Post by kmatrixg on Nov 21, 2010 2:37:23 GMT -5
2003 SSBL 3 Point Shootout Contestants:
Eddie House
Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Eddie Jones
Allen Iverson
Gilbert Arenas
Latrell Sprewell
Tracy McGrady
Eddie House
Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Eddie Jones
Allen Iverson
Gilbert Arenas
Latrell Sprewell
Tracy McGrady
Round 1:
1. Round one was tipped off by Tracy McGrady, star for the Spurs team, averaging 40% from the 3 point line. He made his first 4 shots, however missed each of his "Money Balls", and just 4 total in the last 4 racks, finishing with 8 points total. 8 of his shots looked like they were in, before popping out.
2. Second up was Seattle guard Eddie House, who has been a crucial part of their success this season, shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc this season. House started off complete opposite of McGrady, missing 7 of his first 10 shots, while sinking both money balls. In his last 3 racks, he managed a streak of 5 straight made that helped launch him to 15 points on the final rack, while making 4 of those five, and sinking the money ball to finish with 20 points.
3. Third was All-Star Allen Iverson who is averaging a ridiculous 3 3-Pointers made per game this season on a 44% average from downtown. Surprisingly, he too struggled to get any rhythm set in the competition, with his best streak just 3 balls made. He missed 4 of his 5 money shots before finishing with 9 points.
4. Up next was career sharpshooter Ray Allen who is playing great ball for his team in the playoff hunt. Allen reeled off 6 straight made balls while making 2 of his 5 money shots to finish with 14 points in a mediocre display.
5. Hawks guard Eddie Jones, also an ASG participant, had a solid shooting performance as he finished for the 3rd best thus far, 12 points. Eddie Jones's best streak was 4 balls, and he made 3 of the five money balls.
6. Next up was forward Latrell Sprewell from the Golden State Warriors. He's having a career year (don't look now - contract year!) in nearly every aspect of his game, including his 3 point shot. Averaging just over 2 3 point shots made per game, Sprewell too, couldn't find his rhythm and went 15 shots without making a bucket - getting his 8 points on the first and last rack. He made just 1 of his money balls, the last shot, and had a high-streak of just 3 balls.
7. Second to last was 3rd year superstar Joe Johnson from Portland. It's no surprise Johnson was invited, having catapulted up the rankings over his first three seasons. Johnson is averaging an incredible 3 3 pointers made on 41% shooting. His skills were on display tonight, as he reeled off 11 straight makes including 2 money balls. He finished tied for the lead with Eddie House, scoring 20 points in Round 1.
8. The final contestant was Rookie game MVP Gilbert Arenas, who was clearly fatigued from playing just a few hours earlier. His shot looked limp, as he had a 3-Point Shootout record 11 airballs. Regardless, Arenas showed his sweet shooting touch after bombing the first two racks, putting together a streak of 4 balls before missing the money ball, which he made none of to finish with 9 points.
Round 2:
Advancing to the 2nd Round were:
Eddie House (20)
Joe Johnson (20)
Ray Allen (14)
Eddie Jones (12)
Eddie House (20)
Joe Johnson (20)
Ray Allen (14)
Eddie Jones (12)
Up first was Eddie Jones who scored 12 points in Round 1. He looked off the entire 60 seconds, as he failed to hit any money shot, and finished with an embarrassing 7 points.
Next up was Eddie House who lit Round 1 on fire with 20 points total. He did fair as he missed 4 of his 5 money shots, yet made nearly every one in between. He had two streaks of 4 straight made on the second and third racks before finishing with 14 points.
Joe Johnson brought his fire from Round 1 into the finale, scoring 15 points, but it proved too much for natural 3 point shooter Ray Allen who beat him on in the last 4 seconds, sinking his final 2 balls to break the tie with the crowd going wild.
This was Ray Allen's first 3 Point Contest Championship, and he noted that it would not be his last - being a life long fan of the competition.
Congratulations Bucks GM!
