NBA 3-Point Competition: Predicting the Winner and Shooting Down the Losers

It's NBA All-Star Weekend here, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Players are tired, fans are overwhelmed, and everyone needs a break at some point. With the events coming up on Saturday and Sunday, every NBA fan is counting down the hours to see their favorite players throw it down, knock it down, and dazzle the electric crowd.

But what is everybody most excited about?

Is it the Slam Dunk Contest involving four first-time contestants, or the Taco Bell Skills Challenge?

Whatever it may be, please don't forget about the Foot Locker 3-Pt Contest.

Every year, new shooters join the vast array of one-dimensional players that is the three-point contest. If one things for sure, everyone loves watching players that can knock down shots from downtown.

In this slideshow I will be breaking down all six of this years three-point contest participants and predicting their outcomes from last place (sixth) to the winner. I hope you enjoy. Please feel free to comment below after reading.  

6. Anthony Morrow

Here is one of the more pleasant surprises the New Jersey Nets have seen this season thus far. Anthony Morrow has proven to be a solid shooting guard, and has definitely shown that he can hit outside shots on a regular basis.

Shooting an impressive 40 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 13.0 points and 2.6 rebounds, Morrow has become one of the Nets' best young offensive weapons this year. He looks to be going only up from here.

With his luck, Morrow is going to have to face off against a tough group of sharpshooters in this year's three-point contest. It's just hard to see him competing with the best of the best in the league. While he'll finish in last place in this year's contest, don't think this guy can't shoot.

5. Kevin Love

Oh, has good 'ole Kevin Love come along?

As an Oregonian myself, it has been great to see a player come out of The Beaver State and become arguably the best power forward in the game.

Besides the fact that Love is an Oregonian, he's once again putting up eye opening numbers, averaging 25 points and 14 rebounds per game, while shooting a respectable 35 percent from the three-point line, at least for a big man. 

However, let's not get too excited about the big fella competing in his first three-point competition. Love is nothing more than a spot-up shooter who shoots only when needed.

The three-point contest is a lot more than shooting open jumpers. It is a balanced mix of conditioning and concentration. Though Love has the shooting touch, it just doesn't look like he'll be able to keep up with the fast pace that of the three-point contest. 

Coming in at the fifth spot seems a little harsh, but I'm merely pointing out the strong possibility that Love won't win it, especially with the strong group he's going up against. It will still be fun to watch, and it takes nothing away from what he is as a shooter and player.

4. James Jones

Move over, champ, there won't be a repeat this year. With the likes of Ryan Anderson, Kevin Durant (a late replacement) and teammate Mario Chalmers, James Jones will be left out of the winner's circle in this years three-point contest. 

Jones is shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc, two percent better than his 40 percent career average. He is putting up a unnoticeable 3.3 points and 0.9 rebounds per game this season, which is no surprise with the limited minutes he receives. 

Don't expect the reigning champ to be holding up the trophy two years in a row because a new sheriff's coming in town, and it ain't gonna be pretty. 

Rank: 4

3. Kevin Durant

Are you surprised to see the "Durantula" so low? Well, don't get fooled by the name because Kevin Durant's numbers from long distance aren't looking so hot this season.

Of course, the three-point contest is a whole different story when looking at a shooter who has had to make these shots in front a defender, but when Durant is shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc, it just isn't impressive, even if he's taking some tough shots.

I put Durant in third for the very reason why you might put him higher, possibly to win—his competitive nature. He will shoot better than 37 percent in the contest, considering there won't be anybody in front of him, but I just don't see him winning the whole thing. This may end up as a understatement for Durant, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Rank: 3 

2. Mario Chalmers

This was a hard choice. I mean, the guy is shooting 46 percent for the year, but, for some reason, it just doesn't feel like the best shooter percentage-wise is going to win it.

Mario Chalmers is having one of the best seasons of his young career. It has been great to see him develop into the player he is today, looking back at Chalmers hitting the game-winner against the Memphis Tigers back to win the national championship game while at Kansas.

Averaging 11.1 points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game, while shooting that well from the three-point line, has not only helped the Miami Heat, but has also helped him get recognition.

Expect Chalmers to go far in this year's three-point contest, and don't be surprised if he ends up winning the competition.

1. Ryan Anderson

As Shooter said it in Hoosiers, "let it fly," and fly it has for Ryan Anderson this season. Shooting nearly four percent above his career three-point average at 43 percent, Anderson has become one of the most deadly knock-down shooters in the game today.

With Dwight Howard being double-teamed basically every time he touches the ball, it's only natural that the Orlando Magic surround him with great shooters. Though they sometimes shoot too much as a team, Anderson stands alone in the "I shoot only when I'm open" category.

Anderson is my pick to win the three-point contest this year. It's been fun to see this guy play this season, and it would be a cherry on top to see him win something this All-Star Weekend. Expect to see a great showing at this year's three-point contest. It's gonna be a good outing this year in Orlando.