I love the three point shot.

And let me clarify, I don’t just love it like “Oh, the three point shot is awesome and has made basketball a better game and it’s so pretty when the ball swishes through the net and the crowd goes crazy.” I do love it like that, but for so many other reasons as well. Basically, as far as I’m concerned, if the three point shot were a woman, it would be Heidi Klum. And I would make love to it. Sweet, sweet, passionate love.

That’s how much I love the three point shot.

You can ask my high school friends about how much I love the three point shot. I grew up in Indiana (no surprise there, right?) and played ball for West Lafayette High School. For my varsity career (which spanned two seasons), I made more threes than I even attempted twos. And I wasn’t just a chucker — I actually broke the school record for 3-point percentage during my junior year. But lest you think I am just writing this to boast, I struggled mightily as a senior, lost the majority of my playing time to a junior by the end of the year, and watched him break my own record. Kind of an ignominious end, but we did win Sectionals that year (no thanks to me). For a fat kid who was the last one to make it before the final cut in 8th grade, I’ll take it.

And therein lies the root of my love for the 3-pointer: it is the great equalizer. Chubby and slow? You might find it hard to play a game dominated by the most athletic people on the floor. Chubby and slow but a 40% marksman from downtown? Hell, every now and then you’ll even get plays run for you! Is your team playing someone better, more athletic, and heavily favored to kick your ass? It’s going to be a long night. But wait — a couple of guys get hot from downtown and, whaddaya know, you just pulled off a huge upset!

My dad bought me a shirt that said “When a dunk is worth three points, I’ll start doing it.” And while it might have been more apt for the shirt to say “When a dunk is worth three points, and I can jump over a phone book, I’ll start doing it,” the point was well taken: the three point shot is the most efficient way to score in basketball, if you know what you’re doing. A lot of people don’t, and can’t make it consistently, but insist on chucking them up there anyway. Even chubby and slow guys with less hops than Dom DeLuise can become valued members of a basketball team if they can drain 40% of their threes.

And that brings us to tonight, where we will get to watch the best 3-point shooters in the world compete in the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout at NBA All-Star Saturday night. While I have always enjoyed watching the dunk contest, nothing entertains me more during NBA All-Star weekend than watching the Three-Point Shootout. From Larry to Craig Hodges to Jason Kapono, this is the one skills competition in sports that I can truly relate to.

Here are the particulars for the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout:

Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout

• Time: Between 8:30-11:00 as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night
• TV Schedule: TNT
• Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, Mike Fratello, Cheryl Miller reporting
• Participants: Jason Kapono, Mike Bibby, Daequan Cook, Danny Granger, Rashard Lewis, Roger Mason
• 2008 Three-Point Shootout Champion: Jason Kapono
• Official Info: NBA.com Three Point Shootout Page

Jason Kapono, formerly of the Miami Heat and now a member of the Toronto Raptors, has a chance to make history tonight. He can become the third member of the Three-Point Shootout Three-Peaters with a win tonight. Kapono has won the last two Three-Point Shootouts, and would join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win consecutive titles.

To quickly jog your memory, here is a rundown of the past champions:

2008 – Jason Kapono, Toronto
2007 – Jason Kapono, Miami
2006 – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2005 – Quentin Richardson, Phoenix
2004 – Voshon Lenard, Denver
2003 – Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2002 – Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento
2001 – Ray Allen, Milwaukee
2000 – Jeff Hornacek, Utah
1998 – Jeff Hornacek, Utah
1997 – Stever Kerr, Chicago
1996 – Tim Legler, Washington
1995 – Glen Rice, Miami
1994 – Mark Price, Cleveland
1993 – Mark Price, Cleveland
1992 – Craig Hodges, Chicago
1991 – Craig Hodges, Chicago
1990 – Craig Hodges, Chicago
1989 – Dale Ellis, Seattle
1988 – Larry Bird, Boston
1987 – Larry Bird, Boston
1986 – Larry Bird, Boston

I love that Larry Bird won the first three Three-Point Shootouts, as if to say, “Awesome contest — it’s mine, and you can all suck it.” Is there any doubt who is the greatest clutch three-point shooter of all time? If anyone says Robert Horry, smack yourselves. It’s Larry Bird, and it’s not even close. If his playoff prowess didn’t convince you, his amazing ability in the Shootout should have.

As far as a prediction goes, it’s hard to pick against Jason Kapono. But, ever since Craig Hodges won his third in a row in 1992, three guys have won two in a row — Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek, and Peja Stojakovic — and lost in their attempt at a third. I’m sorry, but I can’t predict Jason Kapono joining the exclusive club of Larry Bird and Craig Hodges, who helped to inspire my obsession with the 3 while I was a young, impressionable roundballer growing up in the Hoosier State.

I’m going with a darkhorse tonight: Daequan Cook. He’s from the Midwest, he’s a Big Ten guy (for at least one year anyway), and he has a cool name. Honestly, if I had to bet money on it, I’d say Kapono will probably win out of that less-than-imposing group of shooters; but I’m not ready to anoint Jason Kapono as a three-point shooting legend just yet. If he proves me wrong tonight, then more power to him.

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Have fun watching all of the All-Star festivities tonight everybody. This is probably going to be the only post of the day. Valentine’s lunch with the Mom, and then dinner and a movie with the girlfriend. Enjoy your Saturday.