Barry sticking to plan for three-point showdown

? Brent Barry plans to wear a shirt over his jersey during the three-point contest today, following the same plan he used while winning the Slam Dunk title in 1996.

Barry, a guard for the Seattle SuperSonics, is trying to become the first player to win both events, held each year during the All-Star weekend.

Today starts with the Rookie Challenge, a game between first-year and second-year players, and concludes with the Skills Challenge, Hoop-It-Up, three-point contest and the dunk event. The Skills Challenge is a new event, featuring four players competing against the clock while shooting, passing and dribbling through various stations on the court.

When Barry won the dunk title, he wore his warmups for all of his attempts, even though he claims it was an accident.

“Eight years ago, I was just so nervous I forgot to take the damn thing off,” he said. “This time around, I’ll probably leave my shooting shirt on over my jersey, because that’s what I’m used to shooting in.”

Peja Stojakovic of the Sacramento Kings is back to defend his three-point title, joining Barry, Pat Garrity of the Orlando Magic, Wesley Person of the Memphis Grizzlies, David Wesley of the New Orleans Hornets and Antoine Walker of the Boston Celtics.

To get ready, Barry practiced on the court at his house, working with a rack of balls to get the feel of how much time he’ll have.

“Winning the dunk contest was like a joke, I was like the sentimental favorite,” he said. “This time around, I have the skills to do it. Whoever gets hot is going to win, and I just hope I can get hot.”

Golden State’s Jason Richardson, the defending champ in the dunk contest, is back, along with 2001 winner Desmond Mason of Seattle. Rookie Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix and Richard Jefferson of New Jersey are the other competitors.

The 21-year-old Stoudemire joined the NBA straight out high school, and earned a starting spot with the Suns 10 games into the season. The 6-foot-10 forward is averaging 12.8 points, and figures to be Richardson’s main competition today.

“The guy has great physical skills,” Richardson said of Stoudemire. “He can just get after it on the court, and I expect great things from him.”

Richardson said he’s come up with a couple of new dunks, but Stoudemire said he didn’t practice specifically for the contest.

“I practiced in the first half of the season,” he said. “That’s all the practice I need.”

The dunk contest judges named Friday are Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins, Dee Brown and Spud Webb; all but Erving are past champions, and he won the inaugural contest as part of the American Basketball Association All-Star festivities in 1976.