The NBA All-Star Game is next weekend and, for once, the Milwaukee Bucks will play a prominent part in the mid-winter festivities. Heading into tonight’s game in Brooklyn, the Bucks have posted an NBA-best 38-13 record. Along the way, Giannis Antetokounmpo has dominated the Association and All-Star voting alike en route to earning a spot as one team’s captain (opposite LeBron James). Last week, Khris Middleton also earned an All-Star nod as one of the reserves, and first-year Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer was named the coach of “Team Giannis.” There’s also a decent chance Eric Bledsoe could be named as an alternate when the final roster is announced.
Even though there hasn’t been this much Bucks representation at an NBA All-Star Game in decades (if ever), there’s one more Milwaukee player who deserves to go to Charlotte to partake in the weekend affair. Tuesday, we’ll learn whether Bucks center Brook Lopez will be taking part in the Three-Point Contest on February 16. In our humble opinion, the NBA would be doing Lopez, Milwaukee, the league, and fans everywhere a disservice by leaving the seven-foot veteran out of the event. Here are just a few reasons why Brook Lopez needs to compete in the Three-Point Contest.
He’s one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters this season
Even if no one (Lopez included) saw it coming, the giant has shown the NBA he’s now a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. Heading into Monday’s action, Lopez’s 129 triples are the 11th most in the NBA and the fifth most in the Eastern Conference. With 30 games left in the season, he’s just a half dozen three-pointers shy of setting a new career high. Also, Lopez is currently leading the Bucks in threes, with Middleton’s 116 the next highest figure, meaning he’s technically the best three-point shooter on the NBA’s best team. Let’s not bring three-point percentage into this, cool?
He’s setting records
On top of his team lead in threes and his soon-to-be career milestone in triples, Lopez is making history with his long distance shots in 2018-19. He’s made at least one three-pointer in 33 consecutive games (and counting), which is the longest streak for a seven-footer IN NBA HISTORY. According to Justin Kubatko, Dirk Nowitzki and Karl-Anthony Towns are the only other seven-foot-tall players to hit a three in 30 straight games.
He could make even more history
By participating in the Three-Point Contest next weekend, Lopez would be only the third player who’s seven-feet or taller to ever compete in the event. Nowitzki has done so five times, and will reportedly return to the contest this year as well…despite hitting just 17 threes so far in the 2018-19 season. How great would it be to have two giants in this year’s Three-Point contest?
He’s (statistically) better than some of the confirmed players competing
Of the six players reportedly confirmed to take part in the Three-Point Contest so far, only three have hit more triples than Lopez has this season. Yesterday, Brooklyn’s Joe Harris was confirmed as the latest participant in the contest. Heading into tonight’s match-up with Milwaukee, Harris has 115 threes (less than both Lopez AND Middleton).
He’ll probably never have do this again
After the shockingly great season Lopez has enjoyed to this point, it’s unlikely that the veteran center—who is in Milwaukee on a bargain basement one-year deal—will return to the Bucks and their three-obsessed offense. No matter where he lands, he’s probably not going to have an opportunity or the green light to try nearly as many shots from downtown. Why not let him square off against the likes of Steph Curry and Damian Lillard while he’s trying more threes than ever before?
The value of that one guy’s microwave will increase
Remember when Lopez autographed some dude’s microwave? Can you imagine how much that appliance would fetch on eBay if the player who signed it wound up being the reigning Three-Point Contest champion? We’re talking, what, $60?!
It would be fun
Unlike the NFL and MLB, the NBA seems to actually care about its fans and allowing things to happen that might increase the level of fun those fans can have whilst viewing their product. What’s more fun than seeing a huge dude who finally found his shooting stroke in his 11th season chuck up threes? Nothing. You know what to do, NBA. Don’t deprive people of the chance to see this.