Sacrament Kings guard Buddy Hield walked away victorious in the 2020 MTN Dew 3-Point contest on NBA All-Star Weekend
This year the NBA added a new flare to the MTN Dew 3-Point contest. Introducing the Dew Zone as it was referred to on TNT broadcast, which was a deep range 3-point shot. The addition threw some player’s rhythm. However, that was not a problem for eventual 3-point champion Buddy Hield.
The Participants:
- Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks: Career 3-point percentage: 43.0 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 47.6
- Duncan Robinson – Miami Heat: 3-point percentage: 42.7 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 44.4
- Zach LaVine – Chicago Bulls: 3-point percentage: 37.7 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 42.9
- Buddy Hield – Sacramento Kings: 3-Point percentage: 41.0 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 39.6
- Joe Harris – Brooklyn Nets: 3-point percentage: 42.3 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 43.0
- DeVonte’ Graham – Charlotte Hornets: 3-point percentage: 35.6 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 41.1
- Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns: 3-point percentage: 35.5 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 39.8
- Davis Bertans – Washington Wizards: 3-point percentage: 41.0 — Catch and Shoot percentage: 43.4 percent
Oddly enough, the worst catch and shoot shooter won the 3-point contest, and the best made the fewest amount of shots on the evening, talk about a statistical oddity.
https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1228866232788455424?s=20
Round 1:
- Young – Atlanta Hawks: Score: 15
- Robinson – Miami Heat: 19
- LaVine – Chicago Bulls: 23
- Hield – Sacramento Kings: 27
- Harris – Brooklyn Nets: 22
- Graham – Charlotte Hornets: 18
- Booker – Phoenix Suns: 27
- Bertans – Washington Wizards: 26
It was a close contest, but Hield edged out former 3-Point champ Devin Booker by a single money ball. Booker came out firing, and he posted the highest score of the first round with 27 points. Until Hield matched his 27. Although reigning 3-Point champ Joe Harris crossed the 20-point plateau, it was not enough to defend his title in the final round.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1228868903314415617?s=20
Final Round:
- Hield – Sacramento Kings: 27
- Booker – Phoenix Suns: 26
- Bertans – Washington Wizards: 22
I want Buddy to go put that trophy in Luke Walton’s office
— Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) February 16, 2020
Winner:
Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
Hield’s 3-point contest win felt like a statement from 27-year-old King’s shooting guard. For some unknown reason, King’s head coach Luke Walton has removed Hield from the starting lineup. If removing one of the team’s best players from the starting lineup is Walton’s bright idea to get his 21-33 Kings on the right track, it’s safe to say Walton’s job is in jeopardy.
For what it’s worth, the King’s have gone 6-4 since Hield shifted to the bench. Perhaps, Walton is making an effort to get more scoring and a ball-handler on the hardwood with his second unit. Either way, staggering would likely be a better option than benching your now 3-Point champion.