Gordon a candidate for 3-point contest?
The numbers say Ben Gordon should be invited to participate in the 3-point shooting contest during all-star weekend, but no one can say for sure what criteria will be used to select the contestants.
In past years, the NBA has favored players with a high number of 3-pointers made ahead of those with a good shooting percentage. Heading into Wednesday's action, Gordon was tied for third in 3-pointers made with 77, trailing Orlando's Rashard Lewis (90) and Atlanta's Mike Bibby (79).
Of the top 10 players in 3-pointers made per game, only San Antonio's Roger Mason Jr. (.477) and Bibby (.441) have a higher percentage than Gordon's .435.
"I remember one year they had Damon Jones in there," Gordon said. "I think sometimes they look for the personalities, too. I really don't know how they select. We'll see what happens."
Two-time defending champ Jason Kapono of Toronto figures to get an invite, though he's not having a great year behind the arc, with 38 baskets in 31 games. The rest of last year's six-man field included Richard Hamilton, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Peja Stojakovic and Daniel Gibson.
Asked if he'd be disappointed not to be invited this year, Gordon said, "No, it's not a big deal to me. But it is something that would be nice to be a part of. I've never been in a contest like that before. It would definitely be fun."
Cook remembers father: Magic forward and former Illinois star Brian Cook attended the funeral of his father, Norm, on Sunday in downstate Lincoln. Norm Cook played at Kansas, then briefly for the Boston Celtics before mental illness spoiled his marriage and sent the senior Cook on a difficult path.
"This is God's way of helping him," Brian was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel. "He doesn't have any worries anymore. He doesn't have any schizophrenic episodes or paranoia. It has been a tough ride with him."
Brian Cook played the final five minutes Wednesday and scored a basket with his mother and a group of friends in the audience.
Rose shut out: In just over 27 minutes of action Wednesday, rookie guard Derrick Rose scored 11 points but had no assists.
"Probably never," was Rose's answer when asked to recall the last time that happened. Rose has had three games this season where he finished with 1 assist.
Bull horns: Forward Drew Gooden missed his sixth game with a sprained right ankle, but he may try to return Friday when the Bulls play at Cleveland. Luol Deng (sprained left ankle) probably won't play this weekend. ... Magic stars Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson were good sports about the blowout win, giving away their shoes and jerseys to fans following the game.