Isn't the point of the 3-Point Shootout to see people MAKE 3's?

OK, I was all ready to write about how ridiculous it was to have kobe bryant in the 3 Point Shootout, just because he’s a superstar, even though he’s not anywhere near the top 50 in the league in 3PT% (a robust 35%). So, what does he do? He goes out, tears a ligament in his pinky, and backs out of the competition. Perfect. The NBA gets a do-over. Now, they can make it all better, and put in a real-life, bonafide 3 point shooting ace. Maybe James Jones (48.3%, 2^nd in the NBA), maybe Anthony Parker (47.4%, 5th), maybe even a little Jason Richardson (league leading 150 3 point FG’s, 41.6%) if they want to keep the same “former dunk champ in the 3 point shootout” gimmick.

So, who gets the nod? ……. Dirk Nowitzki.

Dirk Nowitzki?!!??!

Sure, Dirk won the 2006 shootout (in less than impressive fashion, I might add). But if you were to put together a list of less deserving players to participate in an All-Star game event, it’d be a short list (Grant Hill getting voted in as a starter while not playing a single game, comes to mind).

Look at Dirk’s 3 point shooting stats for the season, and tell me he deserves to be anywhere NEAR this competition.

Name	3PM	3PA	3P%
Dirk Nowitzki	41	141	0.291

That 29.1% is good enough for 115^th best in the NBA. Out of 118 players who shoot enough 3’s to qualify. Wow. That means, that if we chose the six 3 point shootout contestants based off of worst 3 point percentage, Dirk would be invited. Arggghh.

Although, that gives me an idea to make this competition REALLY interesting…. Stay Tuned.