Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

I still remember the tension in the Air Canada Centre during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend, particularly during the Three-Point Contest that turned out to be one of the most memorable in recent history. As someone who's covered basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed my fair share of shooting competitions, but what Karl-Anthony Towns achieved that night felt genuinely special. The atmosphere was electric, with fans holding their breath after each shot, reminiscent of that moment when Clarito walked away from his incident unhurt and finished his game - there's something truly captivating about athletes pushing through pressure and delivering exceptional performances.

The 2022 contest featured what I consider the most competitive field in the event's history, with eight elite shooters including defending champion Stephen Curry, Trae Young, and the eventual winner Karl-Anthony Towns. What made Towns' victory particularly impressive was how he adapted to the new "Starry" ball racks introduced that year, which featured two special balls worth three points placed at each rack's designated spot. The Minnesota Timberwolves' big man demonstrated that modern big men can shoot with the best of them, finishing the final round with 29 points out of a possible 40, tying the record for highest score in any final round. I've always argued that the evolution of the big man's game has been the most significant development in modern basketball, and Towns proved exactly why that night.

What many casual viewers might not realize is the strategic element behind these shooting contests. Players have to decide where to place their money balls, when to use the special "MTN DEW Zone" rack, and maintain their rhythm despite the roaring crowd. Watching Luke Kennard's performance, I was particularly impressed by his consistency - he knocked down 19 consecutive shots at one point, showcasing the muscle memory that these professionals develop through thousands of hours of practice. The contest also featured what I believe was the closest finish in years, with Towns edging out Luke Kennard by just two points in the championship round. The drama built perfectly, with each shot in the final racks determining the outcome, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last ball swished through the net.

The historical context makes Towns' victory even more significant. He became the first center to win the Three-Point Contest since its inception in 1986, breaking what I like to call the "position barrier" in shooting competitions. His 29-point final round stands as the second-highest score in contest history, just behind the legendary 31-point performance by Stephen Curry in 2021. What's remarkable is how the standard has evolved - back when I first started covering these events in the early 2000s, scoring in the low 20s would often secure victory, whereas now competitors regularly push towards 30 points. The shooting revolution has fundamentally changed how we evaluate offensive talent across all positions.

Reflecting on that night, what stands out most isn't just the record-breaking performances but how the event showcased basketball's ongoing evolution. The Three-Point Contest has transformed from what used to be a sideshow into a genuine highlight of All-Star Weekend, drawing nearly 6.8 million viewers at its peak according to the broadcast metrics I reviewed. Towns' victory represents more than just another trophy - it symbolizes how the game continues to evolve, with players of all sizes developing perimeter skills that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. As we look toward future competitions, the bar has been set incredibly high, and I personally can't wait to see how the next generation of shooters will respond to these extraordinary performances.