Wednesday Windmill: The Atlanta Hawks are tanking and I don't know why

The Atlanta Hawks are tanking and I don't know why. To be clear, I know why teams tank. They tank to get higher draft picks so that they can be better for the long term. The Atlanta Hawks, however, are a team who seemed to tank for no good reason. They went 43-39 last season, which was good enough for 5th place in the Eastern Conference. The year before that, they were 48-34, which was good enough for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, though they fell to 4th place due to a tiebreaker. In the 2014-15 season, the Hawks finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 60-22 with Paul Millsap, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, and Kyle Korver as their core, all of whom are no longer with the team.

Since the 2014-15 season, the Hawks have gone downhill, wholesaling their best players to other teams without wanting anything good in return. Rather than trying build around a core that won 60 games, the Hawks decided to blow the whole thing up and start anew, believing that what they had wasn't going to produce a championship no matter what moves they made.

While I understand the tanking philosophy and acknowledge that it has its place, the Hawks were not a team in need of embracing it. They should have instead embraced the quality roster that they had in the 2014-15 season and done all they could to enhance it for the purposes of better positioning themselves for a championship run.

By embracing the "If you're not first, you're last" mantra of Ricky Bobby, the Hawks have robbed their fans of witnessing deep playoff runs year in and year out. While it is true that the ultimate goal is to win a championship, it's not like the only successful seasons are the ones that result in a championship. Reaching the conference finals is a successful season that gets your fans excited. Winning a playoff series can also be considered a successful season, especially if you are a young and up and coming team.

My point is that if your ceiling is to reach the conference finals for a few years in a row, ride that ship out and see where that takes you. You never know, maybe someone gets hurt and you find yourself in the NBA Finals. If you are positioned to make those kind of runs year in and year out, tanking is not the solution to getting over the hump.

With most teams that tank, I understand why they are doing it. They're far from winning a championship and are in need of replenishing with young talent. The Hawks however were not in either of those camps. They were close to winning a championship and had a talented core that had plenty of years left. Taking a nosedive like this is very perplexing and difficult to understand.

Wednesday Windmill is a weekly piece that focuses on the Eastern Conference 

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Saturday Slam: Adding Kyle Korver makes the Cleveland Cavaliers very dangerous

                                     (Credit: Atlanta Hawks YouTube Channel. Click here for video) 

By far the biggest news of the week in the NBA is the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring Kyle Korver from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Mo Williams, Mike Dunleavy, Jr., a protected first round pick, and cash. For the Atlanta Hawks, this is clearly a sign that they are looking to rebuild and free up as much cap space as possible. Mo Williams hasn't played all season due to a knee injury while Mike Dunleavy, Jr. is averaging 4.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. This move is all about the future for the Atlanta Hawks, who are starting to waive the white flag for the season amid rumors that they may also trade Paul Millsap.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, this is all about fortifying their bench as much as possible in hopes of making another deep run to the NBA Finals. With J.R. Smith going out for 3+ months due to thumb surgery, the Cavaliers felt the need to make a move for another sharpshooter, making Kyle Korver an ideal target.

Even though he is in his 14th season in the NBA, Kyle Korver is still very good at what he does best, which is shooting. He is averaging 9.5 points per game on 44.1% shooting from the field, 40.9% shooting from beyond the arc, and 88.9% shooting from the foul line. In a league that gives much more attention to the three-point shooting of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, Kyle Korver is quietly continuing to be one of the top shooters the NBA has ever seen.

As far as what this move means for the Cavaliers, it has both short-term and long-term effects. From a short-term standpoint, Kyle Korver helps fill the void left by J.R. Smith, who while erratic and kind of crazy, is still one who can put up points in bunches. With Kyle Korver on board, the Cavaliers should worry a lot less about how they will survive without their three-point barraging wild man.

As far as long-term effects go, this just gives the Cavaliers one more three-point shooter to combat a Golden State Warriors team that is filled with great shooters. Even though the playoffs haven't started and won't start until April, the Cavaliers are already thinking about June as they should. Hell, the Warriors have been thinking about June since July when they went out and got Kevin Durant, so perhaps the Cavaliers are a little bit late to the party in terms of making big moves for June!

The Cavaliers know that against the Golden State Warriors, should they meet in the NBA Finals, they'll need all the weapons they can get from an offensive standpoint. By adding Kyle Korver, the Cavaliers get another guy who can cause problems from beyond the arc and help them keep up with the Warriors' lights out shooting. Plus, maybe the Cavaliers were hearing that Kyle Korver was on the market and feared that the Warriors may make a move for him. This move could be as much about playing keep away from the Warriors as it is about improving their roster.

When looking at this trade from both a short-term and long-term perspective, it is clear that this is a fabulous move by the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are getting a player who can help them put up points while J.R. Smith is out and also give them more depth and shooting for the playoffs. LeBron James has to be delighted to have a guy like Kyle Korver around. If I am giving this trade a grade, I'm giving it an A+ for the Cavaliers and a C+ for the Hawks. This move absolutely makes the Cavaliers a much more dangerous team while as for the Hawks, I'm still not convinced blowing up their team is the right move.

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Daily Dunks: 5/18-5/24

                                                    (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source) 

               

This is my Daily Dunks page for May 18, 2015 through May 24, 2015. Throughout the week this page will be updated with news and scores from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week. So make sure to keep checking this page every 24 hours or so for the latest news until next week. 

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) says he will play in Game 1 against the Hawks (Click here for details). 

#2. Doc Rivers says the Clippers need to "add pieces" (Click here for details).

#3. The Raptors fired two of Dwane Casey's assistants (Click here for details). 

#4. The Magic are willing to pay Tom Thibodeau $7-$9M per year (Click here for details). 

#5. Wizards point guard John Wall doesn't think he'll need surgery on his hand/wrist (Click here for details). 

#6. The Pelicans have been granted permission to interview Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry for their head coaching job (Click here for details). 

#7. Report: Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan had a falling out (Click here for details). 

#8. The Clippers are interested in Lakers forward Wesley Johnson (Click here for details). 

#9. Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley has abounded hope of playing against the Warriors (Click here for details). 

#10. The Grizzlies are engaging in talks with Mike Conley about an extension (Click here for details). 

Monday's NBA Playoff Results: None. Western Conference Finals begin Tuesday. Eastern Conference Finals begin Wednesday (Click here for a full schedule for both series').

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The NBA Draft lottery happened. The Timberwolves won the #1 overall pick (Click here for full results).

#2. Bucks point guard Tyler Ennis underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder. His status for next season is unknown (Click here for details).

#3. Wizards center Marcin Gortat says personal issues distracted him this past season (Click here for details).

#4. Report: Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders really likes Jahlil Okafor for the #1 pick (Click here for details).

#5. The Pelicans are also interested in Scott Brooks and Jeff Van Gundy for their head coaching job (Click here for details).

#6. Kentucky head coach John Calipari denies interest in the Pelicans' head coaching vacancy after a report said he was interested (Click here for details).

#7. Chris Paul is frustrated with DeAndre Jordan's laziness in his approach to foul shooting (Click here for details).

#8. Thunder small forward Kevin Durant's recovery from foot surgery is going well, but he still cannot put weight on his foot (Click here fokr details).

#9. Kings VP Vlade Divac says DeMarcus Cousins is untradeable (Click here for details).

#10. Report: Ricky Rubio's posse is pushing for a trade (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Playoffs results: 

Warriors 110 Rockets 106 (Warriors lead Western Conference Finals 1-0). Warriors point guard Stephen Curry had 34 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Lakers plan to pursue Tom Thibodeau for their head coaching job (Click here for details).

#2. Stephen Curry got fined $5K for flopping in Game 1 against the Rockets. Steve Kerr is "morally outraged" (Click here for details).

#3. The NBA First Team All-Defense was released (Click here to view it). The NBA Second Team All-Defense was also released (Click here to view it).

#4. Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor says trading the #1 pick will be "part of the conversation" (Click here for details).

#5. Former Thunder head coach Scott Brooks is expected to sit out this upcoming season. He is declining interviews (Click here for details).

#6. The Lakers are reportedly expected to take either Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns with the #2 pick. (Click here for details).

#7. For making the Second Team All-Defense, Warriors center Andrew Bogut got a $1.945M bonus (Click here for details).

#8. Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic underwent knee surgery. He is expected to be out 3-4 months (Click here for details).

#9. Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll had a knee injury that look scary. Thankfully he is listed as day-to-day with just a bone bruise after having an MRI (Click here for details).

#10. Rockets center Dwight Howard (knee) is a game-time decision for Thursday (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA Playoff Results: 

Cavaliers 97 Hawks 89 (Cavaliers lead Eastern Conference Finals 1-0). Cavaliers small forward LeBron James had 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Pelicans shooting guard Tyreke Evans underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee (Click here for details).

#2. Hawks small forward DeMarre Carroll (knee) is questionable for Game 2 on Friday (Click here for details).

#3. Warriors point guard Stephen Curry doesn't agree with the fine the league gave him for flopping (Click here for details).

#4. Warriors assistant coach Alvin Gentry is looking like the front runner to land the Pelicans head coaching job. He has landed a second interview with the club (Click here for details).

#5. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak denies any special interest in Tom Thibodeau (Click here for details).

#6. Mavericks president Donnie Nelson says Rick Carlisle can be in Dallas as long as he wants (Click here for details).

#7. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley won't sign an extension, but this doesn't mean he is leaving Memphis (Click here for details).

#8. The All-NBA First, Second, and Third teams were announced (Click here for details).

#9. Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons remains silent on whether or not he got microfracture surgery on his knee (Click here for details). 

#10. Lester Hudson, last with the Clippers, has received a $2M offer to play in China next season (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA Playoff Results: 

Warriors 99 Rockets 98: Final (Warriors lead Western Conference Finals 2-0). Warriors point guard Stephen Curry had 33 points and 6 assists on 5-11 shooting from 3-point range.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Tom Thibodeau and Alvin Gentry are the leading candidates for the Pelicans' head coaching job (Click here for details).

#2. The Cavaliers say symptoms related to tendinitis in Kyrie Irving's left knee have not diminished. Irving as a result did not play on Friday. (Click here for details). Note: DeMarre Carroll played for the Hawks on Friday.

#3. Hawks power forward Pero Antic committed a flagrant foul on LeBron James (Click here for details).

#4. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak says the team will likely keep the #2 overall pick (Click here for details).

#5. The Clippers and other teams have offered Royce White a spot on their summer league team (Click here for details).

#6. The Lakers have "big time" interest in signing DeMarre Carroll in free agency (Click here for details).

#7. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak says Kobe Bryant has told him next season will be his last season with the Lakers (Click here for details).

#8. The Lakers may choose a guard (D'Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay) with the #2 pick instead of Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor (Click here for details).

#9. Jeff Van Gundy is interested in the Pelicans' head coaching job (Click here for details).

#10. The Nuggets are reportedly building around Jusuf Nurkic and Danilo Gallinari. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried could get traded (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA Playoff Results: 

Cavaliers 94 Hawks 82 (Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference Finals 2-0). Cavaliers small forward LeBron James had 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Hawks small forward Kyle Korver may need surgery on his right ankle. He is done for the playoffs (Click here for details).

#2. Raptors small forward Terrence Ross underwent surgery on his left ankle. There is no timetable for his recovery at the moment (Click here for details).

#3. Famous Harlem Globetrotter Marques Haynes passed away at the age of 89 (Click here for details).

#4. Scott Skiles is reportedly the front runner for the Magic head coaching job (Click here for details).

#5. The Bulls want to wait until all the other head coaching vacancies are filled before they fire Tom Thibodeau (Click here for details).

#6. Consensus among those in management positions is that Kevin Love will leave the Cavaliers in free agency this summer (Click here for details).

#7. Goran Dragic wants the Heat to play at a faster tempo (Click here for details).

#8. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) won't play on Sunday (Click here for details).

#9.Tim Salier of the Austin Spurs has won the D-League executive of the year award (Click here for details).

#10.  Warriors point guard Stephen Curry had 40 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Saturday's NBA Final Scores: 

Warriors 115 Rockets 80 (Warriors lead the Western Conference Finals 3-0).

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. According to DeMarre Carroll, Kyle Korver needs ankle surgery and may be out 4-6 months (Click here for details).

#2. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak doesn't think the Lakers have the time to build via the draft (Click here for details).

#3. The Heat are still the front runners to sign Goran Dragic this summer (Click here for details).

#4. The 76ers are expected to draft the best available player in the draft when they pick third (Click here for details).

#5. The NBA is considering moving up the NBA Finals to June 2 in the event that both series' are sweeps (Click here for details).

#6.  Hawks center Al Horford got ejected from Sunday's game after an altercation with Matthew Dellavedova. Horford has some words for Dellavedova (Click here for details).

#7. Phil Jackson backtracks a bit on the "I don't like three point shooting" talk (Click here for details).

#8. Adam Silver says the Cavaliers' arena needs upgrades in order to host an all-star game (Click here for details).

#9. Rockets center Dwight Howard says the whole team quit in Game 3 (Click here for details).

#10. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James had 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists.

Sunday's NBA Playoff Results: 

Cavaliers 114 Hawks 111 (OT) (Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference Finals 3-0).

---Ben Parker: Follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

Daily Dunks: 3/16-3/22

                                                  (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source)

     Here is my Daily Dunks page for March 16 through March 22, 2015. Keep checking this page for all the latest news and updates from around the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created next week!

Monday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Hawks small forward Kyle Korver (broken nose) will miss at least three games including Monday's game (Click here for details).

#2. The Clippers are planning to sign guard Jordan Hamilton for the rest of the season (Click here for details).

#3. The Clippers are signing guard Nate Robinson to a second 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#4. Rockets center Dwight Howard is expected to be 10-14 more days (Click here for details).

#5. Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas is at least three games away from returning (Click here for details).

#6. The Mavericks are no longer interested in JaVale McGee (Click here for details).

#7. Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka underwent a knee procedure. He is out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#8. The Jazz signed point guard Bryce Cotton to a multi-year deal (Click here for details).

#9. The Jazz signed forward Jack Cooley to a second 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#10. Greg Miller is stepping down as CEO of the Jazz. Changes are coming to ownership (Click here for details).

Monday's NBA Final Scores: 

Nets 122 Timberwolves 106. Grizzlies 92 Nuggets 81. Jazz 94 Hornets 66. Warriors 108 Lakers 105. Raptors 117 Pacers 98. Wizards 105 Trail Blazers 97. Celtics 108 76ers 89. Heat 106 Cavaliers 92. Mavericks 119 Thunder 115. Hawks 110 Kings 103.

Tuesday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Update on Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka: He underwent a knee procedure and is out 4-6 weeks (Click here for details).

#2. Warriors guard Klay Thompson is out 7-10 days with an ankle injury (Click here for details).

#3. Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders won't coach on Wednesday for personal reasons (Click here for details).

#4. Nuggets GM Tim Connelly says their current head coach Melvin Hunt is being considered to be their long-term head coach (Click here for details).

#5. The Warriors plan to match any offer sheet for Draymond Green (Click here for details).

#6. The Heat signed Michael Beasley for the rest of the season (Click here for details).

#7. The Knicks and Andrea Bargnani have mutual interest in a agreeing on a new deal (Click here for details).

#8. Kevin Love will play on Wednesday for the Cavaliers (Click here for details).

#9. Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler and Bulls power forward Taj Gibson could be back by the weekend after going through a full practice (Click here for details).

#10. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose participated in non-contact portions of practice on Tuesday. He may return ahead of schedule (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Final Scores: 

Pistons 105 Grizzlies 95. Knicks 104 Spurs 100 (OT). Pelicans 85 Bucks 84. Rockets 107 Magic 94. Clippers 99 Hornets 92.

Note: Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Tim Duncan all played 34+ minutes against the Knicks, so the Knicks actually beat them. Lou Amundson led the Knicks with 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Wednesday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Former NBA player Jack Haley passed away due to heart disease (Click here for details).

#2. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan says he will look around and keep his options open (Click here for details).

#3. Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist says he wants to be the best defender of all-time (Click here for details).

#4. Cool story: The Rockets signed a 16-year old kid to a one-day contract via the Make-A-Wish foundation (Click here for details).

#5. Adam Silver isn't yet going to talk about potential work stoppage in 2017 (Click here for details).

#6. The Nuggets are resting players primarily to improve their draft stock (Click here for details).

#7. Ronnie Price wants to stay with the Lakers (Click here for details).

#8. Dwight Howard hopes to be back soon for the Rockets (Click here for details).

#9. Al Harrington has retired (Click here for details).

#10. The Kings signed guard Ricky Ledo to a 10-day contract (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA Final Scores: 

Raptors 105 Timberwolves 100. Warriors 114 Hawks 95. Wizards 88 Jazz 84. Cavaliers 117 Nets 92. 76ers 94 Pistons 83. Heat 108 Trail Blazers 104. Bulls 103 Pacers 86. Spurs 114 Bucks 103. Thunder 122 Celtics 118. Mavericks 107 Magic 102. Clippers 116 Kings 105.

Thursday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Timberwolves signed guard Sean Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract. He is their 16th player, which means they signed him via the hardship exception, which can be granted if you have four injured players (Click here for more details).

#2. Wizards center Marcin Gortat has been fined $5K for flopping (Click here for details).

#3. Knicks team physician Dr. Lisa Callahan has won the NBA's physician of the year award (Click here for details).

#4. The Spurs may go after Marc Gasol (Click here for details).

#5. Kevin Durant is still out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#6. Paul George plans to participate in Team USA minicamp (Click here for details).

#7. The Wizards are signing guard Toure' Murry to a second 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#8. Rockets forward Terrence Jones is out indefinitely with a rib injury (Click here for details).

#9. Hawks shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha (calf) should return from a two-month absence on Sunday (Click here for details).

#10. Al Harrington will work with the Nuggets as an assistant coach after retiring (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA Final Scores: 

Timberwolves 95 Knicks 92 (OT). Jazz 80 Lakers 73. Rockets 118 Nuggets 108. Suns 74 Pelicans 72.

Note: Rockets shooting guard James Harden scored 50 points and had 10 rebounds.

Friday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Thunder small forward Kevin Durant may be done for the season (Click here for details).

#2. The Lakers signed guard Jabari Brown to another 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#3. The Suns signed guard A.J. Price to a 10-day contract and released guard Seth Curry (Click here for details).

#4. Rockets forward Terrence Jones has a partially collapsed lung. He will miss at least one week (Click here for details).

#5. Pacers small forward Paul George is targeting a return within the next 7 days (Click here for details).

#6. Thunder center Enes Kanter (ankle) did not play on Friday (Click here for details).

#7. Bucks head coach Jason Kidd says there is no timetable for the return of O.J. Mayo (hamstring) and Jared Dudley (back) (Click here for details).

#8. The Clippers have officially signed forward Jordan Hamilton for the rest of the season (Click here for details).

#9. Tyrone Corbin is in the mix for the head coaching job at DePaul University (Click here for details).

#10. Magic guard Elfrid Payton has his second straight triple-double. Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook had his ninth triple-double of the season.

Friday's NBA Final Scores: 

Grizzlies 112 Mavericks 101. Warriors 112 Pelicans 96. Magic 111 Trail Blazers 104. 76ers 97 Knicks 81. Cavaliers 95 Pacers 92. Heat 108 Nuggets 91. Nets 129 Bucks 127 (3OT). Bulls 108 Raptors 92. Thunder 123 Hawks 115. Spurs 101 Celtics 89. Kings 101 Hornets 91. Clippers 113 Wizards 99.

Saturday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Steve Nash announced his retirement from basketball (Click here for details).

#2. Hawks shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha (calf) won't play on Sunday (Click here for details).

#3. Hawks small forward Kyle Korver (nose) is questionable for Sunday (Click here for details).

#4. Celtics point guard Marcus Smart has been suspended 1 game for punching Spurs forward Matt Bonner in the groin (Click here for details).

#5. Thunder power forward Nick Collison is out 7-10 days with a sprained left ankle (Click here for details).

#6. The Cavaliers have clinched a playoff spot.

#7. Mavericks power forward Amar'e Stoudemire was fined $15K after his ejection against the Grizzlies for verbally berating an official and not leaving the court in a timely fashion (Click here for details).

#8. Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka hopes to be back in 3-4 weeks (Click here for details).

#9. Real Madrid guard Sergio Llull, whose rights are owned by the Rockets, may come over to join the Rockets next year (Click here for details).

#10. Fred Hoiberg is on the Bulls' radar should they make a coaching change away from Tom Thibodeau (Click here for details).

Saturday's NBA Final Scores: 

Grizzlies 97 Trail Blazers 86. Warriors 106 Jazz 91. Nets 123 Pacers 111. Pistons 107 Bulls 91. Suns 117 Rockets 102.

Sunday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Wizards signed guard Toure' Murry to a second 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#2. Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook had his 10th triple-double of the season (12 points, 10 rebounds, and 17 assists).

#3. Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari scored 40 points against the Magic.

#4. Josh McRoberts is now able to fly with the Miami Heat on road trips (Click here for details).

#5. Lakers head coach Byron Scott won't travel with the team for Tuesday's game or Wednesday's game due to the death of his mother (Click here for details).

#6. Hawks small forward Kyle Korver (nose) returned and started.

#7. Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford (calf) could be done for the season (Click here for details).

#8. The Cavaliers almost got Steve Nash (Click here for details).

#9. Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge sprained his left index finger and is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Warriors (Click here for details).

#10. Billy Donovan may leave Florida to coach in the NBA (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA Final Scores: 

Hornets 109 Timberwolves 98. Spurs 114 Hornets 95. Cavaliers 108 Bucks 90. Thunder 93 Heat 75. Clippers 107 Pelicans 100. Raptors 106 Knicks 98. Pistons 105 Celtics 97. Nuggets 119 Magic 100. Kings 109 Wizards 86. Suns 98 Mavericks 92. Lakers 101 76ers 87.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord 

Saturday Slam: NBA three-point contest highlights All-Star Saturday

                                     

                                          (Credit: nba-events.com. Click here for source)

   
     Every NBA All-Star weekend it feels as though the slam dunk competition is the big event and everything else just builds up to it. But this year it's the three-point contest that everybody is talking about and the slam dunk competition feels like an after thought. The reason this is so is because in essence, this event is complied of the top eight three-point shooters in the NBA: Marco Belinelli (38.1%), Stephen Curry (39.9%), James Harden (38.3%), Kyrie Irving (41.4%), Kyle Korver (52.3%), Wesley Matthews (39.8%), J.J. Redick (43.6%), and Klay Thompson (44.0%). (Note: Current season three-point percentages are in parentheses)

     In almost any other year, any of these eight players would be the favorites to win the event. But this year, it's way too close to call. Judging by the statistics, one would say Kyle Korver is the clear front runner, but given that James Harden and Stephen Curry take a lot more pull up threes, the discrepancy there isn't as huge as one might think. Still, given that Kyle Korver is a catch and shoot shooter and this is a catch and shoot event, Kyle Korver has to be the favorite to win this event.

     In case you are not familiar with how three-point contests work, there are five racks of five balls that one has to shoot within 60 seconds. The last ball on each rack is typically called a "money ball" that is multi-colored like an ABA ball. Hitting a shot with the money ball is worth two points, so players really want to make sure they make those shots. Three players will advance to the finals and the best out of those three will be deemed the champion. I'm not entirely certain of the format since it sometimes changes from year to year, but my guess would be that each player gets two rounds and the top three from there will advance.

     If  I had to pick two other finalists to go alongside Kyle Korver,  I would have to go with Marco Belinelli and Klay Thompson. Marco because he's the defending champion and has experience with this event, and Klay because he's a catch and shoot shooter. However, I could see any number of possible outcomes happening, which is why this event has so many people buzzing. There really is no favorite and there really is no dark horse. Each and every participant is an accomplished shooter who knows how to hit open threes. I expect the scoring for this event to be through the roof and the bar raised to another level that we have never seen. It should be pretty wild!  (Note: This article also was featured on The Hardwood Nation blog. Click here for a link to the site)

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord