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.

NEW ORLEANS — Considering he hadn’t heard from the league office as of Tuesday, Ben Gordon won’t be surprised that the NBA just released the six players to participate in the Three-Point Shootout during All-Star weekend and his name wasn’t included.

Toronto’s Jason Kapono, Indiana’s Danny Granger, Orlando’s Rashard Lewis, former Bull and current Spur Roger Mason Jr., and Atlanta’s Mike Bibby and Miami’s Daequan Cook are the shooters.

Gordon’s .409 percentage is higher than Granger’s, who is at .401. With 108 made three-pointers, Gordon ranks behind only Lewis, Bibby and Granger.

“I would go,” Gordon said recently when asked about the event. “But I’m not expecting to.”

Source: Chicago Tribune

This is just very disappointing and is a great injustice by the NBA. I will have more on Ben Gordon and the three point contest in a special commentary tommorrow.

Ben Gordon would like to be a participant in this year’s allstar weekend. Not necessary in the main event, but he has voiced his desire to participate in the NBA’s three-point shootout.

Gordon would not be disappointed if he was not inviting, 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.”

While Gordon is deserving of being invited to the contest, it is still unclear whether David Stern will actually invite Gordon after snubbing him for the past four years.

The three-point contest is not the only thing that Stern has snubbed Gordon from in the past. In 2007, when Jason Kidd went down with an injury, Stern had the chance to appoint Gordon as the allstar game replacement. Instead, Stern opted for Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks.

At that point in the season, Ben Gordon was averaging 21.2 points and 3.6 assists per game. Joe Johnson was averaging 25.2 points and 4.3 assists. Johnson had the edge statwise, but traditionally the NBA only picks players on good teams. Gordon’s Bulls were 29-24, while Johnson’s Hawks sat at 20-31. Joe Johnson was also scoring his points very inefficiently, while Gordon was one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA that year.

Gordon is currently tied with Mike Bibby for the second most threes this season with 79, trailing Rashard Lewis, who leads the NBA at 93.

Gordon is currently ranked 4th among active players in career three point percentage. He is 9th all-time. Gordon is currently ranked 109th in total three pointers made, and is quickly moving up the list. Gordon is on pace to finish top three among all-time three point shooters with Reggie Miller and Ray Allen.

Ben Gordon is the Bulls all-time three point shooter, recently passing up Scottie Pippen.

Gordon is clearly one of the best three point shooters of all time, and it is time for Stern to end his history of Gordon snubs.