Tiktekno, summary of today's events in sports, 16.2/Sport1
These days the All-Star dunk contest becomes the talk of the day in the United States.
But this morning (Sunday), not only the dunk contest became the secondary story of the night, but also the three-pointer contest cleared the stage for a different, much more fascinating three-pointer contest.
On the one hand, Stephen Curry, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, has won the All-Star Three-Point Contest twice before.
On the other hand is New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionesco, a WNBA legend in the making, who last year set a historic record with 37 points in the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest - more than any other player ever in the NBA.
In the NBA, the three-point challenge between Kerry and UNESCO was promoted as the "new battle of the sexes", 51 years after the original battle of the sexes that brought together Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King on the tennis court - and the two did not disappoint.
Even before UNESCO threw the first throw, TV commentator Kenny Smith managed to upset quite a few viewers and fans with chauvinistic comments.
"Sabrina should be allowed to throw three-pointers from the normal distance of the WNBA, and not from the distance of the NBA," said the veteran commentator, referring to the fact that UNESCO has taken it upon itself to throw three-pointers from NBA range.
While Ionesco was throwing, Smith also commented that she was using a smaller WNBA ball rather than a standard (and heavier) NBA ball and said that "she should be allowed to throw with a real ball."
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But Ionesco, who excelled at basketball from a very young age and became famous after her request to play on a boys' team alongside boys was turned down, gave Smith the perfect answer.
She finished her round with 26 points — the most points scored in the NBA's three-point competition — and edged Steph Curry.
For moments it looked like the Golden State star would lose, but he made 9 of his last 10 shots, including a crucial final shot that gave him the win with 29 points.
"What happened tonight proves to many young girls and young boys that if you can score, you can score - it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl," Ionesco said at the end of the competition, with Steph Curry next to her responding with thunderous applause.
Kenny Smith, by the way, was put on the spot by Reggie Miller, who interpreted the evening alongside him, when he told him after the competition: "You wanted her to go play with dolls. She almost beat Steph Curry."
"It is a privilege for me to join the NBA competition and receive so much respect and appreciation from NBA players. I knew that Steph wanted me to succeed, that he respected me as a scorer. I think what happened here can affect a lot of people who have never respected or watched women's sports , it will prove to them that we are also capable," UNESCO said.
"I believe that this evening will do a great service to the WNBA and women's sports in the United States and the world. I wish there were more competitions between NBA players and WNBA players."
A message for future generations.
UNESCO/GettyImages, Stacy Revere
"You need to do things like this more often," Steph Curry reinforced her.
"I couldn't have imagined a better script for this competition. Two shooters on one stage, one round, with all the hype around - and we still lived up to expectations. He set the standard for me, and it was unbelievable to see it. It was a significant piece."
More on the same topic:
Sabrina Ionesco
Stephen Curry