Chapter 207 All-Star Weekend (Part 2)

The second day of the All-Star Weekend was the day with the most events. The Shooting Stars Competition, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest kept the fans at the venue thoroughly entertained.

However, after the ESPN report came out, the Three-Point Contest on this day was definitely the most anticipated competition for everyone.

Kevin Durant and Tang Tian, one the second-best small forward in the league after LeBron James, and the other a rising star, made for an absolute spectacle.

The Shooting Stars Competition started earliest, at 10 a.m. The arena was already packed an hour in advance, with fans eager for time to pass quickly.

The Shooting Stars Competition also served as a warm-up event, essentially testing long-range three-point ability.

Texas also sent a team this time, with the impressive Rockets rookie Chandler Parsons, Rockets legend and TNT ace commentator Kenny Smith, and WNBA San Antonio Silver Stars player Sophia Young competing together.

Texas made it to the final, but ultimately lost to the star-studded New York team.

Kenny Smith was teased to death by Barkley in the commentary booth, but Parsons' appearance drew cheers from fans, especially female fans.

There weren't many NBA players who were both good-looking and played well, and Parsons, being white, attracted a lot of fans.

Immediately after the Shooting Stars Competition was the Skills Challenge.

Tang Tian, ​​because he was about to participate in the Three-Point Contest later, sat in the front row to cheer on his teammate Tony Parker.

This season, with Tim Duncan aging further and Manu Ginobili injured, Parker's status in the Spurs team had improved a lot, and his form was also very good.

In the end, he successfully defeated a group of opponents, including Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, Kyrie Irving, and John Wall, to win the Skills Challenge championship.

"It's up to you next."

After the award ceremony, Parker held the trophy in one hand and patted Tang Tian on the shoulder with the other.

Only two players from the Spurs came to the All-Star game this time. His goal had been achieved, and now it was Tang Tian's turn.

Although the Spurs had a simple style of play and the players were low-key, they still won the honors they deserved.

Tang Tian nodded with a smile, his confidence was much greater than Parker's.

The staff began to bring out the balls for the Three-Point Contest, and the fans at the scene couldn't wait to cheer.

After waiting all morning, the foreplay was more than enough, and now they couldn't wait to get to the main event.

With the fans' high level of attention, the "Four Heavenly Kings" in the commentary booth also began to warm up in advance.

"Kenny, we all know you are the 'Godfather's' nephew, do you think your uncle can win this focus battle tonight?"

Barkley was really sharp-tongued. He had been teasing Smith about losing the Shooting Stars Competition earlier, and now he was using it to make fun again.

"He is the 'Godfather', he will definitely win."

Kenny Smith replied very seriously.

"But he's not wearing makeup now."

Barkley reminded.

"He can still win."

Smith's answer immediately made everyone in the commentary booth laugh.

Barkley had a big mouth and said everything, and Smith talked nonsense in a serious manner. There was a reason why they could become TNT's ace and best partner.

"I don't think it matters much whether Tang wins or not, but Durant must win, otherwise..."

Miller only said half of his words, but the other three nodded one after another.

Durant's status in the league was incomparable to Tang Tian's current status.

Now he was using a small account to criticize people, wanted revenge, and there was also the relationship with the endorsement brand. If he lost, he might really not be able to save face.

The staff at the scene were almost ready, and the contestants were introduced one by one by the host.

Ryan Anderson, the player Tang Tian and Yi Jianlian had mentioned in their chat as one of the latter's models, had made 80 three-pointers this season, second only to Tang Tian.

He was also a member of the Magic team, and received warm cheers from the team when he came on the court this time.

James Jones was the champion of last year's Three-Point Contest, and he was participating this year as the defending champion.

Although Kevin Love's three-point shots made and percentage were not eye-catching, he had been in hot form this season and was a force to be reckoned with.

Anthony Morrow was a top three-point shooter with a career three-point percentage of over 44%. He also had a game in February against the Timberwolves where he made eight three-pointers.

The remaining two were the absolute protagonists of tonight, Durant and Tang Tian.

Tang Tian's three-point percentage ranked first this season, as high as 50%, and he also made the most three-pointers, reaching 90, averaging 2.8 per game.

Shooting so many and still shooting so accurately, he was definitely the most qualified player to enter the Three-Point Contest this year.

Durant's three-point percentage this season reached 38.7%, second only to his second year as a rookie, and he also averaged 2, a very impressive performance.

Of course, the most important thing was not these stats, but because his name was Kevin Durant, and superstars performed even better in crucial games.

The cheers Tang Tian and Durant received when they came on the court even exceeded Anderson's, showing how much the fans were looking forward to it.

After the contestants were introduced, it was time for warm-up and the start of the competition.

The order of appearance was determined by a draw by the organizing committee. Durant was the first to appear, and Tang Tian was the last to appear as the finale.

This order of appearance whetted the fans' appetites right from the start.

The rules of the Three-Point Contest were very simple: five spots in total: the left corner, the left forty-five-degree angle, the arc, the right forty-five-degree angle, and the right corner.

Five balls at each spot, four ordinary balls and one money ball. A regular ball was worth 1 point, and a money ball was worth 2 points.

The scores were tallied within one minute, and the top three scores advanced to the second round final. The rules of the final were the same as the preliminary round, and the highest score won the championship.

If there was a tie in the competition, there would be a tiebreaker for the qualification spots.

After a brief warm-up, both Tang Tian and Durant only symbolically shot a few balls.

When the warm-up ended, a long whistle sounded along with the cheers of the fans, and the game was about to begin.

Durant walked to the right corner spot, reached out to get ready, and the audience was watching.

Burt's Bees vice president Winslow also came to the scene. He was watching the field intently at this moment, and no one cared more about this game than him.

"Beep!"

With a whistle, Durant began his competition.

He used a jump shot, which saved time and maintained accuracy.

"Swish!"

The feel of his first shot was very good, and it went directly into the net cleanly.

There was a burst of whistles at the scene.

Durant was full of confidence in the interview yesterday, it seemed he was well prepared for this Three-Point Contest.

Winslow looked a little nervous at this time.

He had strongly recommended seeking out Tang Tian after Durant turned them down. If Durant really won this Three-Point Contest, he would be under a lot of pressure from the board of directors.