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February 02. 2013 10:03PM

NBA Life with Matt Bonner: Bonner says 3-point contest attention is very flattering

The NBA soon will release the list of participants in the 3-point shooting contest during All-Star weekend at Houston. Nobody knows how the selection process works but, at the very least, Matt Bonner is getting lots of attention the league can't help but notice.

Sunday News: To whom do you give credit for starting the whole campaign, David Hartley from the band The War on Drugs or your little brother?

Matt Bonner: I would have to give dual credit. David texted me and asked me about starting a campaign. They're a great band out of Philly, but it's not exactly U2. My first thought was, "Good luck to you." Then he coordinated with my brother, Luke, who wrote the open letter to the NBA. He's a very good writer.

It's all very flattering. I'm honored to have all the support. I would love to compete in the contest. This is what I do. I'm not going to play in the All-Star Game and I'm always overlooked for the dunk contest. It would be great to participate in the 3-point contest, even if I went 1-for-25. Just to be able to say I was selected as one of the best shooters in the league and had a chance to compete.

SN: Are you practicing a lot? Do you roll out racks of balls after practice and set the clock?

MB: I would love to practice more, but we'll be on a long road trip right up until All-Star break.

SN: What is the most consecutive 3-pointers you have made during practice? Have you ever kept track?

MB: From the college 3-point line, it's 68. From the NBA line, it's 49.

SN: Will you go to the All-Star weekend and bring your sneakers just in case you are needed as a last-minute participant?

MB: That was actually my pitch to the NBA a couple years ago. I was going to the All-Star Game for players' union business and figured I could save the league airfare.

SN: What did you think of Kobe Bryant calling you the "Red Mamba" and maybe giving you a new nickname?

MB: It's a big compliment because he's such a great player. I guess he meant it as a compliment. I don't know.

SN: Moving forward, are you the Red Rocket or the Red Mamba?

MB: I don't know. Maybe I'll be like Deion Sanders and have a ton of nicknames. You know what? This whole thing is awkward for me, having to talk about myself.

SN: Should the Celtics consider a big trade and "blow up" up the team and start over as many have suggested?

MB: I think that might be jumping the gun. What's a more pressing issue is who on the team is going to step up? We talked about this at the beginning of the year. They still have depth. They showed they can win games without Rajon Rondo by beating the Heat. That has to prove something to everyone in the locker room. I still enjoy watching guys like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett compete and would love to see them stay together, but, obviously, there is no easy decision.

Matt Bonner discusses The NBA Life each week with radio broadcaster Chris Ryan and New Hampshire Union Leader reporter Kevin Gray, and the interview appears weekly in the N.H. Sunday News.