Three-Point Contest finalised

The announcement for who would be competing in the NBA All-Star three-point contest came on the weekend. The big names are Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce, but the contest is so different from game action that it will be interesting to see how the lesser names go and whether or not Daequan Cook can defend his title.

Click on the title below to read the full story and check out last year's contest in the video below.

NBA.com: Talented field aiming for Cook in Three-Point Contest

The call came as a shock to Stephen Curry. Not so much for Channing Frye. Danilo Gallinari expects to win ... even if he doesn't know who exactly he's competing against.

Those three, along with All-Stars veterans Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce, have defending champion Daequan Cook in their sights as the Three-Point Contest returns to its NBA birthplace. The long-distance showcase, a staple of All-Star Saturday Night, debuted 24 years ago in Dallas with Larry Bird claiming the inaugural event at Reunion Arena.

Larry Legend would go on to win the next two years, entrenching the Three-Point Contest as a must-see during All-Star weekend. Cook doesn't come close to Bird's megawatt star power, but the Heat reserve guard is shooting to become the seventh repeat winner in the contest's history. Cook outlasted Rashard Lewis in an overtime round last year in Phoenix.

'It made people look at me different,' Cook said, 'as one of the best 3-point shooters in the game. It made me respected.'

The competitors are ready.

Danilo Gallinari - NBA shooter to watch

From my previous post about a great NBA shooter of the past, its time to highlight one just starting out but quickly gaining attention.

Most people wouldn't have heard of Danilo Gallinari yet, but that could all change soon as he's playing on the biggest stage, in the biggest market, New York. Drafted by the Knicks with the 6th pick in the 2008 draft, Danilo missed most of the year due to a back injury but is looking to make up for that lost time.

In game 1 of this season, the young Italian exploded off the bench with 22 points including 7 of 13 from downtown. Game 2 was a little quieter with 16 points and 3 triples but inserted in to the starting line-up tonight, Gallinari exploded for 30 points including 8 of 16 from downtown and a perfect 4 of 4 from the line.

Its early days for Danilo but he's definitely a shooter to keep an eye on.