As I sit here watching the latest NBA All-Star weekend unfold, I can't help but marvel at how the Three-Point Contest has evolved from what was once considered a sideshow into one of the main events. Having followed basketball religiously since the early 2000s, I've witnessed this transformation firsthand. The three-point shot has fundamentally changed how the game is played at both professional and amateur levels, and nowhere is this evolution more apparent than in the annual showcase of shooting precision that captivates fans every February. I remember when Ray Allen's picture-perfect form was the gold standard, but today's contestants have taken long-range shooting to almost unimaginable heights.
When we talk about three-point contest greatness, certain names immediately spring to mind. Larry Bird's legendary three-peat from 1986 to 1988 remains one of those iconic moments that older fans like myself still reminisce about. His famous "who's coming in second?" quip before winning his first title embodies the confidence—some might say arrogance—that separates good shooters from legendary ones. Bird won with scores of 22, 16, and 17 in those three victories, numbers that might not impress today's younger fans accustomed to higher totals, but context matters tremendously. The shooting conditions, ball quality, and overall approach were completely different in those days. Craig Hodges then dominated the early 90s with his own three-peat from 1990 to 1992, posting scores of 19, 17, and 16 in his victories. What many forget is that Hodges actually competed in a warm-up suit during one of his wins, a move that would be unthinkable in today's highly commercialized NBA environment.
The modern era has seen the scoring ceiling rise dramatically, thanks largely to format changes and players dedicating unprecedented time to long-range shooting. Stephen Curry's 2021 record of 31 points in the final round was absolutely breathtaking to watch live—I remember texting fellow basketball junkies that we might never see a more perfect shooting performance. But what fascinates me even more is how the contest has become increasingly specialized. Today's participants aren't just good shooters; they're scientists of the arc, calculating angles, release points, and energy expenditure with meticulous precision. The introduction of the two "Starry Range" balls worth three points each has added strategic depth that earlier contestants never had to consider. Klay Thompson's 27-point round in 2016 demonstrated how the new format could be mastered, while Devin Booker's 28 points in 2018 showed that Thompson's performance wasn't just a fluke.
While we celebrate these incredible offensive displays, I can't help but reflect on how different the defensive side of shooting has become. Watching Sumayah Sugapong's recent performance where she finished with 11 points and four rebounds but fouled out with three minutes to play reminded me that shooting under pressure—whether from defenders or the contest clock—separates practice performers from game champions. The mental fortitude required in the Three-Point Contest mirrors what players like Sugapong face when trying to contribute while in foul trouble. It's that psychological dimension that often gets overlooked when we just look at final scores. The great shooters find ways to maintain rhythm and concentration regardless of external pressures, much like how elite game shooters maintain effectiveness even when their minutes are limited by fouls.
What often gets lost in the record-breaking discussions is the sheer volume of practice these shooters put in. Having spoken with several NBA shooting coaches over the years, I've learned that contestants typically take thousands of practice shots in the weeks leading up to the event, simulating the specific rack locations and timing constraints. This specialized training has created what I like to call "contest specialists"—players who might not be the best game shooters but have optimized their technique for this particular challenge. Players like Jason Kapono, who won with 24 and 25 points in 2007 and 2008 respectively, exemplified this trend. His NBA three-point percentage never reached his contest dominance, proving that the skills, while related, aren't identical.
The internationalization of the three-point shot has been another fascinating development. When I first started watching basketball, the three-point contest was dominated by American players, but recent years have seen champions like Slovenian Luka Dončić and Latvian Dāvis Bertāns demonstrate that shooting excellence knows no borders. This global proliferation of shooting talent mirrors how the game itself has evolved, with the three-pointer becoming the great equalizer across basketball cultures. I firmly believe we're just scratching the surface of global shooting talent, and future contests will feature even more international participants.
Looking ahead, I'm convinced we'll eventually see a 40-point round—something that would have been unimaginable even a decade ago. The combination of specialized training, improved shooting mechanics, and players growing up in an era where the three-pointer is emphasized from childhood will continue pushing the boundaries. The contest has already evolved from using basic racks to incorporating LED-lit systems and specialized "money balls," and I wouldn't be surprised if future iterations introduce even more innovative elements. As much as I respect the legends of the past, today's shooters are operating at a level that would have been considered science fiction during Larry Bird's era. The three-point contest has become more than just an All-Star weekend attraction—it's a reflection of basketball's ongoing evolution and a showcase for some of the most specialized athletic talents in professional sports.