Kapono defends title in NBA 3-point shootout

Two-time defending NBA three-point king Jason Kapono is raring to get his hands on Spalding’s special edition purple and orange basketball in this year’s Three-Point Shootout of the All-Star weekend at the US Airways Center in Phoenix.

Kapono, the sharp-shooting guard of the Toronto Raptors, is trying to become the third player to win three straight three-point shooting titles after Craig Hodges (1990-92) and legendary Hall of Famer Larry Bird (1986-88).

Out to thwart Kapono’s bid for history are Indiana Pacers’ Danny Granger, Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, veteran Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks, Roger Mason of the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat’s Daequan Cook.

Along with Mark Price, Peja Stojakovic and Jeff Hornacek, Kapono is one of only four players to win the annual shooting spectacle twice.

The shootout will have all players seeing action in the two-round competition, with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals.

Five shooting stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four official Spalding NBA game balls worth one point each and one Spalding NBA All-Star 2009 commemorative purple and orange-colored ‘money ball’ worth two points at each location.

The Spalding money ball headlines the basketball maker’s latest line-up of NBA All-Star Player Jersey, a high-end glossy basketball design that will resemble the actual NBA All-Star game jerseys. All of them are available in all Proline Sports Center stores and other leading sports outlets in the country.

The All Star basketball is one of the many jersey balls that Spalding produces.

The Kobe Bryant jersey ball is currently the most popular jersey ball, reflecting the fact that the Bryant jerseys are the fastest selling jerseys nowadays.