Ranking the Top 5 NBA Three-Point Contests of All-time

The three-point shot has completely revolutionized how basketball is played today and the NBA Three-Point Shootout is regarded as the best sideshow of the All-Star weekend.

Several teams seem to have fallen in love with the three-point shot. So much so that the annual contest has undoubtedly surpassed the Dunk Competition as the marque appetizer before the All-Star Game.

Since the official competition started in 1986, the NBA and millions of fans have seen some of the most dazzling beyond-the-arc shooting over the years. Names such as Larry Bird, Craig Hodges, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and others have made this contest a riveting one.

There have been duels and performances that have stood the test of time since the contest's inception. As the NBA celebrates its All-Star weekend, it's about time to dust off the history books and list the most memorable three-point shooting contests of all time.

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5 of the most unforgettable NBA three-point shootouts since its introduction in 1986

#5 1990 Craig Hodges vs Jim Les

Michael Jordan's disastrous 5-point showing in the 1990 Three-Point Contest stole the thunder from eventual winner and teammate Craig Hodges. [Photo: MARCA]

The 1990 NBA Three-Point Contest was as much about the finalists as it was about the names of the participants and their meaning in the competition’s history. The shootout marked the start of the Craig Hodges era. Hodges won his first of three titles that year and became the inaugural champion of the 90s.

The biggest side story heading into the battle was the return of Larry Bird, who missed the 1989 event with an injury. Larry Legend has proven unbeatable in all three times he joined the contest. An injury, however, prevented him from joining the shootout.

Lastly, the 1990 Three-Point thriller included a certain Michael Jordan, who was already terrorizing opponents with his impeccable scoring. However, the excitement and anticipation of Jordan’s entry quickly went down the drain when MJ made only five of 30 shots, tied for worst in the competition.

Craig Hodges had a solid final-round score of 16 to pip Jim Les’ 15 points. Despite the thrilling finale, it was Jordan’s horrific shooting that garnered considerable media attention.

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#4 1986 Larry Bird vs Craig Hodges

Larry Bird dominated the first three NBA Three-Point Shootouts. [Photo: Twitter]

The NBA introduced the long-distance shootout in 1983 to spice up the NBA All-Star Game. Despite all the massive expectations of what the event will become, the league had no idea how impactful this contest would become.

Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics was considered the heavy favorite to win the inaugural three-point contest. While almost everyone was anticipating a sizzling performance by the “Hick from French Lick,” it was Hodges who stole the show early.

Hodges scorched the nets for 25 first-round points. Bird, meanwhile, barely managed to get to the second round, finishing with 16 points. The semifinals to the finals, however, became an all-Larry Legend show. He topped the second round with 18 before burying Hodges 22-12 in the championship round.

The Celtics superstar’s win cemented his status as the top gun in the NBA after the win.

#3 2018 Devin Booker vs Klay Thompson

Devin Booker won the 2018 Three-Point Competition by scoring a record 28 points to beat Klay Thompson. [Photo: SFGATE]

Unlike the last two years, the Phoenix Suns have been a laughing stock in the NBA since the 2010-11 season.

But despite their dismal 2018 season, their young shooting guard Devin Booker started to emerge. In just his third year in the league, Booker was already averaging 24.9 points on a career-high 38.9% three-point efficiency.

But Klay Thompson was the clear favorite heading into the battle. The 2016 champ wasted no time in showing off his mettle, scoring 19 points in the first round. Booker followed that up by proving his readiness in just his second year since joining the competition. He tied Thompson’s 19-point tally for a spot in the final round.

In one of the most thrilling three-point finals ever, the Suns’ shooting guard scored a record 28 points, making 19-25 shots. Thompson launched a spirited challenge but ended up three points off Booker's tally to lose the contest.

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#2 1988 Larry Bird vs Dale Ellis

Larry Bird completed a Grand Slam of Three-Point shooting titles in 1988. [Photo: YouTube]

The Boston Celtics superstar was yet to lose the three-point competition. A win in 1988 would have completed an extremely difficult Grand Slam of All-Star three-point shooting titles.

Larry Bird played it cool in the first round, finishing with 17 points. The semifinals saw the deadly shooter score 23 points, which was by far the best in the entire contest.

The final round, though, was an entirely different matter. Despite Dale Ellis’ measly 15 championship-round score, Bird’s usual rhythm was way off. He had to slowly crawl his way back into the matchup.

But like the endless times he saved the Celtics from a loss, Bird came back strong. He nailed his last three shots to edge Ellis for his third consecutive championship.

Bird had ice in his veins with his fingers pointing upwards as he watched the ball fall into the net. The irrepressible Celtics forward added to his already untouchable reputation as a big-game player with this performance.

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#1 2016 Klay Thompson vs Steph Curry

Steph Curry watches Klay Thompson roar to a 27-point final round to win the iconic 2016 battle between the Splash Brothers. [Photo: ESPN]

The Splash Brothers engaged in a duel for the ages during the 2016 championship. Klay Thompson and Steph Curry placed 1-2 in the first round before their sizzling championship battle.

Curry started smoking hot, finishing with 23 points, putting huge pressure on Thompson to catch up.

The Golden State Warriors shooting guard had a slow start before rallying to win the 2016 Three-Point Contest crown. Thompson’s 27 tied Curry for most points before it was broken by Devin Booker, who finished third, two years later.

The closely-fought result only added to the debate of who between the two was the best shooter in the NBA.