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5 Best Three-Point Shooters of All-Time

Matt McEwan

by Matt McEwan in NBA Basketball

Updated Mar 26, 2020 · 9:56 PM PDT

Steph Curry shooting from behind the arc.
Through just 8 seasons in the NBA, Steph Curry already ranks 7th all-time in 3-point field goals. Photo by Keith Allison Flickr) [CC License]

Ahead of the 1979-80 season, the NBA finally gave into the three-point shot that had been made popular by the American Basketball Association. But just like the league itself, NBA teams were rather slow to adapt to the change. During that season, there were just 2.77 shots per game from behind the arc.

Even 15 years ago, there were less than 15 three-pointers being attempted per game. The Oklahoma City Thunder led the league in three-point attempts that season with just 23.6 per game. However, the NBA has experienced a dramatic change over the last few years, as more teams are becoming aware of efficiency numbers and encouraging players to go for the extra point. The result has been an average of 28.8 three-point attempts per game this season.

The three-point shot is changing the game, and players who can hit it consistently are being valued like a piece of gum after a Shawarma feast.

The three-point shot is changing the game, and players who can hit it consistently are being valued like a piece of gum after a Shawarma feast. Here are the five best players ever at knocking it down from at least 23 feet and nine inches from the basket.

1) Steph Curry

  • 7th all-time in three-point field goals (currently 2,095)
  • 4th all-time in three-point shooting percentage (currently .436)
  • Led the NBA 5x in three-pointers made in a season (most times leading the league)
  • Owns the 3 highest single-season totals for three-point field goals (4 of the top 5, too)
  • Holds record for most three-pointers made in a game (13)
  • Holds the record for most consecutive games with a three-point field goal (157)
  • Holds record for most points in a round of the Three-Point Contest (27 of possible 34)

There are zero arguments I will accept against Steph Curry being the greatest three-point shooter of all-time. For those who believe Curry has not done it long enough, I would have crowned him the best all-time two years ago. To combat the argument that he’s going to make a lot of three-pointers because he takes so many: look at his shooting percentage from downtown (it’s .436, which is fourth all-time). His worst percentage in a season from behind the arc is .411! Let me know if you have any others for me to debunk.

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Curry’s lightning-quick release, incredible range, and fearless mentality allows him to get shots up from anywhere on the court, often with at least one defender right in his grill.

2) Kyle Korver

  • 4th all-time in three-point field goals (currently 2,176)
  • 7th all-time in three-point shooting percentage (.431)
  • Led the NBA 1x in three-point makes
  • Led the NBA 4x in three-point percentage (most seasons leading the league)
  • Greatest ever three-point percentage in a season (.536)

Here is where I’m expecting a little controversy. While many would slot Ray Allen in here (spoiler alert: he falls to #3), I’m sticking with Kyle Korver. There’s one reason the Creighton product was drafted into the NBA, has carved out a nice professional career, and is still playing at 36 years old: he knocks down three-pointers with ease.

[Korver’s] 43.1 career percentage from three-point range (7th all-time) is the main reason he finds himself ahead of Ray Allen on this list.

The Justin Bieber look-alike has used picture-perfect shooting form throughout his entire career, allowing him to remain so consistent from behind the arc. His 43.1 career percentage from three-point range (7th all-time) is the main reason he finds himself ahead of Allen on this list.

3) Ray Allen

  • Most three-pointers made all-time (2,973)
  • Tied for 40th all-time in three-point shooting percentage (.400)
  • Led NBA 3x in three-pointers made
  • 1x Three-Point Contest winner

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Five years ago, Ray Allen would have seen his name atop this list. But the NBA’s new focus on three-point shooting has birthed these specialists from behind the arc, who are only concerned with camping outside the line. Is Allen a better basketball player than Korver? Without a doubt. But Allen’s ability to hurt a defense in many different ways (during his prime) is part of what held him back as a three-point specialist. His career .400 average from downtown is just too damning to overlook when compared to Curry and Korver.

4) Klay Thompson

  • 28th all-time in three-point field goals (currently 1,512)
  • 11th all-time in three-point shooting percentage (currently .423)
  • Holds record for most three-point field goals in 1 quarter (9)
  • 2nd-most three-point field goals made in 1 half (9)
  • 4th-most three-point field goals made in one season (276)
  • 1x Three-Point Contest winner

Living in the shadow of Curry could be awfully difficult to deal with. But Curry’s “Splash Brother”, Klay Thompson, seems to relish in the Robin role for the Golden State Warriors. Though he has never led the league in three-point field goals, his 276 threes in 2015-16 and 268 from 2016-17 both rank in the top seven all-time for three-point field goals in a single season.

When Thompson gets hot, you better ensure he doesn’t touch the ball. Not only does Klay hold the record for most threes made in a single quarter (nine), but he actually made all nine without a miss.

5) Steve Kerr

  • Highest career three-point percentage (.454)
  • Led league 2x in three-point percentage (tied for 2nd-most times leading the league)
  • Shot better than .500 from three-point range in a season 4x
  • 1x Three-Point Contest winner

I’ll certainly understand the arguments for Reggie Miller (2nd-most career three-point field goals) to take the final spot on this list. But how can you leave out the man who has the all-time best career three-point percentage?

Steve Kerr may not have shot from deep often (1.8 three-point attempts per game), but when he did, he was deadly.

Honorable Mention

  • Peja Stojakovic
  • Reggie Miller
  • JJ Redick
  • Jason Kapono

2018 Three-Point Contest Odds

Thompson will have a chance to add to his legacy during All-Star Weekend when he competes in the JBL Three-Point Contest for the fourth straight year.

Player Odds to win 3-Point Contest
Klay Thompson (GSW) +200
Eric Gordon (HOU) +400
Devin Booker (PHX) +550
Paul George (OKC) +600
Wayne Ellington (MIA) +700
Bradley Beal (WAS) +800
Kyle Lowry (TOR) +850
Tobias Harris (LAC) +1000

 

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