Zach LaVine is putting his money where his mouth is for the NBA Three-Point Shootout.
The Chicago Bulls flamethrower will look to avenge himself this year after falling short in his first try last year. LaVine even revealed his new strategy: Putting the money balls in the corner. He put them at the top of the key last year, which he said ruined his chances at the title as he only finished with 23 points for fourth place (via KC Johnson of NBC Chicago).
LaVine has been right on the money from long range this season, averaging career-highs of 43.5 percent and 3.5 makes per game, which is tied for fifth in the entire NBA. Last January, he set a Bulls record by becoming the first player in team history to drain at least seven three-pointers in consecutive games. Not even Michael Jordan, Craig Hodges, John Paxson, and Steve Kerr were able to do it with the Bulls. Or Bill Wennington for that matter.
It won't be easy for LaVine in this year's Three-Point Shootout though as he will go up against fellow deep range specialists in 2015 winner Stephen Curry, 2018 winner Devin Booker, and first-time participants Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. Curiously, defending champion Buddy Hield begged off from the contest.
From being a high-flying guard out of UCLA, Zach LaVine has developed into one of the finest shooters in the NBA. After winning two trophies from the Slam Dunk Contest, he now wants to take his first Three-Point Shootout crown.
As they say, it's all about the money—money balls, that is.