The NBA All-Star 3-point contest, a beloved tradition, is turning 40 this year. It's a contest that has evolved over the years, but its core remains: sink as many of the 27 shots as you can in 70 seconds, with the most points winning. What we love about it is the pure competition, the celebration of shooting skill, and the unpredictability of who might win. But what we'd like to see again are some of the iconic moments from the past. Larry Bird's dominance in the inaugural contest, despite not being a big 3-point shooter, set the tone for the event's competitive nature. Craig Hodges' three-peat, and the legendary Ray Allen's pure jumper in D.C. in 2001, are memories we cherish. Peja Stojakovic's automatic shooting and Buddy Hield's fun-loving approach to the contest are also favorites. However, we'd like to see more of the NBA/WNBA 3-point shootout, with the best shooters from both leagues competing. Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu's battle in 2024 was a highlight, and we'd love to see more of these interleague competitions. Norm Powell, a Heat player, is a favorite to win this year, and we'd love to see him bring another title back to Miami. The contest needs a star-studded addition like LeBron James or Ja Morant to boost its appeal. And while we love the dunk contest, we'd like to see the 3-point contest take center stage again, with the best shooters in the game competing for the ultimate glory.
