The NBA today announced the six participants for the three-point contest for NBA All-Star Weekend at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Slated to compete in the 2011 Foot Locker Three-Point Contest are Ray Allen and Paul Pierce of the Celtics, Kevin Durant of the Thunder, Daniel Gibson of the Cavaliers, Dorell Wright of the Warriors, and James Jones of the Heat. The two-round event features two past contest winners in Pierce and Allen.
Allen, who is one behind Reggie Miller for the most three-pointers made in NBA history, is shooting a career-high 46.2% from three-point range this season. Allen won the three-point contest in 2001 while with Milwaukee. Allen is also a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star team, his 10th career All-Star appearance.
Pierce won last year's contest and is shooting 40.1% from distance this season. He leads the Celtics in scoring, at 19.0 points per game, and he joins Allen as an All-Star, the ninth such honor of his career. Durant is a starter for the Western Conference All-Star team, and is shooting 34.7% from three-point range this season.
Gibson competed in the 2007-2008 three-point contest, and is shooting 43.9% from distance this season. This is the first career three-point contest appearance for both Wright and Jones.