Tristan Thompson sets a pick as Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 25, 2016. (Photo : Getty Images/Jason Miller)
Aside from the All Star game itself, the three-point contest is definitely one of the most highly anticipated events in the NBA All Star Weekend. Some big names will be participating in this year's edition of the contest, including reigning champion Klay Thompson. However, his Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry has opted out of the competition despite posting the best three-point shooting of all time in the past two seasons.
Kyrie Irving was also announced to be taking part in the contest after being selected for the 2017 All Star Game. While he is not known as a deep shooter, he actually won the 2013 edition of the three-point shootout. He is currently shooting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc, which is far better than his long-range output from the previous year, SB Nation reported.
Up next is Dallas Mavericks' Wesley Matthews, who will participate in the event for the second time in his NBA career. His three-point percentage is currently at 38.1 percent, which is near what he had when he made his debut in the annual three-point shootout.
Even if he does not prevail in the competition, Kemba Walker is undoubtedly one of the most improved three-point shooters in the NBA. Long range shooting was a major weakness for the Charlotte Hornets point guard, but now he is shooting 40.2 percent from beyond the arc. Just like every other participant in this competition he is now one of the NBA's top 20 three-point shooters in terms of shots made this season.
Joining Walker as debutants in this competition are Eric Gordon and Nick Young of the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers respectively. Gordon ranks second in three-point shooting in the NBA this season with 170 shots made so far. Nick Young is father back at ninth place with 128, although this is just seven short of his career high single-season tally, according to Basketball Insiders.
C.J. McCollum and Kyle Lowry will be looking to bring the victory home to Toronto after failing in their previous attempt when the Raptors hosted the competition in 2016. McCollum currently has a 42.1 percent success rate in shooting three pointers this season. Lowry barely edges out his teammate in this department as he has shot 42.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Watch the 2016 edition of the All Star Three Point Contest in the video below:
