He has never been in the NBA 3-point shootout before. He hasn't taken any practice shots. But hey, this is Disney World, the Happiest Place on Earth. And Jazz guard John Stockton says he expects to enjoy Saturday's event, regardless.
Stockton will join seven other players Saturday evening in the American Airlines/ITT Sheraton Shootout at Orlando Arena, and vie for the chance to win the $20,000 first prize. "That's all I need is to put pressure on myself about that," laughed Stockton.The 3-point competition is part of the three-event evening, beginning at 5 p.m. (MST). TNT Sports will televise the events, including the Schick Legends Classic, the 3-point Shootout and the Gatorade Slam-Dunk Championship.
Players competing with Stockton in the Shootout include Chicago's Craig Hodges, Cleveland's Craig Ehlo, Charlotte's Dell Curry, Phoenix's Jeff Hornacek, Sacramento's Jim Les and Mitch Richmond and New Jersey's Drazen Petrovic.
Hodges, who has won the past two years, made a record 19 straight three-pointers last year.
Asked if he thinks anyone will top Hodges' amazing performance last year, Hornacek said, "Nineteen in a row? No, I don't think so. That would be pretty tough."
Stockton, who is second in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (.452), considers the competition an afterthought to regular-season play. "We were playing up to yesterday (Thursday) and the games and practices were more important," he said. "Winning games is more important. So I haven't practiced (for the 3-point competition). I haven't worked on my timing with a rack or anything. I'm just going to have fun. Maybe I won't make any, or maybe I'll make a whole lot."
Prior to Hodges winning the three-point competition, the honors were won by Dale Ellis (1989) and Larry Bird (1986-1988). Bird was unable to compete this year due to an injury. He was replaced by Curry for the 3-point competition and by Washington's Michael Adams in the All-Star Game on Sunday.
The evening's activities will begin with the annual Legends' Game. This year the Legends' team includes Rick Barry, Dave Bing, Dave Cowens, George Gervin, Connie Hawkins, Spencer Haywood, Norm Nixon, Clifford Ray, Dan Roundfield and Jo Jo White on the East; Alvan Adams, Doug Collins, Artis Gilmore, Bobby Jones, Bob Love, Maurice Lucas, Calvin Murphy, Oscar Robertson, David Thompson and Jamaal Wilkies on the West.Each team has won four Legends' games.
The night's final event will be the slam-dunk competition. That will include Orlando's Nick Anderson, Atlanta's Stacey Augmon, Phoenix's Cedric Ceballos, Charlotte's Larry Johnson, Seattle's Shawn Kemp, New York's John Starks and Minnesota's Doug West.
Kemp, who finished second to Boston's Dee Brown last year, said he considered not playing this time. "Last year after the dunk contest, my legs and knees were tired for two weeks," he said.
Saturday's events are merely a lead-in to Sunday's All-Star Game. But that, too, is taken lightly by the players.
"I'm just going to come here, relax with my family and have a good time," said Jazz forward Karl Malone. "This is a party, so to speak. Either you're involved or you're not."
Phoenix's Jeff Hornacek is making his first visit to the All-Star Game as a player in the game, as is teammate Dan Majerle.
"We're just happy to be here," Hornacek said. "We're excited because it's the first time. We'll just be out there having fun.
"I think everyone will be pretty relaxed. We'll try hard, but it's a relaxed atmosphere."
Despite recent controversy over whether Magic Johnson should play in the All-Star Game, the players seem to agree it's Magic's decision.
"I have no problem with it (Johnson playing) at all," said the Mailman. "That's all I've got to say."
He added that he isn't concerned about possible health risks involved with playing against Johnson. "What you do is just go out and play," he said. "You can't walk around all the time in a latex body bag."
Meanwhile, Philadelphia's Charles Barkley agreed. "I never said he shouldn't play," said Barkley, refuting previous reports. "I'm looking forward to playing against and with him."
He continued, "The nitwits in the media try to turn what I said around, but I can deal with it. I look forward to dealing with him and playing with him in the Olympics, too."