NBA Three Point Contest: The contestants and probable winner

It would have been cool to see Dirk Nowitzki in the three-point shooting contest this yearSome have begun to say that the three-point shootout has surpassed the dunk contest in likeability, with teams continually shooting more and more threes per season. With so many teams devoting time and energy to the three, we have more players than ever who are practising the three and it is leading to better depth among the true marksmen.This year’s contest has many fans salivating over what could be shooters throwing haymakers back and forth with each other. It is poised to be a very exciting contest that has all of the viewers on the edge of their seats.The contestants are a good mix of younger and older, star power and players in the NBA’s outskirts looking to show the world who they are. There are five All-Stars and one rookie in the shootout, as well as teammates. Let’s dive in and see the contestants.

#1 The Splash Brothers

The Splash Brothers are made for the three-point competition

Stephen Curry (245 threes, 1st in league): As if we were going to begin with any other person than Steph. He’s the best shooter in the game, and it’s basically unanimous that he is the favorite on Saturday night. If he doesn’t win it is a shock.

He is on pace to reset the record for threes in a season (only 41 away), as well as another MVP. He can get in such a rhythm and has such a quick release that he can breeze through the rounds in this competition and not break a sweat. I’m excited to see what he has in store for Saturday night.

Klay Thompson (161 threes, 2nd): If it wasn’t for his teammate, Klay Thompson might be considered the best shooter in the league with the volume and degree of difficulty of his threes. He is shooting 42% from threes and has the picture perfect stroke.

Where Steph can look like he’s just flicking the ball at the hoop, Klay’s jumper is taken right out a textbook or instructional video. He wastes little effort getting the shot off and maximize the efficiency of his movements. He can get into an easy rhythm and breeze right through the rack and post a very high score.

#2 The \"Old\" Guys

JJ Redick and Chris Bosh are the oldest contestants

Chris Bosh (81 threes): Probably the most interesting entrant in the group, the classic big guy who seems a little out of place among all the guards in this competition. Bosh has recreated himself into a more than viable three point threat during his Miami Heat career.

In the last month, coinciding with the Heat’s downturn in play, Bosh has been slumping from three shooting 31%, something that is a little disappointing. But Bosh is a perennial All-Star who doesn’t project to have the slump carry over into a glorified shooting drill. Plus, he’s a lefty and those guys can always shoot when it matters.

J.J. Redick (130 threes, 7th): The other “oldie” (both players are over 31) is having a career year in what is his 10th year in the league. With Blake Griffin out, he has, combined with his teammates, upper his play to make up for the loss of the perennial All-Star.

For awhile in mid-January, he was shooting a blistering 50%, though he has cooled off some and is now at 47%, good for second in the league. J.J. stands a good chance to take this competition, and it would go hand in hand with his play this season.

#3 The Studs

Kyle Lowry and James Harden are two All-Stars

James Harden (155 threes, 3rd): The MVP runner-up from last season is just as liable to come out and smoke this competition. While he is not at the top in terms of accuracy at 35%, he is still a very prolific shooter.

What I like best for this competition, and it’s something you see on a nightly basis, is that he can lock in, up his focus, and just get in a shooting zone where he seemingly knocks down everything. And once he gets cooking, there is no stopping Harden. He’s also a lefty, like Bosh, and you already know what I said about lefties.

Kyle Lowry (145 threes, 5th): The hometown favorite, Lowry has been a stud this year and has the Toronto Raptors rolling into the All-Star break. He is starting the All-Star game and will have all of Toronto at full throat when he steps up to the rack the first time.

This is a guy who loves the challenge and will come out firing. Don’t count him out wanting to come out and prove a point against Stephen Curry, as you just know Lowry will want to prove himself as the best point guard anyway he can.

#4 The New Guys

Devin Booker is a sweet-shooting rookie

Khris Middleton (103 threes, 19th): Fresh off of signing a $70 million contract in the offseason, Middleton got off to a slow start this season, much like his own Milwaukee Bucks, but has started to pick up his game of late. However, his three-point shooting has gone opposite the way of his overall game.

He is shooting 31% over the last month and is worrying me a little bit about how he is going to come out on Saturday. He is the only Buck participating in All-Star weekend and will no doubt want to have a good showing. I saw the first rack determines how his contest go.

Devin Booker (56 threes): If there is one en vouge rookie outside of Karl-Anthony Towns among hardcore NBA fans, Devin Booker is that rookie. Playing for a Suns team that has lost 24 of their last 26, nobody is really paying attention to what this teenager is doing.

He is cashing in 40% of his threes this season and averaging 17 points a game over the last month. He looks like one of the many gems from the 2015 Draft, and it is only right he gets to represent them on Saturday night. Like Middleton, I think the first rack will determine how he does in the contest.

#5 And the Winner Is...

Just like in the dunk contest, we will have repeat winner

First Round: Chris Bosh, Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton, Kyle Lowry

While all of these guys are great three point shooters, someone has to go in the first round and these are my picks. Honestly, there isn’t anything scientific about my methods, but I do think Lowry is going to feel a little bit of the pressure of the hometown fans.

As for Klay, I just sense an off day, while Middleton isn’t ready for his ‘all eyes on him’ moment and Bosh continues his slump.

Semifinals Devin Booker, James Harden, J.J. Redick

Look, I wanted to pick the rook to take down the whole competition, but he’s going to have to settle for the semifinals, as I think he’ll come in second. I love watching teenagers succeed and I just think Booker has a good makeup about him.

Harden wants to rub some of the taste out of the first half of the season, while Redick puts to bed his gaffe last year of standing on the line for multiple attempts.

Champion: Stephen Curry

I really wanted to put Booker here, but I’m not going to let Stephen Curry beat me at his own game. He is on pace to make 400 threes this season so what is 50 more to on Saturday.