The NBA has just announced the lineup for this year’s 3-point shooting contest at All-Star Weekend in Orlando. It is part of the Saturday night events Feb. 25 (along with the Dunk Contest and the tedious Skills Contest). Here are your contestants:
James Jones: The defending champion. Jones has seen his minutes go way down this season thanks to the Heat’s signing of Shane Battier and Mike Miller getting healthy again, but the 3-point specialist will get the chance to defend his title.
Kevin Love: Last season, Love had one of the best rebounding/3-point shooting seasons of all time, averaging 15 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7% from beyond the arc. This season, Love is shooting 36% from deep while making 1.6 threes per game.
Anthony Morrow: Morrow has been considered one of, if not the best, spot-up three-point shooter in the league since his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors. This season, the undrafted Georgia Tech product is shooting 42% from beyond the arc while making 2.2 threes per game for the Nets, and is nearly automatic when given an open three-point look. Morrow isn’t the biggest name on this list, but he’s a good bet to win the contest.
Joe Johnson: The do-it all Atlanta swingman is currently making 1.8 threes per game while shooting 35.6% from deep. Johnson hasn’t been one of the best three-point shooters in the league this season, but he’s a big name.
Mario Chalmers: Miami’s mercurial point guard has been doing an exemplary job of stretching the floor for the “big three” this season, making 2.0 threes per game while shooting a blistering 46.3% from deep. Chalmers may be a good sleeper pick, but he also might find a way to foul the other contestants while they’re taking their shots.
Ryan Anderson: Once upon a time, Anderson was considered a throw-in in a trade that sent Courtney Lee to the Nets and Vince Carter to the Magic. This year, he’s leading the NBA with 2.9 threes made per game while shooting 42.1% from deep, and making teams pay dearly every time they try to double down on Dwight Howard. He’ll also enjoy a home-court advantage, as this year’s All-Star weekend will take place in Orlando.
There’s your lineup. My money is on Morrow and his silky-smooth stroke, but I’m also disappointed that Ray Allen, who leads the NBA in career three-pointers made and is shooting a career-high 49.5% from deep this year, won’t be making an appearance. Anyways, it should be a good shootout down in Orlando.