Just Warming Up!

For 24 years, the NBA has hosted a 3 point contest for the All Stars throughout the league.

Two specific years stand out to me, mainly because they involve two home town heroes.

In 1988, Larry Bird won his third consecutive trophy as the 3 point champion.
He beat out 7 other all stars... winning in the final round on the last ball.

Just a couple days ago Paul Pierce faced off against 5 other athletes in the 2010 3 point shootout in Dallas.
Pierce was the first contestant to shoot and ended with 17 points. That was enough to advance him to the final round where he threw up and put down 20 points, beating out Stephen Curry and Chauncey Billups.

There a few occurrences during these two shootouts that make them so memorable.
In Larry Birds contest he was so confident that he was going to win that he walked through the locker room before the event asking the other players, "So who's going to lose to me tonight?"

Not only did he talk the talk but he walked the walk... or shot the shot in this incident.

For Paul Pierce... NOBODY THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO WIN!! Every announcer was even saying how they weren't picking Pierce because he was more of a player than a shooter. Last time I checked Paul Pierce is number one in 3 point shots for the Celtics... with over 1400 made. I'd say he qualifies. This is saying a lot considering Bird had the three point line available to him throughout his entire NBA career. Pierce also made all 5 money balls which no one else seemed to do Saturday night.

The greatest thing about the two nights, which are seperated by 22 years, is the fact that BOTH players never took off their warm up suits. Paul and Larry didn't even find it necessary to take of their so called "coat and stay a while." It was more like "Here I am, why bother shooting, I'm going to win, where's my trophy?" It was just amazing to see Pierce do the exact same thing Bird did and finish with the exact same result.

Maybe next year everyone should keep their warm up stuff on, it could make for a very interesting or high scoring night.

Fun facts about the 3 point shootout:

Bird and Pierce are both in the top ten for highest scoring last round. (22 and 20)

Bird won the event 3 out of 4 times. (Pierce's number is 34)

Danny Ainge, Dale Ellis, Craig Hodges, Mark Price, Detlef Schrempf, Byron Scott, Trent Tucker, Chauncey Billups, Daequan Cook, Stephen Curry, Channing Frye, and Danilo Gallinari did not wear warm up suits for either of the contests.