All-Star Grades: 3-Point Contest
All-Star Grades: Rising Stars | Celebrity | Skills | 3-Point | Dunk
The biggest and most exciting lineup of long-range shooters in years lined up behind the arc. How well did each of them shoot?
Marco Belinelli, Spurs | Grade: C
First Round: 18
Analysis: The defending champ goes down. After pulling off the upset in 2014, Belinelli couldn't muster the magic again in this one. He finished with 18 points after shooting just 30 percent on open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers this season. You know who's happy about his early exit, though? Gregg Popovich. Belinelli got his rest.
Stephen Curry, Warriors | Grade: A+
First Round: 23
Second Round: 27
Analysis: It's Curry's world and we're just living in it. You want clutch? How about making 13 in a row in the championship round? He missed the last one just to prove he was human. His marvelous 27 in the championship round ousted fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving. Odd, but cool thing that Curry did: He shot the second ball in the rack first every time. He doesn't make sense and that's why we love him.
James Harden, Rockets | Grade: D+
First Round: 15
Analysis: Harden prefers to shoot 3-pointers off the dribble, so this isn't the best format for the MVP candidate. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey predicted a Harden victory on Twitter, but Harden couldn't deliver. He missed 8 of last 9 and the Beard got bounced in the first round. There goes the MVP trophy. (I kid, I kid).
Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers | Grade: A-
First Round: 23
Second Round: 17
Analysis: Irving has dramatically improved his set shot this season and it showed in this one. He drilled four of five in his moneyball rack in the left corner to get into the championship round, but he came up short in the finale against Curry and Thompson.
Kyle Korver, Hawks | Grade: C
First Round: 18
Analysis: A monumental upset of epic proportions. Korver was easily the best open catch-and-shoot 3-pointer in the competition, nailing 55.2 percent of such tries this season according to NBAsavant.com. Korver chose the top of the key for his money rack, which served him well, but he couldn't hit the other moneyballs and he doubled over in shame after his 18. Watch him hit his next 500 3-point shots in real games.
Wesley Matthews, Trail Blazers | Grade: B+
First Round: 22
Analysis: Matthews drew the short straw and had to be the first shooter in the event. He started out cold, missing his first three. He made eight of his last nine shots, but just missed the cut with 22 points. He is tied for the league lead in 3-pointers, so I think he's doing OK.
J.J. Redick, Clippers | Grade: D+
First Round: 16
Analysis: LineGate? Long2Gate? Who knows. Four of Redick's 3-point makes were DQ'd because he had his feet on the line. He hit 5-for-5 in Rack 4, but the line infraction did him in. We can all sleep knowing the integrity of the 3-point contest was not besmirched.
Klay Thompson, Warriors | Grade: A-
First Round: 24
Second Round: 14
Analysis: Despite being the superior catch-and-shoot Splash Brother, Thompson couldn't outlast Curry in the championship round. He went a perfect 5-for-5 on right wing and nailed seven of nine moneyballs in the first round, but he flamed out against Curry. The best shooting backcourt ever didn't disappoint.