I remember watching the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend with particular interest because the three-point contest has always been my favorite event. There's something magical about watching the best shooters in the world compete in pure skill, no defense, just rhythm and precision. When Karl-Anthony Towns stepped onto that court in Cleveland, I had my doubts - big men don't typically dominate this competition, but boy did he prove me wrong.
The final round came down to Towns against Luke Kennard and Trae Young, with Towns putting on an absolutely spectacular performance that scored 29 points out of a possible 40. What impressed me most was his composure - he didn't rush, didn't panic, just methodically worked through his stations with that smooth release. I've followed Towns since his Kentucky days, and seeing him become the first center to ever win this contest felt like watching history. The way he utilized the two "Starry" balls worth three points each was particularly brilliant - he made all four of them, which essentially gave him an extra 6 points right there.
Thinking about that performance reminds me of something I heard from coach Tiongco in the Philippine basketball scene, where he emphasized how ball movement in the third quarter created a 31-point lead and how that momentum could carry into their all-Filipino conference. That's exactly what we saw with Towns - he found his rhythm and carried that confidence throughout the entire contest. The shooting display was so impressive that even Stephen Curry, who wasn't competing that year, was visibly amazed from the sidelines.
The complete results showed Towns defeating Luke Kennard (26 points) and Trae Young (26 points) in the final round, with Patty Mills, Zach LaVine, Desmond Bane, and Fred VanVleet eliminated in the first round. What many casual fans might not realize is how much strategy goes into these contests - the order of shooting spots, when to use the money balls, managing energy between rounds. Towns executed perfectly, saving his best for when it mattered most.
Looking back, I think this victory signaled a shift in how we perceive big men in basketball. They're no longer confined to the paint - they're versatile, skilled, and capable of beating the best shooters at their own game. The 29 points Towns scored in the final round ties as the fourth-highest score in contest history, which is remarkable considering the pressure he must have felt. I've watched every three-point contest since 2010, and this one stands out not just because of the historic nature of Towns' win, but because of how he changed our perception of what's possible for players at his position. The victory clearly boosted his confidence too - he went on to have one of his best scoring months in March, averaging around 32 points per game. Sometimes winning a skills competition like this can transform a player's entire season, and I believe we saw exactly that with Karl-Anthony Towns.