
From the All-Star Weekend in 1988, the story retained the coronation of Michael Jordan more to the Slam Dunk Contest, at his home in Chicago, against Dominique Wilkins rather than the hat-trick of Larry Bird in the 3-point competition.
For the past two years, the 3-PTS shooting competition has been on the program of the All-Star Weekend and Celtic is the king of the discipline with already two trophies and the legendary punchline “So, who will finish second?” », Let go in the locker room before hostilities in 1986. From the first competition, Larry Bird had put pressure on his competitors!
In 1987, rebelote, and it is Michael Cooper who tells: “Larry entered the locker room and said to us: 'I hope you all think of second place because I will win this one!' »» And he will win it again.
In 1988, we resume the same, or almost, and this time, Larry Bird said nothing … “He didn't say much” confirms Dale Ellis. “He just got into a small room to stretch.” But why did the Celtics winger say nothing? “I had nothing to say, they knew that I was going to win.”
Room afterwards, Larry Bird targets a third title in a row and he finds Dale Ellis in the final, the future winner in 1989. With 17 points, the triple MVP of the League is once again, with his arm raised on the Last shoot while the ball has not yet entered. All in tracksuit because “He is comfortable”.
With this hat-trick, Larry Bird is the co-dentor of the record for victories in this competition (with Craig Hodges) and it was he who definitely popularized this competition on Saturday evening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s-Lorhkatu