I still remember watching the 2022 NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest with that familiar mix of anticipation and skepticism. As someone who's analyzed basketball shooting mechanics for over a decade, I've developed a keen eye for what separates good shooters from legendary ones. That night in Cleveland, Karl-Anthony Towns didn't just win the contest—he redefined what we thought possible for big men in shooting competitions.

When Towns stepped up for his final rack in the championship round against Luke Kennard and Trae Young, the atmosphere was electric. He needed to hit at least two of his last five shots to secure victory. What impressed me most wasn't just that he made them, but how he did it—with the calm precision of someone who'd been practicing those exact shots thousands of times. His final score of 29 points in the last round was particularly remarkable when you consider that he'd struggled earlier in the competition, barely making it out of the first round with 22 points. That progression from uncertainty to dominance reminded me of something I once heard from a Filipino coach about momentum: "At least, hanggang sa dulo, from first to fourth, nakuha ko na lalo na nung third quarter on how we shared the ball hanggang nakalamang kami ng 31." Towns captured that same energy—finding his rhythm as the pressure mounted and ultimately pulling away when it mattered most.

What many casual viewers might not appreciate is the technical mastery behind Towns' victory. At 6'11", he's one of the tallest players to ever win the three-point contest, which presents unique biomechanical challenges. Taller shooters typically have more moving parts in their shooting motion, making consistency harder to achieve. Yet Towns displayed remarkable fluidity, especially on his money-ball rack where he went a perfect 5-for-5 from the left wing. His release point was consistently high, and his follow-through remained textbook perfect even as fatigue set in during the final rounds. Having worked with numerous developing shooters, I can tell you that maintaining form under contest conditions is one of the most difficult skills to master.

The strategic element of Towns' performance deserves more attention than it typically receives. He employed what I like to call "progressive targeting"—starting conservatively on his first rack and gradually increasing his tempo as he found his rhythm. This approach differs significantly from the "all-gas-no-brakes" method some shooters prefer, but it proved devastatingly effective. His decision to place all his money balls on the left wing rack showed brilliant self-awareness—he identified his strongest position and maximized its point potential. In my coaching experience, too many shooters try to be equally strong from everywhere, when specialization often yields better results.

Looking back, Towns' victory wasn't just about that night in Cleveland—it represented a broader evolution in basketball. A center winning the three-point contest would have been unthinkable a decade earlier. His 29-point final round stands as one of the highest scores in contest history, just shy of the record 31 points Stephen Curry posted in 2021. What Towns accomplished should inspire coaches at all levels to reconsider positional limitations in skill development. I've personally adjusted my training approaches with young big men since watching that performance, incorporating more perimeter shooting drills regardless of their projected roles.

The legacy of that night extends beyond the trophy Towns lifted. He demonstrated that shooting excellence isn't bound by position or physical stature, but by dedication to craft and mental fortitude. His victory paved the way for more diverse shooting styles in the NBA and inspired a generation of young players who don't fit the traditional mold of a sharpshooter. As we look toward future three-point contests, Towns' 2022 masterpiece remains the gold standard for big men—a perfect blend of technical precision, strategic intelligence, and clutch performance that we'll be talking about for years to come.