NBA
Malik Beasley makes a bold prediction for All-Star weekend
Mat Issa is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Yes, he spells his name with one "t." He's obsessed with NBA history, so much so that he's dedicated nearly two years of research to his two mini-series', "Blazing the Trail" and "The Quest for the Best." Right now, Mat goes to law school and writes about the NBA for The Analyst, Forbes, and of course, Basketball Insiders. His work has also been featured in ESPN, SB Nation, FanSided, Basketball News, ONE37pm, and Raptors Republic. Also, he's a lifelong Spartans fan. Go Green!
All posts by Mat IssaUpdated14 Jan 2024
After hardly playing during the Los Angeles Lakers Western Conference Finals run, Malik Beasley is making a big difference on the Milwaukee Bucks, starting all 37 games he’s played in for the 27-12 team that currently sits second in the Eastern Conference.
Even with his contributions in mind, what Beasley had to say about what he would do during All-Star weekend if given the chance was pretty bold.
2024 3-Point Contest Champion
No, Beasley did not suggest that he should be in the All-Star game. Despite fulfilling his role wonderfully, he’s not an All-Star caliber player. But Beasley does think he is worthy of being in the 2024 Starry 3-Point Contest.
And not only does Beasley think he should be in the contest, but he thinks that he has a real shot to win the event this year, which would likely mean dethroning his current backcourt running mate.
Bucks guard Malik Beasley, who leads league in 3-PT percentage, hoping for invite to 3-PT Contest: “I think I can win. Me and Dame already been talking smack.” pic.twitter.com/mjd9ZoEGQV
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 14, 2024
“Man, it’s tough for me. Obviously, I would love to. [I’d be] excited,” Beasley told NBA Insider Chris Haynes. “I don’t know if you know this, but in the last three years, I’m in the top-2/top-3 in field goals made from three overall. So, I’m shooting the ball pretty well. What’s tough for me is the political stuff.”
“But, hopefully, this year, I get in. If I don’t, then I’m supporting my guys. But I think I can win. Me and Dame already been talking smack because you know he won last year. So, he thinks he’s got it easy. I’m like, ‘Bro, if I come in there, there’s a new sheriff in town.’ And he’s like, ‘Alright, we’re going to see.’ So, we’ve been going at it talking about the 3-point contest.”
Does He Have A Point?
As is the case with many professional athletes, Beasley is extremely confident. Beasley doesn’t care if Damian Lillard is one of the greatest shooters ever. He thinks he can beat him in a shooting contest. But you have to hand it to Beasley. He might have a case.
Beasley is currently leading the league in 3-point percentage (47.8%) while also being in the 80th percentile in 3-point attempts per 100 possessions. Lillard is in the 89th percentile in 3-point attempts per 100. But he’s only 120th in the NBA in 3-point percentage this year (35.3%).
Before Lillard won it last year, Karl-Anthony Towns won the competition in 2022, and Stephen Curry won it in 2021.
