Today we have one of my favorite events, the 3 points competition.

It consists of 6 players:

Klay Thompson (Chicago Bulls), Devin Booker (Los Angeles Clippers), Wayne Ellington (Charlotte Hornets), Eric Gordon (Golden State Warriors), Tobias Harris (Houston Rockets) and Bradley Beal (Toronto Raptors).

The players all congregated in the middle for a bit of pre competition banter, before getting down to business.

Klay Thompson was our first man out of the rack from the Chicago Bulls. Klay has been in great form in the NLL shooting 45% from deep and ranking 3rd in the NLL for made 3 point shots. After starting out slow hitting 2 shots from the 1st rack, 2nd rack Klay started to get his rhythm hitting 3 of 5 including the money ball. Klay struggled from this point onwards, draining 2 of 5 from up top and only 1 shot in the 4th rack. The all-important money ball rack, Klay was able to drain 2 shots, to finish off with 14 points.

Devin Booker was our second competitor from the Los Angeles Clippers. Devin hasn't had a strong year from deep in the NLL, shooting 33% and ranks 28th for 3 points made. Devin started off strong, draining 3 of 5 on the 1st rack including the money ball. Devin slowed at this point, hitting only 2 shots on the 2nd rack and only a single basked in the next 2 racks combined to give him a running tally of 7 points. Devin either comes up big or goes home on the money rack, he came up big, splashing his final 4 shots to give him a total score of 15 points and into the lead.

Wayne Ellington is our third competitor from the Charlotte Hornets. Wayne is currently playing for his 3rd team this season, shooting 36% from deep and ranks outside the top 50 in 3 point shooting with 74 splashes. Wayne started with 2 from 5 on the 1st rack, including a money ball. On the next 3 racks, Wayne was consistent, hitting 3 from 5, the only blimp, he drained the money ball once. Onto the final rack in a great position, Wayne hits the 1st moneyball to put him on 15 points and the equal leader. Ellington went ice cold, missing his remaining 4 money ball shots to finish on 15 points.

Eric Gordon of the Golden State Warriors is our fourth contestant. Eric hasn't yet lined up for the Warriors, is onto his 3rd team this season, has shot 37% this season and is ranked 24th in the NLL for made 3 point shots. Eric was slow to start with, hitting 1 of his first 4 shots. He then lit it up, draining 7 shots in a row including 2 moneyballs. A quiet spell on Racks 3 and 4 hitting only 2 shots before finishing strongly on the moneyball rack with 3 of 5. Gordon goes into the lead with a score of 18.

Tobias Harris of the Houston Rockets is our fifth player to compete. Tobias has struggled in the NLL from deep, shooting at 33% and draining only 46 shots this season. Tobias was consistent early, hitting 2 shots from each of his first 3 racks. On the 4th rack, he seem to hit fire, knocking down 4 of 5 including the money ball. That effort seems to have left him spent as he only made 1 shot on the money ball rank, leaving him with a score of 14 points and no longer in the competition.

Bradley Beal of the Toronto Raptors is our remaining contestant. Bradley has had a great season from deep so far, he is 2nd in the NLL for 3 points made, shooting at 41%. Bradley started off great, hitting 6 of his first 9 shots and looking favoured to take the lead. I have a feeling this big night before started to hit home, and Bradley was only able to score 3 remaining shots from 16 attempts, leaving a total score of 11 points and heading back to the bar.

We move onto the second round with our 3 finalists

Devin Booker gets the first opportunity, and doesn't disappoint. Devin started strong and that continues for the first 3 racks, scoring on 10 of a possible 15 shots including 2 moneyballs. On the 4th rack, we see a little fatigue with only 2 shots going in before finishing off strongly with 3 shots from the moneyball rack. Devin finishes with 20 points and our highest score of the night so far.

Next we see Wayne Ellington, who was level with Devin to progress to the final round. Wayne was absolutely ice cold in this one, draining only 4 shots in 4 racks. Lucky he shot 2 moneyballs in the final rack, but still ends up with our lowest score of the night with 9 points.

Eric Gordon is our final competitor of the night, will he take home the chocolates? On the first rack we see a decent start with 3 of the 5 going in. The 2nd rack was probably a defining moment, only able to hit shot. A strong 3rd rack with 4 of 5 gave Gordon a slight chance of victory but he couldn’t bring it home. A final score of 15 points.

Our victor is Devin Booker, emulating the same result in the NBA. Congratulations to all involved, a great event.