Allen is joined by SuperSonics' teammate Vladimir Radmanovic; Denver's Voshon Lenard, the defending champion; Phoenix's Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson; and Kyle Korver of the Philadelphis 76ers in the contest.
NBA.com caught up with the long-range bombers on Friday to see who's feeling confident and who has the best shot at winning it all this year.
Q: Do you think the three-pointer can ever excite the fans like a big dunk does?
Allen: I think the dunk is out nowadays. Shooters are in nowadays. The dunk used to be the nail-in-the-coffin, used to be the demoralizer back in the early ‘90s, the whole decade. Now, when you see somebody just constantly pounding threes on a team, when you see it coming from me and you see it coming from Vlad (Radmanovic) and you see it coming from Rashard (Lewis), and we’re on the road, you can hear that deafening moan from the arena that the fans are like, “We’re about to get killed out here tonight.” So the three-point shot is very dangerous and it hurts the opponent.
Q: Would you trade your ability to hit a jumper to be able to jump?
Allen: The only reason I can shoot the ball well is that I work at it. So, I wouldn’t trade that skill. Athletic ability is something that’s given. To be able to shoot the ball well, consistently, night in and night out you have to work at it.
Q: How different do you think it will be to have to take balls off the rack as opposed to Nash passing to you?
Johnson: It's not as easy as it may look, it's kinda difficult, but I tell you, I think I can manage.
Q: How much do you and Quentin Richardson talk about this contest?
Johnson: We really don’t talk about it much other than during the media (availabilities). As far as when we’re amongst ourselves, we don’t really talk that much about it. We know we both have that competitive edge, but it’s not really going to come out until tomorrow night. I might not even speak to him.
Q: Do you guys have any side bets going?
Johnson: No we don’t have a bet going right now.
Q: The way you guys throw the ball up in Phoenix, you probably already have the endurance to hoist 30 shots in the contest?
Johnson: Yeah, it’s going to be exciting. I can’t wait. It’s going to be a big stage out there.
Q: Do you think you'll change your shooting style to conserve energy?
Johnson: I don't know, I'm going to just probably keep it the same. I don't want to change up anything at this point, so I'll just come out and enjoy the moment. As far as energy, it's going to be so exciting, it's going to be a big stage out there and I can't wait.
Q: Did you learn anything last year that may give you an advantage this year?
Korver: I think I’m just a lot more comfortable. I know what to expect; I know what’s going on. It’s not like you change your technique. I just think my confidence level’s a little higher and hopefully that will show.
Q: How different is it shooting without somebody guarding you?
Korver: I almost would prefer to have someone there. This is all about just finding a groove and riding it. You don’t get to warm up; you warm up and then you sit there for a while and it’s just who can get hot the fastest.
Q: Do you approach the contest as you shooting against yourself more than against the competition?
Korver: Yeah, basically. Obviously you have to beat the other guys. I have a certain score that I’m trying to get in my head but I’m not going to say it. So I’ll try to get that and if I do get that I’ll be happy.
Q: Are you happy that Voshon Lenard is able to defend his title from last year?
Korver: Yeah I am. I don’t know his story at all. I don’t know how his rehab is going, but good for him.
Q: Is he the man to beat?
Korver: He has to be. He won it last year. I don’t know how much he’s been shooting or whatnot, but he definitely has to be the one to beat.
Q: Who will be your biggest competition?
Lenard: Everybody. Everybody that’s on that roster for the three-point contest can shoot the ball so it’s going to be a difficult competition.
Q: But you’ve got the homecourt advantage …
Lenard: With the shooters they’ve got, Ray (Allen), (Kyle) Korver and those guys, it’s not really a homecourt advantage. You just have to try to go out and try to make as many shots as you can.
Q: How’s the rehab on your Achilles?
Lenard: The rehab’s been going good; I’m ahead of schedule and I don’t want to do anything. So, I’ll continue to work out until it’s 100 percent.
Q: Do you feel like the marked man because you’re the reigning champion?
Lenard: I don’t really feel like the marked man because I haven’t played in so long so I just want to get out there and have some fun.
Q: How much have you been able to practice? Lenard: Well I’ve been shooting pretty good but when you get out there and the lights get on, it’s a whole different situation. I’m used to it, so it should be fun.
Q: What’s it like to be a part of this?
Radmanovic: It’s great. It’s a great feeling just to be here with all those guys knowing that you’re going to be a three-point contest. I just want to see all those guys with a sad face when we finish it.
Q: Have you been practicing?
Radmanovic: I’m practicing every day. I’m playing the games and shooting the threes, so every day I step on the floor I’m practicing. All I’m going to do is step up, shoot my threes, have another practice and see what happens.
Q: Do you have any favorite three-point shooters?
Radmanovic: Somebody told me that Larry Bird came out in the lockerroom and said, “Okay, who’s going to be second here?” So I think that’s kind of cool; a little cocky, but cool. And he won it. So you have confidence for sure if you want to be there. If you’re thinking of losing, don’t even go there. I think every guy here is thinking about winning so we’re going to see who’s the lucky one.
Q: Are you surprised that Voshon Lenard is able to defend his title despite being out for the season with an Achilles injury?
Radmanovic: I am. I’m surprised he’s participating. I don’t know how healthy he is right now. Also, that’s a great thing that he decided to be here with an injured leg and try to defend your title. You have to give him credit for that.
Q: Have you and Joe Johnson been talking about the Shootout?
Richardson: No, not really. Not yet. Joe’s kind of quiet. He hasn’t really said a lot to me about the competition yet. But, I’m going to mess with him a little bit.
Q: Who do you think will fare better between the two of you?
Richardson: I don’t know. It depends. We get in a good rhythm, we both can get pretty hot. I just hope he does as well as me.
Q: So no bets between you two on the contest?
Richardson: No. Not yet.
