Filed under: Magic, Raptors, NBA All-Star Game
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Magic guard Jason Richardson thinks he can do what Michael Jordan failed to do. And he's ready to prove it.Richardson, two-time winner of the NBA's Slam Dunk contest, wants a spot in the 3-Point Shootout during All-Star Weekend, hoping to make league history.
No player ever has won both contests. Only nine other NBA players have participated in both contests during their careers.
Ray Allen of Boston is the only slam-dunk participant ever to win the 3-point contest. And Brent Barry and Michael Jordan are the only slam-dunk winners to be in the 3-point contest.
"That would be something, if I could be the first,'' Richardson told FanHouse Friday night after the Magic's easy victory over the Toronto Raptors. "I know guys have tried it. Michael tried it, and it's not easy to do.''
Richardson first has to participate in the Shootout, which he strangely never has done. He was invited in 2008 -- the season he led the NBA in 3-pointers made with 243 -- but he turned down the invite for family reasons.
"I'd like the chance now. I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm still hoping,'' he said. "I would do it. And I think I'd have a chance (to win it).''
Richardson is shooting 41 percent from 3-point range this season. He is one of just two players in the league to have made 100 3-pointers this season. Dorrell Wright of Golden State has made 108 of them.
The NBA is expected to announce the contestants for the 3-point Shootout during the first week of February. All-Star Weekend will be held in Los Angeles next month.
Magic center Dwight Howard Friday was lobbying for teammate J.J. Redick, who also wants an invite, but Redick has made only 60 this season. Before he was traded to Orlando in December, Richardson twice made seven 3-pointers in a game for Phoenix.
"It would be kind of nice to get invited,'' he said. "I would go. I'd definitely go.''
Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/22/jason-richardson-wants-to-go-where-michael-jordan-never-could/
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