As I sit here watching the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics battle in yet another championship series, I can't help but wonder if we're witnessing the same story unfold year after year. The three-point shot has completely transformed modern basketball, and frankly, I believe we're living through the golden age of long-range shooting. When the NBA 3-Point Contest rolls around in 2024, we're likely to see something special - perhaps even historic. Having covered the NBA for over a decade, I've noticed patterns in how shooting competitions evolve, and 2024 feels like it could be a turning point where established veterans face off against a new generation of sharpshooters who grew up watching Stephen Curry revolutionize the game.
Looking at the potential contenders, I'm particularly excited about the possibility of seeing Stephen Curry return to defend his legacy. The man has revolutionized shooting in ways we've never seen before - he's made over 3,200 three-pointers in his career at about 42.8% accuracy, numbers that still blow my mind. But what makes Curry special in these competitions isn't just his accuracy; it's his speed and the ridiculous range he brings. I've watched him warm up before these events, and the way he moves through his shooting spots is almost artistic. Still, at 35, he's not getting any younger, and the young guns are coming for his throne. Damian Lillard, who's shown incredible clutch gene in these settings, could be a serious threat if he decides to participate. His deep threes from the logo have become his signature, and in last year's contest, he was hitting from 30 feet out like it was nothing special.
The younger generation brings a different energy to these contests though. Players like Tyrese Haliburton and Desmond Bane have this smooth, effortless shooting form that just looks different. Haliburton specifically has caught my eye - he shot 40% from deep last season while creating most of his looks off the dribble, which is incredibly difficult. What's fascinating about these young shooters is how they've incorporated movement threes into their game, something that wasn't as prevalent even five years ago. They're not just spot-up shooters; they're creating from everywhere on the court. I recently watched film of Haliburton's shooting drills, and his ability to catch and shoot from different angles is something special. He's not just standing in the corner waiting for passes anymore - these guys are shooting off screens, coming around picks, and launching from anywhere.
What really intrigues me about the 2024 contest is how the format might continue to evolve. The NBA introduced the "Starry" balls worth three points in the money ball rack last year, and I thought it was a brilliant addition that added more strategy to the event. Players now have to decide whether to place these special balls in their strong spots or use them to compensate for weaker areas. This small change has made the competition more cerebral, and I've noticed contestants spending more time planning their rack sequences during practice rounds. The pressure of the moment can't be underestimated either - I've spoken with past participants who've described the final round as "complete sensory overload" with the crowd noise and bright lights.
When we look at dark horse candidates, keep an eye on players like Malik Beasley or Luke Kennard - specialists who might not be household names but possess pure shooting strokes that could surprise everyone. Kennard specifically has one of the quickest releases I've ever timed at 0.68 seconds from catch to release, which is faster than most defenders can react. His career three-point percentage of around 43.5% is genuinely elite, though he doesn't always get the recognition he deserves because he plays for a smaller market team. These specialists often fly under the radar until they're standing there with the trophy, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of them makes a deep run.
The international influence can't be ignored either. We're seeing more European players bringing their unique shooting styles to the NBA, and someone like Lauri Markkanen could potentially participate and change the way we think about big men shooting threes. At 7 feet tall, his shooting mechanics are remarkably consistent, and he's shown he can get hot from deep in game situations. The globalization of basketball has diversified shooting forms and approaches, and this diversity could produce an unexpected winner in 2024.
My personal prediction? I'm leaning toward Stephen Curry finding one more magical night, but I wouldn't bet against the new generation. The competition has evolved to favor not just accuracy but versatility in shooting off movement and from deeper ranges. The 2024 contest might just come down to who can best handle the pressure when the lights are brightest and the final rack is approaching. Having witnessed these events live, I can tell you that the atmosphere in those final moments is electric in a way that's hard to capture on television. The best shooters find a way to block out everything and trust their form, and that mental toughness often separates the champions from the participants. Whatever happens, the continued evolution of shooting ensures that the 2024 Three-Point Contest will be must-watch television for any basketball fan.