NBA All-Star Saturday Night: Who Will Win The Foot Locker Three-Point Contest?

The dunk contest gets all the hype, but All-Star Saturday Night would not be complete without the three-point contest.

This contest showcases the most basic and important skill in basketball.  If a player can't shoot, he better be fantastic in a few other skills.  If a player can shoot, he can make a career of it.

This Saturday night, we'll see some of the league's very best shooters battle for long distance supremacy.

Before the contest begins, I'm going to look at each competitors stats and chances, and predict the winner.

Ray Allen

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 13: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics is recognized for setting the NBA three-point record before a game against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on February 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

3-Point Makes: 121

3-Point Attempts: 265

Percentage: .457

Hot Spot: Anywhere

Ray Allen is arguably the greatest three-point shooter of all-time.  He already holds the record for most threes made, and he'll soon pass Reggie Miller for most attempts as well.  Plus, his career percentage is just barely under 40.

Due to his quick release, he should be able to get through all the racks well under the time limit.  And he won't wear down toward the end of the competition.  He's one of the best conditioned athletes in the league.

Back in 2001, Allen won the contest as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.  Wouldn't it be fitting for him to win the title again during the year in which he broke the all-time threes record?

Chances:  The Favorite

Kevin Durant

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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 22, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

3-Point Makes: 91

3-Point Attempts: 269

Percentage: .338

Hot Spot: Up Top

Kevin Durant is an interesting addition to this lineup.  Everyone knows he's one of the league's best pure scorers, but many don't think of him as a three-point shooter.

His solid three-point percentage is even more impressive when you see the type of shots he puts up.  A lot of his looks are long bombs, and he often has a hand in his face.

In the confines of this contest, with no defense to worry about, Durant could be deadly.  On the other hand, he's the kind of shooter I can see catching a cold streak.

His stroke is pretty smooth and effortless, which translates well to the three-point contest.

Chances: Needs to get hot

Daniel Gibson

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 15: Daniel Gibson #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Eddie House #55 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on December 15, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

3-Point Makes: 86

3-Point Attempts: 194

Percentage: .404

Hot Spot: Corners

The Cavaliers have been tragically bad this year.  However, Daniel Gibson is enjoying the best individual season of his career.

He's in the top five in the league in three-point percentage, but his shot type may lead to him wearing down.  He typically gets way off the floor for a jump shot, and his legs may get tired.

Chances: Might make the second round, but will tucker out.

James Jones

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 22: James Jones #22 of the Miami Heat shoots a jumpshot during a game against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena on January 22, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

3-Point Makes: 93

3-Point Attempts: 220

Percentage: .423

Hot Spot: Corners

James Jones has almost made Miami's Mike Miller signing look like a mistake.  Miller was brought in to stretch the floor and open things up for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.  Jones has done a great job with that task.  He's made 109 field goals this year and 93 of them have been threes.

Not many people will be picking him, but his smooth stroke could surprise a lot of people.

Chances: Dark horse

Paul Pierce

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 25, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

3-Point Makes: 75

3-Point Attempts: 195

Percentage: .385

Hot Spot: Wings

The defending champion has a great chance to take home his second straight title.  If Pierce were to win this year, he'd join fellow repeat champs Larry Bird, Craig Hodges, Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek, Peja Stojakovic and Jason Kapono (Bird and Hodges were threepeat champs).

His shot can be a bit slow at times, but other than that, it's pretty much tailored for the three-point shootout.  His shot is pretty much set and consistent.

Chances: Good

Dorell Wright

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Dorell Wright #1 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Indiana Pacers at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or usi

3-Point Makes: 135 

3-Point Attempts: 337

Percentage: .401

Hot Spot: Wings, Up Top

Dorell Wright is enjoying a breakout season.  He's averaging career highs in points, assists and rebounds, and he's one of the favorites for the league's Most Improved Player Award.

He leads the league in three-pointers made this year, and he's shooting nearly 40 percent from long distance.

Wright may be considered an underdog by many, but I think his chances are great.

Chances: Look out!

And The Winner Is...

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LAS VEGAS - FEBRUARY 17: Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics reacts during the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Will Paul Pierce repeat?

Ray Allen

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 10: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics salutes the cheering fans after he broke the NBA 3-point record in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER:

Nope!

I anticipate a final of Ray Allen and Dorell Wright, with Allen narrowly edging Wright for the trophy.

Like I said on Allen's individual slide, it seems fitting for Allen to take home this title in the same season that he broke the record for career three-point makes.

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