In his perfect world, Zach LaVine would’ve landed a Sunday NBA All-Star game slot and then thrilled fans at his home arena by winning both the 3-point shootout and slam dunk contest on Saturday night.
Instead, LaVine will attempt to become the first player to win both the slam dunk contest and 3-point shootout, although in separate years. The 2015 and 2016 slam dunk champion takes his 37.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc to a national stage Saturday night.
“I’ve done it a couple times, just getting my timing down with the racks,” LaVine said. “Just like anything else, just practice the routine and hopefully you get in a rhythm and come home with a trophy.”
LaVine ranks seventh in the NBA with 168 made 3-pointers, which is five off Ben Gordon’s single-season franchise record.
“I’m looking forward to it,” LaVine said. “If people think I’m just a high flyer still, I think they’re just a casual NBA fan — a check-their-phone-type stuff. I really ain’t doing it for them. I’m doing it because it’s something I haven’t done before. I think it’s going to be fun. I think I have a shot to win.”
Craig Hodges and Steve Kerr are the only Bulls who have won the event. Hodges captured three straight titles from 1990-92, while Kerr prevailed in 1997.
The NBA tweaked the format this season. There are two extra shots in a zone named for a sponsor. They’re located six feet behind the 3-point line and are worth three points. That means players can score 40 maximum points instead of 34.
NBA
They also get 10 extra seconds to shoot their 27 total shots.