, 12 after the third, 17 after the fourth, and finished with 20.
The 2007 Three-Point Shootout finalists: Kapono, Dirk and Gilbert.
Kapono went first, starting from the left side. He had 4 (with the moneyball) after the first rack, 8 (moneyball) after the second, 13 (moneyball) after the third, 19 (moneyball) after the fourth and finished with a fantastic 24, tying the all-time 3-point shootout finals record. Kapono nailed all five moneyballs.
It's all about the moneyball, baby.
Dirk went second, starting from the left. He had 3 (with moneyball) after the first rack, 6 after the second, missed all five shots on the third rack, had just 8 after the fourth, and had a final score of just 10. He pretty much lost focus early on after realizing he wasn't beating Kapono. Dirk also stepped over the line a few times during shots.
Gilbert went last, and was off right away, finishing with 2 (moneyball) after the first rack, 6 (moneyball) after the second, 9 after the third -- Kapono's going to win -- 14 after the fourth (didn't see if he hit the moneyball) and for the fun of it started shooting one-handed in the final rack, finishing with 17. At least Gil Zero brought something extra, even nailing that final moneyball with one hand.
Kapono rocked this competition, hitting an insane 70 percent of shots taken, winning the 2007 NBA Three-point shootout championship.
NBA 3-POINT SHOOTOUT PREVIEW
Nowitzki, who will make his sixth NBA All-Star appearance this year, won last year’s closely contested event in Houston. He aims to become the first back-to-back winner since Peja Stojakovic, winner of the competition in 2002 and 2003. The seven-footer will face 2006 runner-up and Eastern Conference All-Star starter Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones, Miami Heat forward and the NBA’s leader in three-point shooting percentage Jason Kapono, Memphis forward Mike Miller, as well as Nowitzki’s Dallas teammate, Jason Terry.
NBA 3-POINT SHOOTOUT RULES
The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four orange balls worth one point each and one multi-colored ball (money ball) worth two points at each location. Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of first round scores. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
The NBA Three-Point Shootout contest will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. ET from Thomas & Mack Center. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 18, will air live from Thomas & Mack Center on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT WINNERS HISTORY
Year
Location
Winner
2006
Houston
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2005
Denver
Quentin Richardson, Phoenix
2004
Los Angeles
Voshon Lenard, Denver
2003
Atlanta
Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2002
Philadelphia
Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2001
Washington, D.C.
Ray Allen, Milwaukee
2000
Oakland
Jeff Hornacek, Utah
1999
No competition
- lockout
1998
New York
Jeff Hornacek, Utah
1997
Cleveland
Steve Kerr, Chicago
1996
San Antonio
Tim Legler, Washington
1995
Phoenix
Glen Rice, Miami
1994
Minneapolis
Mark Price, Cleveland
1993
Salt Lake City
Mark Price, Cleveland
1992
Orlando
Craig Hodges, Chicago
1991
Charlotte
Craig Hodges, Chicago
1990
Miami
Craig Hodges, Chicago
1989
Houston
Dale Ellis, Seattle
1988
Chicago
Larry Bird, Boston
1987
Seattle
Larry Bird, Boston
1986
Dallas
Larry Bird, Boston
2006 NBA THREE-POINT SHOOTOUTThree-point shootout preview is first. Scroll down for the recap, as well as an interview with the winner, Dirk Nowitzli.
THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT PREVIEW
Critics say Quentin Richardson only tied for the NBA lead with 226 three-pointers in 2004-05 because he had Steve Nash passing him the ball. While that's all well and good, Nash was not passing him the ball in last year's Three-Point Shootout. And so, Richardson remains a dangerous threat.
But his competition is fierce. Seattle's Ray Allen won it in 2001, made the finals in 2000 and also participated in 2002 and 2005. He's a career .397 shooter from beyond the arc.
Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Gilbert Arenas and Chauncey Billups round out the field.
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The NBA Three-Point Shootout is a favorite event in the annual NBA All-Star Weekend. While Larry Bird may forever be remembered as the top NBA three-point shootout champion of all time, the door is open for others to create their own legend.
In the 2006 NBA three-point shootout, defending champion Quentin Richardson of the New York Knicks will highlight a star-studded field of six, taking place Feb.18 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
In the event’s 20th year, Richardson will compete against five of the NBA’s top three-point shooters: Seattle’s Ray Allen, who won the competition in 2001, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups and Washington's Gilbert Arenas.
Arenas is actually a replacement for Raja Bell (Phoenix). On February 17, Bell pulled out of the event to deal with some personal family issues.
The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations are set up around the three-point line, with four orange balls worth one point each and one multi-colored ball (money ball) worth two points at each location. Each player has one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. In the Finals, players will shoot in ascending order of first round scores.
The contestants in the Three-Point Shootout will be competing for $86,000 in prize money, with $35,000 going to the winner. Second place is worth $22,500, third place is worth $15,000 and fourth through sixth places are worth $4,500 each.
THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT RECAP | LIVE, UNEDITED NOTES
Gilbert Arenas went first, and was OK but not great, hitting a few shots at various locations for 14 points... Jason Terry began with an airball, but then didn't do too well. He hit the second moneyball, and hit a few shots on the final rack, but ran out of time and didn't even get the final moneyball off. He finished with 13... Dirk Nowitzki went third. He started nicely, hitting three of the first five -- but airballed the first moneyball. He then missed a bunch but hit the second moneyball. And again missed a bunch, but hit the third moneyball. Dirk's off. ANd he hit the very last moneyball but released it right at the final buzzer, for 14 points. I'm not sure that last shot should have counted... Ray Allen went next. He hit nine straight shots, and was money from the top areas, finishing with 19... Chauncey Billups was up. He had a very easy-looking stroke, but damaged the rim with his misses. Billups went into the final rack with just 9 points, and finished with 12... Quentin Richardson started badly but hit the first moneyball. He nailed a few, including the moneyball, at the top of the key, and had 12 to start the final rack, missed all five and finished with 12. The finalists are Arenas, Nowitzki and Allen... Finals of the three-point shootout: Gilbert Arenas was the only player to start from the left side. He started badly, slowly picked things up, went into the final rack with 11 points, took a long second or two to focus before shooting the final moneyball, and finished with 16... Dirk Nowitzki started hot, with 13 points through the first three racks. He struggled on the fourth rack but hit the moneyball. And finished with 18... Ray Allen was OK to start but not great. He found his shot at the top of the key, hitting three plus a moneyball. But was awful on the fourth and final racks, finishing with 15 points. So, Dirk Nowitzki wins the three-point shooting, with Arenas second place and Allen third.
INTERVIEW WITH THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT WINNER DIRK NOWITZKI
Q. First question, I don't know, you might be one of the first seven footers to win this event, do you feel like what you're doing out there, not only in this competition, but your game overall is revolutionizing the game? You're one of the big guys hitting the threes now.
DIRK NOWITZKI: You know, that's kind of my game. I'm a shooter first and then everything else comes second. I'm just glad to be here.
But I think when you look at the game now, a lot of big guys can step out and make that little 16 , 17 , 18 footer, you know, the game goes away from all of the big guys posting up and dribbling ten times. It's more moving now. All of the centers in the league can shoot a little bit, too, outside the paint. I think the game goes more into a face up kind of game, and obviously that's my game, too.
Q. Can you talk about the last shot in the first round, the one that barely got you into the second round.
DIRK NOWITZKI: Yeah, I looked at the clock and I only saw a couple of seconds and I still had three balls there. So all I did, I tried to hoist them up there as quick as I can, and I don't really know if I got the last one up in time or not. All I did was just try to get rid of it as quick as I can. It got me to the second round.
You know, in the first round I never really got comfortable out there, I missed a lot of shots and never really got my rhythm. Second round, started out better. One rack kind of killed me, didn't make a second shot.
It was weird sitting there on 18, I missed the last money ball to go to 20. You have to sit there and watch Ray Allen, one of the best shooters in our game, and just sit there and can't do anything about it. It was kind of weird but I'm glad I won.
Q. You didn't think the 18 was going to hold up?
DIRK NOWITZKI: I didn't think so. Especially Ray has been doing it, he won the contest before, so I knew he was going to have a good second round. You know, I wasn't 100 percent sure, but I'm glad it lasted.
Q. It seemed like Ray lost his legs at the end of the second round, how did your legs feel at the end of the second round?
DIRK NOWITZKI: Not bad. Like I said, I had one rack, that second to the last was kind of awful, in both rounds, I don't know really know. I don't really get into analyzing too much. I couldn't really get anything going from that rack.
Other than that, I felt great. I felt a lot better in the second round than I did in the first round. I was kind of stiff in the first round and couldn't really get anything going. I'm just glad I won.
Q. Does it mean anything to you to win this, or is it just kind of fun?
DIRK NOWITZKI: Well, obviously, once you go to the All Star Game, it's really about fun and showing, you know, the fans a great time and enjoying your time here. But we're all competitors and once you start in the competition, obviously we all want to win. So obviously this is great, to win it, and it's a great feeling and bring the trophy home to Dallas.
Q. Are you going to split the money with Jason (Terry) since that last shot in the first round was disputed?
DIRK NOWITZKI: You know, before we started, we said we would love to bring the trophy to Dallas, either one of us. He was rooting for me all the way and he was actually, when the guys were shooting in the final round and he was out, he was heckling them from behind. He was my fan out there and I'm glad I won.
Paul Pierce: You know, like I said early on, I worked on it. I really took pride on it from '02 when I came in and stunk it up. This is something I really wanted to do and really wanted to show everybody that I put on a better performance and what better way than by bringing home the trophy.
