He has never been the flashiest player in the league, although his late game scoring bouts have electrified the United Center crowd. The announcers of opposing teams rave about how he has one of the most deadly shots in the league, but he has never been invited to the three point contest. How does it feel to be the greatest, but not desired? You would have to ask Ben Gordon about that one.

photo by radiospike.com

Standing at 708 career three pointers, Ben Gordon is just 43 three pointers away from breaking Nick Van Exel’s record for most three pointers by a player in their first five years in the league. To break this record, Gordon would just have to make 1.35 three pointers per a game for the remainder of the season, Gordon is currently averaging 2.2 three pointers per a game this season.

Gordon did not get to this point by just taking an absurd volume of three pointers.  He did it by being accurate. Out of the top 100 players in three pointers made in their first five years in the league, only two players: Mark Price at #82 with 358 three pointers made and Hubert Davis, down at #90 with 333 three pointers made, have a higher three point percentage than Gordon’s 41.5%.

However, when the NBA unveiled the contestants for the three point contest yesterday, Gordon was left off, in favor of Mike Bibby, Daequan Cook, Danny Granger, Jason Kapono, Rashard Lewis, and Roger Mason Jr.

A strong case could have been made for Gordon participating this year. He is currently fifth in the NBA this year in three pointers made with 111 three pointers. Daequan Cook is the most curious inclusion as Gordon has the same three point percentage, but more three pointers made.

But this isn’t just about this year. It is about the last five years, where Gordon has been snubbed from the contest year after year. This begs for the following question to be asked, “How can a player be able to become the greatest young player in league history to shoot the three point shot, but not be deemed good enough to receive an invite to the three point contest during the NBA’s Allstar Weekend?”

He is the Chicago Bulls’ all-time three point shooter, breaking Scottie Pippen’s record earlier this year.  He has the 10th highest career three point percentage in NBA history and is fourth among active players.

Back in January, Gordon was ready to receive disappointing news regarding the contest, saying, “No, it’s not a big deal to me. But it is something that would be nice to be a part of. I’ve never been in a contest like that before. It would definitely be fun.”

“I remember one year they had Damon Jones in there,” Gordon said. “I think sometimes they look for the personalities, too. I really don’t know how they select. We’ll see what happens.”

Ben Gordon probably still is confused on the selection process, as is everyone else.

What will it take for Gordon to prove that he deserves to be in the contest when being the best is not enough? It is a shame that during Allstar Weekend, in the NBA greatness is not desired.

Similar Posts:

• Gordon Not Invited to Three Point Contest
• Gordon’s Time Is Now
• Gordon Not To Participate In Horse
• Bulls Fail To Make Allstar Cut
• Ben Gordon To Compete In H.O.R.S.E.

Tags: 2009 Allstar Weekend, Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls, Daequan Cook, Damon Jones, Danny Granger, Hubert Davis, Jason Kapono, Mark Price, Mike Bibby, Rashard Lewis, Roger Mason Jr., three point contest, three point shootout

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.