RIP in 3 point shoot out...

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 06053/1051

Pistons guard Rip Hamilton is getting his wish -- an entry into the three-point contest at the All-Star Saturday Night, Feb. 16, at New Orleans. Hamilton will face off against L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, defending champ Jason Kapono, Peja Stojakovic, Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

Hamilton made the All-Star Game as a reserve. He also led the NBA in three-point shooting two seasons ago and said last week, "I'm campaigning; I'm everything. The only reason why I'm so interested in it is because everyone underestimates me. Everyone says I can't shoot threes since the (Larry Brown) era. They still ain't giving me my respect on my tramp ball." Some of Hamilton's teammates had hoped he would make it, if only to hear him stop talking about his shooting prowess."I want him in," Chauncey Billups said last week. His reasoning? So Hamilton can realize how difficult it is. "I came in last twice."

Billups said he tried to convince Hamilton that the contest isn't as easy as it looks, but Hamilton wasn't listening. "He told me that," Hamilton said. "But I ain't Chauncey. He can't shoot better threes than me either."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... 70422/1127

Pistons guard Richard Hamilton was named to compete in the 3-point shooting contest Feb. 16 at the All-Star game. He will face Kobe Bryant , defending champion Jason Kapono , Daniel "Boobie" Gibson , Peja Stojakovic and Steve Nash at New Orleans Arena.

Hamilton hopes to fare better than Billups, who finished last in the 2004 shootout. "They (NBA) were supposed to put me in for the last three years, but they robbed me," Hamilton said. "But the greatest thing is that they put Kob (Bryant) in there and he can't shoot better than me. He never could beat me in a shootout, so it's another opportunity to let him know he can't shoot better than me. I just had to put that out there."

Bryant and Hamilton have known each other since childhood, playing on AAU teams in the Philadelphia area together and against each other. Hamilton has been on the receiving end of a lot of skepticism about his chances and unsolicited advice. "I've got a lot of haters out there -- in this locker room and outside, but it ain't nothing new," Hamilton said. "Chaunce (Billups) wanted to give me advice, Terry Porter wanted to give me advice. I said, 'I'm not going to take advice from the person who didn't win the event.' You know? I'm going to go out, do my job and hopefully win."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 70410/1051

It's time for Richard Hamilton to put his game where his mouth is.After campaigning for a spot in All-Star Weekend's Three-Point Shootout, the NBA granted Hamilton's wish on Wednesday, putting him into the contest alongside previous winners Jason Kapono and Peja Stojakovic as well Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, and Suns guard Steve Nash.

One competitor in particular had Hamilton excited Wednesday."The greatest thing about it is they put Kobe in the three-point contest," said Hamilton, who has been a rival of Bryant's since their high school days in Philadelphia. "And he can't shoot better than me. He's never beat me in a shoot-out ever."His teammates don't seem so sure. They wonder whether Hamilton can make shots anywhere besides his favorite spots in the corners.Hamilton ranked sixth in percentage with 46.7% (43 of 92) before Tuesday. Pistons guard Chauncey Billups entered the contest twice, finishing last each time, but he said he's predicting Hamilton as the winner.

"Now that he's in, I'm rolling with him," Billups said. "We're going to the top, baby." Pistons forward Jarvis Hayes said the team brought in some extra ball racks to help Hamilton begin preparing for the contest, which is played during All-Star Saturday night's festivities. Forward Rasheed Wallace, though, said he'd hypothetically root for Orlando center Adonal Foyle before Hamilton. "(Wallace) thinks if he (Hamilton) wins that'll be bad for us," coach Flip Saunders said, "because then he'll want to shoot threes all the time."Hamilton hears his teammates' comments and uses them as motivation."Exactly," Hamilton said. "I've got a lot of haters out there in this locker room and outside this locker room. But it ain't nothing new."

[prophet_of_rage]

Does anybody realise how funny all those quotes were? However he does he's got the whole Muhammed Ali thing down pat. And Rasheed Wallace remains the funniest cat in the league.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... hreep.html

After campaigning for a spot last week, the NBA has awarded Rip Hamilton a chance to compete in the Three-Point Shootout during the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. While Chauncey Billups is pulling for his backcourt teammate, at least one Piston is hoping Hamilton fails.

Forward Rasheed Wallace, though, said he'd hypothetically root for Orlando center Adonal Foyle before Hamilton. "(Wallace) thinks if he (Hamilton) wins that'll be bad for us," coach Flip Saunders said, "because then he'll want to shoot threes all the time."

Hamilton hears his teammates' comments and uses them as motivation."Exactly," Hamilton said. "I've got a lot of haters out there in this locker room and outside this locker room. But it ain't nothing new."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/langloi ... 80207.html

Hamilton started shooting one rack at a time from the five spots that make up the 3-point circuit

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/allstar2008/three_po ... 80206.html

Shootout Participants - *2007-08 Season* *Career*
PLAYER TEAM Made Att. Pct. Made Att. Pct.
Kobe Bryant Lakers 84 238 .353 1,020 3,015 .338
Daniel Gibson Cavaliers 104 222 .468 156 346 .451
Richard Hamilton Pistons 43 92 .467 312 911 .342
Jason Kapono Raptors 50 98 .510 280 599 .467
Steve Nash Suns 101 216 .468 1,174 2,737 .429
Peja Stojakovic Hornets 122 264 .462 1,317 3,260 .404
(*Statistics through games of Tuesday, Feb. 5)

[Manocad]

I think Rip will do just fine. I don't think he'll win, but he won't bomb like Chauncey did. As has already been stated he's a good rhythm shooter. I'm looking forward to it, moreso than when Chauncey was in it.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... azers.html

After Thursday's practice, a number of Pistons players and coaches hung around helping Richard Hamilton practice for the 3-point competition he will be in during All-Star weekend. While Hamilton remains confident that he will win the competition, his teammates have their doubts.

Hamilton, who is shooting a team-best 46.8 percent from 3-point range this season, had a number of stretches where he made 3-pointers from various points. But he struggled during his initial use with all five racks of balls. Players must make as many shots as they can from five different spots behind the 3-point line, in 60 seconds or less.

"He don't have rapid fire in his magazine," quipped teammate Rasheed Wallace. Pistons guard Chauncey Billups has been in the competition before, and has talked with Hamilton on what it will be like. But Billups is quick to add that his advice might not be the best. "I can't give him too many tips. I came in last," said Billups referring to his sixth-place finish last year. "So I don't know how to really do it."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 1/SPORTS03

Very entertaining scene to end today

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... 80366/1127

The Pistons ran through a light practice Thursday, but it was what happened afterwards that was the most interesting.

Richard Hamilton started his preparations for the NBA's 3-point shooting contest, staying nearly an hour to shoot hundreds of 3s. Hamilton had a lot of help, with Rasheed Wallace , assistant coach Michael Curry , Tayshaun Prince , Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson staffing his shooting practice.

Other players, such as Chauncey Billups , stuck around to see how Hamilton was faring. Hamilton has about a week to practice. The contest is the evening of Feb. 16.

[Phobo_Phile]

Who would win:

Richard
Chauncey
Rasheed
Jarvis
Tayshaun
Hunter

Seriously, I'd take Sheed. Espicially if there wasn't a time limit.

[prophet_of_rage]

This is why I love the Pistons. You see the fun they're having with this ... the bonding, the competitiveness. It's perfect. Whatever may happen with the contest this is nothing but a good thing for the Pistons.

[The Emcee]

Seriously, I'd take Sheed. Espicially if there wasn't a time limit.

As a Portland fan, I'm sure you know as well as I do the last thing you want is Sheed falling too far in love with the 3.

[prophet_of_rage]

Seriously, I'd take Sheed. Espicially if there wasn't a time limit.

As a Portland fan, I'm sure you know as well as I do the last thing you want is Sheed falling too far in love with the 3.

That's why it's so hilarious to hear him talk about Rip falling in love with the 3 being a bad thing. It's worse for a shooting guard to fall in love with the 3 than a 6'11 post player?

[nasty daddy]

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/ ... 8208.shtml

Richard Hamilton's preparation for the 3-Point Shootout during All-Star weekend has begun in earnest. Hamilton spent more than a half-hour after practice Thursday shooting racks of balls from beyond the arc.

At first, Hamilton did two racks at a time. Eventually, even though there were only three ball racks in the practice facility, he was able to shoot five shots at five different locations in a minute's time. That's what he'll have to do in the contest. Rasheed Wallace played timekeeper while he and Hamilton exchanged verbal jabs. Hamilton will face a tough field that includes defending champion Jason Kapono, Peja Stojakovic, Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and Daniel Gibson. "I'm ready. They made the right decision," said Hamilton, a first-time competitor. "They robbed me for years, not being in that contest, but now they did the right thing."

He's especially pleased that Bryant, his former AAU teammate, will be in the field. "The greatest thing about it is they put 'Kob' in the 3-point contest and he can't shoot better than me," Hamilton said. "He's never beaten me in a shootout, ever. This is another opportunity to let him know he can't shoot better." The last Piston to participate in the 3-point event was Chauncey Billups, who finished last in 2004.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... _cont.html

After a whole lot of yapping following Saturday's practice, Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton and starting center Rasheed Wallace went at each other in an impromptu 3-point shooting contest with Hamilton coming away victorious."I will not lose a shooting contest to a big man!" Hamilton yelled to no one in particular. He'll be in search of similar success as a participant in next weekend's 3-point shooting contest.

With the help of Pistons assistant coach Michael Curry and a number of his teammates, Hamilton has been putting in a considerable amount of time after practice shooting 3-pointers from five different racks in 60 seconds or less -- the same conditions he'll face next weekend.Hamilton has looked pretty good thus far, although the competition next weekend will be significantly better. New Orleans' sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic won the contest back-to-back years (2002 and 2003) and Toronto's Jason Kapono, the event's defending champion, is shooting an NBA-best 51 percent from 3-point range this season. Others competing include Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Cleveland's Daniel Gibson and Phoenix All-star Steve Nash. If Hamilton doesn't win, it won't be because he took the contest lightly. Pistons assistant Terry Porter finished his career ranked among the NBA's all-time leaders in 3-pointers made and attempted. He was in the 3-point shooting contest twice, and has a couple of second-place finishes to show for it. He has been among the many Pistons players and coaches to offer tips and words of advice to Hamilton this week.

Porter said he didn't practice for the contest the first time he was in it, but did so when he was invited a second time. "It takes a while," said Porter, whose 1,297 3-pointers rank 15th in NBA history. "You have to get used to shooting it that fast. It's not a game situation. In a game situation, you may get one every four or five possessions. But now, it's one after another." As important as developing a rhythm is, Porter said Hamilton must also be mindful of his footing. "The biggest thing with Rip is making sure he doesn't get those big 17s (Hamilton's shoe size) on the line," Porter said. If he does that, he just may shock most of his teammates and win the shoot-out which will result in a lot more yapping from Hamilton. "We won't hear the last of it," Porter said. "You guys know. It's going to be over."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 00655/1051

Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace were going at it hard Saturday. The Philadelphia natives squared off in several three-point shooting contests after practice that drew plenty of laughs and trash talking -- all good-natured, of course. Hamilton has been working extra hard on the long ball since he was chosen to compete in the Three-Point Shootout in next weekend's NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. On Saturday, his teammates gave him a hand. Jordan Dumars, son of Pistons president Joe Dumars, manned the clock, which was set to 60 seconds. Amir Johnson made sure each ball rack was always full. Since the team had only two racks for five spots on the court, Johnson had to lug each rack to the next station as quickly as possible. Teammates like Tayshaun Prince, as well as members of the coaching staff, were there to rebound.

Assistant coach Terry Porter -- who addressed the media in place of coach Flip Saunders -- participated in two Three-Point Shootouts as a player, finishing second in 1991 and 1993. Porter said there really isn't much advice he can give Hamilton, except that he has to find a rhythm fast. "It takes awhile," Porter said. "You've got to get used to shooting it that fast. It's not a game situation. In a game situation, you may get one every four or five possessions. But now it's one after the other. When you start advancing to the next round, that's when your legs start getting tired. You've got to get used to that."

Hamilton is deadly from the corners with his three-point shot, but he'll also have to shoot from the wings and the top of the key. Porter said the hardest shot for him was from the wings. But Saturday, Hamilton was draining almost everything and racked up several high scores. "If you can make as many of the money balls as you can -- they're worth two -- that's the key. It always helps you," Porter said. Should Hamilton win, his teammates will never hear the end of it. "You guys know," Porter said with a chuckle, "it's going to be over." Porter said he'll be watching the event from home with his sons. Hamilton, of course, won't be shy of supporters. "I have my money on him," Johnson said. "I've got his back. I think he'll do pretty good."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 00655/1051

Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace were going at it hard Saturday. The Philadelphia natives squared off in several three-point shooting contests after practice that drew plenty of laughs and trash talking -- all good-natured, of course. Hamilton has been working extra hard on the long ball since he was chosen to compete in the Three-Point Shootout in next weekend's NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.

On Saturday, his teammates gave him a hand. Jordan Dumars, son of Pistons president Joe Dumars, manned the clock, which was set to 60 seconds. Amir Johnson made sure each ball rack was always full. Since the team had only two racks for five spots on the court, Johnson had to lug each rack to the next station as quickly as possible. Teammates like Tayshaun Prince, as well as members of the coaching staff, were there to rebound. Assistant coach Terry Porter -- who addressed the media in place of coach Flip Saunders -- participated in two Three-Point Shootouts as a player, finishing second in 1991 and 1993. Porter said there really isn't much advice he can give Hamilton, except that he has to find a rhythm fast. "It takes awhile," Porter said. "You've got to get used to shooting it that fast. It's not a game situation. In a game situation, you may get one every four or five possessions. But now it's one after the other. When you start advancing to the next round, that's when your legs start getting tired. You've got to get used to that."

Hamilton is deadly from the corners with his three-point shot, but he'll also have to shoot from the wings and the top of the key. Porter said the hardest shot for him was from the wings. But Saturday, Hamilton was draining almost everything and racked up several high scores. "If you can make as many of the money balls as you can -- they're worth two -- that's the key. It always helps you," Porter said.Should Hamilton win, his teammates will never hear the end of it."You guys know," Porter said with a chuckle, "it's going to be over." Porter said he'll be watching the event from home with his sons. Hamilton, of course, won't be shy of supporters. "I have my money on him," Johnson said. "I've got his back. I think he'll do pretty good."