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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 events at All-Star Weekend where Bucks could compete

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Eastern Conference All-Star Team drives to the basket against the Western Conference All-Star Team during the NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2017 NBA All Star Weekend on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Eastern Conference All-Star Team drives to the basket against the Western Conference All-Star Team during the NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2017 NBA All Star Weekend on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. 3-Point Contest

Since Larry Bird first dominated the 3-point contest back in 1986, this event was an opportunity for true competition more than any other. The Slam Dunk Contest, for example, is a performance without real-game implications. Winning or losing doesn’t change one’s reputation in the league to any meaningful degree.

But the 3-point contest does, as it features an in-game challenge and the most palpably-measured success. Did a player hit 10 shots? Fourteen? Twenty? Some of the league’s biggest names have shown up to the 3-point contest, including Bird, Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry.

The only Milwaukee Buck to win the contest was Ray Allen back in 2001, who poured in 19 points in the final round to win. In 2016, Khris Middleton competed and lost to Klay Thompson, who holds the record for most points scored in a single round (27).

No player has won more than once since Kapono in 2007 and 2008, which leaves open a chance for a newcomer to step in and win. Middleton could return to the shootout to compete as one of the lower profile options; in recent years the NBA has slotted in a couple of non-stars to compete with the stars, as Middleton was in 2016 when he played alongside Thompson, James Harden, Stephen Curry and Kyle Lowry.

Another potential competitor is Milwaukee wing Tony Snell. The Bucks’ starting 2-guard has been automatic from downtown the past two seasons since being traded from Chicago, averaging 40.6 percent from 3-point range last season and 44 percent thus far this year. The 6’7″ player out of New Mexico could be a nice young foil to the star players often in the event.

One player who will not be picked for that contest is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is a career 27.7 percent shooter from downtown. But point guard Malcolm Brogdon shoots 40.4 percent from behind the arc, and as last year’s Rookie of the Year award winner, has some name value. Snell would be a better fit, but that doesn’t mean Brogdon won’t be asked — especially since he will be in Los Angeles already for the Rising Stars game.

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