allterrainjohnny

If only the LA Clippers’ Blake Griffin were participating in Illinois Lottery’s MVP Cash Spectacular when he launched this beauty — from deeper than half court AND on his butt — at an NBA training camp last week:

Seriously?

It’s challenge enough to sink a half-courter from your feet after weeks of meticulous and measured practice. Just ask Brian Payne (below, left) from Normal, IL. This past weekend, alongside his honorary coach for the evening - former Chicago Bull and Illini great, Kendall Gill - Payne received the biggest shot of his lifetime.

On Saturday, All Terrain and Illinois Lottery, teamed up for the highly-anticipated MVP Cash Spectacular Finale at the United Center. The contest began months ago with more than 250,000 eager entrants. In the end, only six fortunate finalists found themselves facing down a half-court shot for :: read with ominous echo :: ONE. MILLION. DOLLARS.

After emerging victorious from their respective regional events, we invited our six finalists, from around the state, to spend their big weekend in Chicago.

On Friday, the group was on hand for the Blackhawks 4-1 victory over Anaheim. Earlier in the day, they participated in the contest’s dreaded “draw event” to determine which of the six would win the chance to shoot for the money.

On Saturday, during halftime of the UNLV vs. University of Illinois game, Brian Payne took center court, took in the cheers from an enthusiastic United Center crowd, took some deep breaths and took one shot…

Sadly, Payne’s million dollar shot didn’t find its mark, though he didn’t miss by much. None of the six regional finalists left empty-handed; Illinois Lottery awarded each participant a $5,000 personal check and a $5,000 check to the public school district in their home zip code. It’s not a million, but it’s still pretty great!

Moral of the story: If you ever find yourself shooting a half-court shot for a million bucks, call Blake Griffin for pointers.