LeBron petitions for J.R. Smith in 3-point contest

Through his first 27 games of the season, J.R. Smith amassed one 20-point performance while shooting a solid, yet pedestrian 35 percent from 3-point territory.

Now the veteran shooting guard has put together three straight performances with at least 24 points, knocking down 18 of 30 (60 percent) long-range attempts, and "The King" has taken notice.

"I think I might need to start making that petition," LeBron James said of lobbying to get Smith into next month's 3-point contest on All-Star Saturday night.

"Us being the No. 1 team in the East, him shooting the ball the way he's been shooting it, we need to try to get as many guys to All-Star as possible," James said after Smith scored a season-high 27 points in Friday's win over Minnesota, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Guys know in the league he's an unbelievable 3-point shooter and he deserves an invite."

While Smith has often garnered attention for his questionable on-court antics, there's no denying his place among the best shooters of his generation. Since Smith entered the NBA in 2004, only Kyle Korver, Ray Allen, and Joe Johnson have connected on more trifectas.

Although those three players have made a combined 11 3-point contest appearances, Smith has yet to receive an invite to the annual competition.

For his part, Smith said he would "absolutely" like to participate in this year's event in Toronto.

"In my younger days, I wanted to be one of the first people to win the dunk contest and the 3-point contest, but the dunk contest ain't looking too good for me no more," he added.