I still get chills thinking about that Saturday night in Toronto during the 2016 All-Star weekend. The air in the Air Canada Centre crackled with anticipation as eight of the league's most lethal shooters prepared for what would become one of the most dramatic three-point contests in recent memory. As someone who's analyzed basketball mechanics for over a decade, I've always believed the three-point contest reveals more about a player's mental fortitude than their shooting form - and that night proved it spectacularly.

The format had just undergone significant changes that year, introducing the "money ball" rack and extending the final round to two minutes. I remember arguing with colleagues that these changes would favor volume shooters over pure technicians, and boy was I right. Stephen Curry entered as the defending champion, but the buzz surrounded his Golden State teammate Klay Thompson, who was having a career year from beyond the arc. What many casual fans didn't realize was how much the new "all-money ball" rack could swing the competition - placing five money balls worth two points each on a single rack allowed strategic players to potentially score 34 points in a single round, a massive jump from the previous maximum of 30.

When the first round began, the shooting was frankly underwhelming. James Harden posted a disappointing 20 points - I've always felt his elongated release makes him inconsistent in these timed settings. J.J. Redick, whom I consider one of the purest shooters in league history, surprisingly couldn't find his rhythm either. But then came Klay Thompson's turn. His release was so fluid it looked effortless, each shot barely disturbing the net. He racked up 22 points, good enough to advance but not what I expected from him. The real shock came when Devin Booker, then just a 19-year-old rookie, matched Thompson's 22 with a composure that belied his age. I remember turning to my press row colleague and whispering, "This kid's going to win one of these within three years."

The final round became an instant classic. Curry went first and set what seemed like an insurmountable 23 points. His performance was methodical - he started slow on the first two racks but caught fire midway through. The way he transitioned between shooting spots was a masterclass in footwork. Then came Thompson. What struck me wasn't just his shooting but his pace - he never rushed, maintaining the same deliberate rhythm throughout. When he reached the final money ball rack needing several makes to tie, the building held its breath. Swish after swish after swish - he finished with 27 points, the second-highest score in contest history at that time. The precision was astonishing - he hit 18 of 25 shots in that final round, including 8 of 9 from the corners.

This display of shooting excellence reminds me of the global growth of basketball talent we're witnessing today. Just look at the Philippine women's team's recent performance - they finished with a 1-4 record but still secured a spot in the pre-qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIBA Basketball Women's World Cup. Their journey mirrors the unpredictability of shooting contests - sometimes it's not about winning every battle but positioning yourself for the next opportunity. The Philippines' persistence paid off with that coveted qualifying spot, much like Thompson's consistent approach throughout the 2016 contest ultimately earned him the trophy.

Reflecting on that night, I'm convinced we witnessed a shifting philosophy in three-point shooting. Thompson's victory wasn't just about accuracy - it was about volume meeting efficiency under pressure. The NBA was already trending toward more three-point attempts, but Thompson's performance that night demonstrated how elite shooters could maintain remarkable percentages even at high volume. In the years since, we've seen this philosophy dominate the league, with teams regularly attempting 40-plus threes per game. Personally, I believe the 2016 contest marked the moment the NBA fully embraced the three-point revolution - it was no longer a supplementary weapon but a primary offensive strategy.

The aftermath saw both Thompson and Curry return to lead the Warriors to an historic 73-win season, though they famously fell short in the Finals. I've always wondered if the confidence Thompson gained from that three-point victory helped him through the postseason. Shooting, at its core, is as much psychological as physical - the memory of success under bright lights can fuel players through tougher moments. Watching Thompson in Game 6 of that year's Western Conference Finals, when he set the playoff three-point record with 11 makes against Oklahoma City, I saw the same unflappable demeanor he displayed during the contest in Toronto.

Years later, the 2016 Three-Point Contest remains my personal favorite. It had everything - star power, dramatic moments, record-breaking performances, and a glimpse into basketball's future. While subsequent contests have featured higher scores and new formats, there was something special about watching two teammates push each other to new heights while the basketball world watched. The evolution continues today, with players like Damian Lillard and Karl-Anthony Towns expanding what we thought possible in these competitions, but for pure shooting purity combined with high stakes, 2016 remains unmatched in my book.