"Who wants it? Who wants it?"
The "it" of which Eric Bledsoe was asking was a game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation. The scene of the question, however, was far different than what the Suns point guard usually experiences. Instead of a determined expression in the middle of a regular season game, the 6-1 floor general offered the chance at glory with a smile on his face while wearing a visor on his head.
Sound a little informal? That's because the game in question took place in Bledsoe's hometown of Birmingham, Ala., where he hosted his second annual celebrity basketball game earlier this month. The "contest" featured several of the veteran's Phoenix teammates, including Archie Goodwin, Brandon Knight, Alex Len and Devin Booker, all of whom took turns showcasing three-pointers, dunks and dribbling to please the crowd in attendance.
The game took on a new edge at the end, however, when the white team took a three-point lead with eight seconds remaining. Bledsoe, who captained the black team, delightedly asked his players who should take the final shot. Goodwin made a strong case for himself by reminding everyone of his game-winning three-pointer against Atlanta last season.
"I've got a game-winner under my belt," Goodwin said. "I'm just saying, you want a three-ball, you know who to give it to."
The fourth-year guard did get the ball on the final possession, but a quick double-team poked the ball loose toward Booker, who quickly launched from beyond the arc. The shot hit the left side of the rim, which made Bledsoe tackle his young teammate with laughter as the buzzer sounded.