CHARLOTTE – Three years ago, Joe Harris got waived.
Tonight, he beat the greatest shooter of all-time in the NBA’s 3-point contest.
Harris posted a 26-point final round, topping Stephen Curry’s 24 and Buddy Hield’s 19, to win the middle event of All-Star Saturday Night.
“I think you look at the makeup of our Brooklyn Nets team, and it’s a lot of guys that were sort of cast off and had a second opportunity,” said Harris, who washed out with the Cavaliers then got sent to the Magic in a trade-and-waive. “I personally was one of those guys.
“I got lucky going into a situation, going to a Nets organization that had such a strong value and emphasis on culture, skill development. And I’m sort of a byproduct of that system.”
Even as he has gained prominence in Brooklyn, it wasn’t certain Harris would get invited to the 3-point contest. He’s making 47% of his 3-pointers this season, but Spurs forward Davis Bertans is shooting 48% from beyond the arc on nearly as many attempts per game and didn’t get invited. In the greatest 3-point shooting era ever, spots in this event are hard to come by.
So, Harris made a promotional video to aid his campaign. He said the Nets and his agency pushed it.
“Obviously, I was all for it,” Harris said. “I think to experience All-Star is quite unique.”
Full results
Round 1
Stephen Curry 27
Buddy Hield 26
Joe Harris 25
Danny Green 23
Devin Booker 23
Damian Lillard 17
Dirk Nowitzki 17
Seth Curry 16
Kemba Walker 15
Khris Middleton 11
Round 2
Joe Harris 26
Stephen Curry 24
Buddy Hield 19