NBABy Ben Sieck on

The NBA released the lineup for next weekend’s Foot Locker Three-Point Contest Thursday night, and the group of shooters is star-studded.

Let’s break down the race, starting with last year’s champion and the presumptive favorite, Steph Curry. (Note: All names link to each player’s full stat pages on NBA.com)

Steph Curry, Point Guard, Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

Even if you’ve been living under a rock for the last 18 months, there is still a good chance you are aware Steph Curry is the best shooter on the planet and has a good claim to the title, “Greatest shooter of all time.” Unless he gets injured before the event or has a really bad day at the office, Curry is going to repeat as champion. But here are some stats just for fun.

Curry is taking nearly 11 threes per game, and making almost 46 percent of them. James Harden is the next closest in attempts at approximately eight per game, but he is only making 34.6 percent. In fact, of the 15 other players who are attempting six or more threes a game, only one is shooting better than 40 percent. Curry’s combination of proclivity and efficiency behind the three-point arc is mind boggling.

Then there is this.

I am of the belief Curry doing insane things on the basketball court is at least 50 percent responsible for Vine’s success as an app. So here are a few before we move on to his challengers.

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/695232467570130944

https://twitter.com/BlackPplVines/status/691848476427206660

I could rattle off Steph stats all day, but I in the interest of time I will hold off for now. He’s the presumptive favorite, and it will take a herculean to knock him off.

 

Klay Thompson, Shooting Guard, Golden State Warriors

KlayThompsonWarriors_Grizzlies110913

The other half of the Splash Brothers, Thompson is probably the second-best shooter in the NBA. The Warriors are just unfair.

In the stat earlier, only one player was shooting above 40 percent while taking more than six threes a game. That player is Thompson, who fires about 7.6 attempts a game and drains 43.4 percent. There’s still a gap between him and his backcourt mate, but he is far closer than any other player in the league.

Of course, Thompson benefits from by not being the primary ball handler like Curry. Curry takes some of the distribution weight off of him, freeing up Thompson to focus on his shot. Although their catch-and-shoot numbers are surprisingly even. Curry takes almost twice as many pull-up threes, an inherently more difficult shot that can dampen his overall shooting numbers.

Thompson has the skills to keep pace, and he is probably the best candidate to prevent a repeat champion, but Curry is in another stratosphere this season. I would not count on it.

 

James Harden, Shooting Guard, Houston Rockets

Chicago Bulls v Houston Rockets

Harden jacks the second-most threes per game league wide at 7.9 per game, but his efficiency is miles behind the Splash brothers. He is making just south of 35 percent.

This will be Harden’s second appearance in the contest. Last year he finished dead last, only hitting 15 threes in a first-round exit.

He is an incredible scorer, but a straight shooting competition does not play to the Rocket star’s strengths. I would expect a similar result as last year.

 

Kyle Lowry, Point Guard, Toronto Raptors

http://gty.im/505006822

Lowry will be the hometown favorite, and he has an outside shot to make some noise in the contest. His overall numbers are impressive, 7.2 threes per game and a 39.7 hit rate, but he is really coming on as of late. It is only a three-game sample size, but Lowry is making 50 percent of his threes in February and comes off a month in which he shot over 40 percent from deep.

If you believe in a home field advantage, then Lowry certainly has one that extends beyond familiarity with his surroundings. The All Star shoots 2.4 percent better from deep at home than away. He is still looking up at the Splash Brothers at 40.9 percent, but he is certainly within striking distance. If you are looking for a dark horse candidate, Lowry is your guy.

 

Chris Bosh, Power Forward, Miami Heat 

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 28: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat shoots over Shane Larkin #0 of the Brooklyn Nets during a game at American Airlines Arena on December 28, 2015 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

This is our first, “Huh, Really? This guy?” contestant, but despite his big-man pedigree Bosh’s shooting numbers might surprise you. Bosh is only firing about four threes per game, but he is shooting at a better clip than Harden, making 36.6 percent.

The 31-year-old has enjoyed a well-decorated career, and is searching for his next skills competition to dominate after the NBA nixed the Shooting Stars competition, something Bosh was building a dynasty in.

I doubt he will have the same success in his first three-point contest, but at least the ex-Toronto star’s appearance will add a little drama to the fold. Bosh may have to deal with boos and cat calls on top of everything else.

 

J.J. Redick, Shooting Guard, Los Angeles Clippers

http://gty.im/470798288

Don’t look now, but J.J. Redick is quietly leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage. Redick is enjoying perhaps his best season as a pro, and his stroke from deep is a big reason why. The Clipper is shooting 48.2 percent from beyond the arc.

However, he loses points when compared to Curry’s attempt rate. Redick is only averaging just more than half of Curry’s attempts per game. Still, Redick has been deadly for long stretches this season. He has two months shooting 50 percent or better from deep.

This will be Redick’s second go-round in the three-point contest. Last year he exited in the first round after sinking 18 shots.

Redick will be a popular choice to unseat Curry, but I am not buying in just yet.

 

Khris Middleton, Small Forward, Milwaukee Bucks 

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles on Jamal Crawford #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center on December 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Middleton is a lesser-known name around the NBA, but he’s been surprising efficient from deep despite limited attempts. The Bucks wingman is shooting better than 41 percent, but taken just 4.8 threes per game.

Unfortunately for him, I foresee a quick first-round exit in his first three-point contest appearance.

 

Devin Booker, Shooting Guard, Phoenix Suns

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates a win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 7, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Suns defeated the Bulls 103-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Booker is the first rookie to make the competition since Curry back in 2010, and only the fourth in its history. His numbers are solid, but are really the weakest of the field. He is shooting a nice 41.7 percent from deep, but only attempts 2.8 threes per game. A first-round exit is likely in his future.

Ultimately, this is Curry’s contest to lose. He is the best shooter, perhaps ever, and I expect him to showcase this next Saturday. The contest starts at 8 p.m. ET over on TNT.

About Ben Sieck

Ben is a recent graduate of Butler University where he served as Managing Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Butler Collegian. He currently resides in Indianapolis.

View all posts by Ben Sieck