Was there ever any doubt who was going to win the inaugural NBA three-point contest? In an event tailor-made for his precision marksmanship, Larry Bird won his first of three Long Distance Shootouts on February 8, 1986 by outdueling seven other participants. Before the event, Bird famously sized up his fellow competitors in the locker room and asked which of the lot would be coming in second place. Bird posted 16, 18 and 22 points in the contest’s three rounds, even banking in one his triples for good measure. Later that season, the inside-outside threat would win his third MVP award, third championship ring and second Finals MVP honor. Bird is one of just two players in league history to win the competition three times. · Feb 8, 1986