NBA 3-Point Shootout Results 2012: Video Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Grades
The NBA's best sharpshooters were on display Saturday night in the 26th annual Three-Point Shootout.
The drama was high as Kevin Durant and Kevin Love battled in a 60-second sudden death playoff for the crown. Eventually, Love prevailed 17-14 in the finals.
Tweets of the Night
Kevin Love showed that big men can have the soft touch, and this fan known only as Tyche' Mozie thinks that separates him from the human pogo stick that is Blake Griffin.
"#3PointContest Another Reason Why Kevin Love Is Better Than Blake Griffen
— Tyche' Mozie (@ChESPN23) February 26, 2012"
LeBron James wasn't in the contest, but this guy couldn't resist taking a shot at him anyway.
"Anyone else want the ball to ricochet off the rim and hit LeBron in the face? No? Just me? Ok then #3pointcontest
— Σάκη(@Saki_elGriego87) February 26, 2012"
Elgin Smith made a great point about superstar participation on All-Star weekend.
"Superstars enter 3 point shootout. Why we can't get the same participation in dunk contest?
— Elgin Swift (@ELGINDOTCOM) February 26, 2012"
Author Clay Travis may have summed up the epic final showdown best.
"Watching Love and Durant shoot threes tonight is just freaky. Nearly seven feet with touch like that is truly amazing.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) February 26, 2012"
Must-See Highlight
Grades
Kevin Love: A
Love won two duels in the contest. First, he slayed Mario Chalmers to advance to the finals. Once he got there, he took down Durant in a high-pressure final round to claim the title. During one stretch of his final round, Love knocked down a ridiculous 8-of-9 three-pointers.
Kevin Durant: B+
Durant dramatically improved on his performance last year, and with the clock winding down, he had the opportunity to snatch the title from Kevin Love. However, he clanked 3-of-5 on the final rack to lose the playoff to Love.
James Jones: B-
The defending champ was raining threes in the first round, putting up a high score of 22. Unfortunately, he couldn't keep pace with the two Kevins in the final round.
Mario Chalmers: C+
Chalmers had the unenviable task of going first, and he didn't disappoint, racking up 18 points. Unfortunately, he lost a 24-second tiebreaker to Kevin Love and was eliminated in the first round. But it was still a pretty solid performance from the Miami point guard.
Ryan Anderson: C
The home-town Anderson put on a solid performance, but he doomed himself on the last rack. He finished the first round with 17 points.
Anthony Morrow: C-
Morrow was my pick to win coming in, but only got 14 points in the first round. Still, he gets major props for rocking the retro Drazen Petrovic jersey.
