The NBA All-Star 2018 JBL Three-Point Competition was by far the most anticipated event of the night.
In today’s modern NBA the JBL Three-Point competition has quickly become the highlight of All-Star Saturday. Despite Warriors guard Steph Curry declining to participate in the event. On paper there was no shortage of shooters.
Last year the event had all you could ask for in a competition. It had suspense, an upset, and a bonus round. Eric Gordon was the eventual winner after going an extra round with Kyrie Irving.
This season although Thunder Nation may be disappointed, the night did produce a record which a previous champion came close to matching.
Without further ado, let’s get into this years competition.
The Participants:
Eric Gordon:
Reigning champ Rockets Eric Gordon is looking to become the first player to repeat as champion since Jason Kapono (2007-08). Gordon is shooting 33.4 percent from deep (84th) among qualified players. Gordon is has the lowest three-point percentage among all eight competitors
Klay Thompson:
Previous winner Klay Thompson of the Warriors leads the NBA in three-point percentage shooting a whooping 45.5 percent from deep.
Devin Booker:
Two years ago as a rookie Devin Booker lit it up in his first foray into the event. But, that season Klay Thompson and Steph Curry went at each other in Toronto. This season the Suns sniper is shooting 38.3 percent from three-point territory (46th).
Wayne Ellington
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Believe it or not the Heat’s Wayne Ellington although not a household name is their most reliable shooter. Most fans probably rolled their eyes once it was known Ellington was going to compete. However, Ellington is shooting 38.7 percent from distance tied for (36th).
Kyle Lowry:
Raptors All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry is shooting 38.9 percent from downtown tied for (35th).
Bradley Beal of the Wizards is shooting 37.0 percent three-point range tied for (60th).
Tobias Harris:
New Clippers sharpshooter Tobias Harris did not excite many when the participants were announced. Yet Harris is one of three players participating players shooting 40 percent or better from deep. Harris is shooting 40.2 percent from distance tied for (18th).
Paul George:
OKC Thunder wing Paul George is the only member of the Thunder taking part in All-Star Saturday night. George is shooting 43.3 percent from beyond the arc tied for (3rd). If George finishes the season shooting above 40 percent, he will be the first Thunder player to shoot 40 percent or better from three with 400 or more attempts.
*all stats via NBA.com, minimum 200 attempts
The Set Up:
Eight contestants shoot from five locations on the court. Five racks contain six balls with the last ball being worth two points. This ball is referred to as the ‘money ball’ and one of the five racks contains all money balls.
The player determines which area of the court this rack will be positioned. Each participant has one minute to get up their 30 shots. The top three scores move on to round two and barring a tie the highest score determines the winner. In the event of tie in any round the players play an additional round to break the tie.
Round 1:
Gordon: 12
Thompson: 19
Booker: 19
George: 9
Ellington: 17
Harris: 18
Lowry: 11
Beal: 15
Round 2:
Harris: 17
Thompson: 25
Booker: 28
2018 JBL Three-Point Competition Winner: Devin Booker
OKC Thunder Participants:
Paul George competed in the event for the first time in his career. Needless to say, George probably wishes he could have that performance back. He finished with only nine points, the worst score of the night.
It is not all bad news Thunder Nation, Russell Westbrook thoroughly enjoyed his teammates performance. Westbrook sat Courtside laughing during and after PG finished his first and final round.