In recent years, the dunk contest has taken a back seat to the three point contest. Due to the lack of the league’s top talent participating, cough cough LeBron James, the three point challenge has become my personal favorite event of All-Star weekend. This year is no different, with some of the league’s top shooters competing head to head. We have the defending champ, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, Khris Middleton, Kyle Lowry, Devin Booker, CJ McCollum, and JJ Redick. All of the players competing have proven themselves to be high level sharpshooters, even Devin Booker, the rookie who’s already shown to be one of the steals of the draft.
Last year, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson met each other in the finals of the contest, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see both of them back there again. Arguably two of the best shooters that the league has ever seen(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cBjkGtQ9Yc), both players have the ability to shoot off of the dribble and to catch and shoot. It’s really hard to separate these two because they are so much alike, even when they get into a rhythm both go to the stratosphere. However, I believe that Klay isn’t quite as good at shooting off the dribble, so the edge goes to Steph. He’ll repeat as champ and break the record for the competition. Just the cherry on top of the amazing season he has strung together so far.
Although I believe Chef Curry is the clear cut favorite to win, if he has an off night, it really becomes anyone’s game to win. But, there are two players who I believe have the best outside chance to dethroning the three point king. JJ Redick, the man who revitalized the hatred of Duke when he was in college, is having a career year thus far(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFPK-iODifo). With career highs of 48% and an average of three 3’s a game, I think he could continue his hot streak and beat out the Splash Brothers to win. The other man in the room would be rookie Devin Booker. Picked 13th overall in the 2015 draft, Booker excelled at Kentucky as an outside shooter and was a vital part of their platoon system. So far in the NBA, Booker has come into his own. With teammate TJ Warren going down earlier this year, Booker has increased his minutes and with that more chances to play on the biggest stage, leading to his selection to be a part of the three point contest this year.
Winner: Steph Curry
Runner Up: Klay Thompson
Dark Horses: JJ Redick and Devin Booker
Last year, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson met each other in the finals of the contest, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see both of them back there again. Arguably two of the best shooters that the league has ever seen(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cBjkGtQ9Yc), both players have the ability to shoot off of the dribble and to catch and shoot. It’s really hard to separate these two because they are so much alike, even when they get into a rhythm both go to the stratosphere. However, I believe that Klay isn’t quite as good at shooting off the dribble, so the edge goes to Steph. He’ll repeat as champ and break the record for the competition. Just the cherry on top of the amazing season he has strung together so far.
Although I believe Chef Curry is the clear cut favorite to win, if he has an off night, it really becomes anyone’s game to win. But, there are two players who I believe have the best outside chance to dethroning the three point king. JJ Redick, the man who revitalized the hatred of Duke when he was in college, is having a career year thus far(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFPK-iODifo). With career highs of 48% and an average of three 3’s a game, I think he could continue his hot streak and beat out the Splash Brothers to win. The other man in the room would be rookie Devin Booker. Picked 13th overall in the 2015 draft, Booker excelled at Kentucky as an outside shooter and was a vital part of their platoon system. So far in the NBA, Booker has come into his own. With teammate TJ Warren going down earlier this year, Booker has increased his minutes and with that more chances to play on the biggest stage, leading to his selection to be a part of the three point contest this year.
Winner: Steph Curry
Runner Up: Klay Thompson
Dark Horses: JJ Redick and Devin Booker