The NBA 3-Point Shooting Contest has grown into an exciting event in the All-Star Weekend Festivities, thanks to the prominence given to it by top All-Stars over the years.
It is an event that does not need fixing. Still, the league must now allow the contest to lose its steam by making sure that the participants are the best of the best.
Usually, the NBA 3-Point Shooting Contest invites the top stars and rising stars.
To continue making the event exciting, here's who the league needs to invite. The list combines established superstars and players who have proven themselves as a threat beyond the arc this season.
1. Damian Lillard
The defending champ should be able to defend his title. The eight-time All-Star won the 3-Point Shootout while still with the Portland Trailblazers, and now that he is with the Milwaukee Bucks, he has not lost a beat.
The three-point line is his territory. He showed it best when he hit the buzzer-beating shot against the Sacramento Kings last Monday.
He currently averages 25.2 points per game on 42.9 percent shooting.
Read more: Does LeBron James Deserve a Statue in Miami?
2. Malik Beasley
Teams have sent two representatives before, so it would not be wrong to have two Bucks in the contest.
Beasley is currently the league leader in 3-point shooting percentage, with 48.1 percent on 6.3 attempts per game.
3. Coby White
The Chicago Bulls missed Zach Lavine for several games, but his absence was hardly felt as Coby White stepped up big-time for him. For a stretch, White shot the lights out from the 22-foot line.
The 23-year-old is growing into a vital rotation player for the Bulls. Maybe an All-Star.
DeRozan with the 360 pass to Coby White 👀
Coby’s last 6 games
26 PTS, 11 AST, 7 REB
27 PTS, 8 AST, 5 3PT
33 PTS, 6 REB, 6 3PT
24 PTS, 6 AST, 5 3PT
19 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST
31 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST
pic.twitter.com/rkRQkd9Wg7— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 15, 2023
He averages 18.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.9 APG this season. He averages at least three made threes and 7.2 attempts per game, shooting 40.2 percent.
4. Stephen Curry
Curry should be in the 3-point shootout contest until he retires as a tribute to his legacy. He changed the game. He made shooting from a distance normal. For that, the league should make him a participant each year.
The Golden State Warriors may be struggling now, but his form remains formidable. He currently averages 26.7 ppg and makes 4.5 threes per game on 39.7 percent shooting.
5. Jalen Williams
The Oklahoma City Thunder's rise is led by MVP candidates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, but Jalen Williams' role should not go unnoticed.
Williams will probably not get an All-Star call-up, but he should be in the 3-point contest as one of the deadliest shooters out there. He shoots 44.4 from the three.
Honorable mentions:
1. Luka Doncic - The Mavs star's slow shooting style is a joy to watch.
2. Norman Powell - The Clippers' Sixth Man and with how his team is playing right now, Powell deserves a shout-out.
3. Derrick White - His stock is rising this season. He may become an All-Star. Taking him to the contest is a good move.
4. Jayson Tatum - He makes eight attempts per game from beyond the arc and makes at least 3.
5. Jalen Brunson - The New York Knicks leader is yet to join the 3-point shooting contest. He just gets better each year and deserves to be invited.
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