NBA Three-Point Shootout
NBA All-Star Weekend | 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.
First Round Summary: G.Arenas 23, D.Nowitzki 20, J.Kapono 19, M.Miller 18, D.Jones 15, J.Terry 10.
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 SHOOTOUT
Three-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.
_______________________________________
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.
| Year |
Location |
Winner |
| 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 |
|
