A great NBA player needs to have a few key characteristics. A player needs to be able to dribble the ball gracefully and with ease. He needs to know how to use his body to protect the ball from defenders. He also needs to be able to move around obstacles on the floor with ease.
And lastly, he has to be a great shooter. Even the defensive players have to have the ability to score field goals for the team. A great player has to be able to shoot from various positions, but especially from outside of the three-point line.
Three-Point Field Goals
Three-point attempts are both exciting and nerve-wracking to watch. We follow how the ball comes up in the air, and the way to the hoops seems to be endless. But with some of the players, we just know that the shot will be successful. Let’s take a look at the player who made the most three-point shots in NBA History.
Best Three-Point Shooters in NBA History
Stephen Curry
When it comes to active players, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, is the best shooter of all time. There is a lot to say about this player, as he changed the way the game is played and proved that you don’t have to be a big man to be the best. His shooting skills are incredible which reflects in his average three-point percentage of 433. As of December 14, 2021, Stephen Curry surpassed Ray Allen in the number of three-pointers made.
Ray Allen
All time-leader and the best three-pointer, with a career average of .400 percentage and 2973 total is Ray Allen. With his career starting in 1996 and ending in 2014, he played through 18 seasons and earned his spot in the Hall of Fame.
Ray Allen played with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Boston Celtics, and the Miami Heat. During the years he played with these teams, he evolved his game and became a three-point threat. He was the first player in the modern NBA to achieve such results while shooting from outside the three-point line, taking Larry Bird’s and Reggie Miller’s gameplay to another level.
Reggie Miller
The third place goes to Reggie Miller from Indiana Pacers, also an Olympic Gold Medalist.
For a long time, Reggie Miller occupied first place in the list with his 2560 three-point shots and 395 three-point percentage. His style of play inspired modern players, as the three-point shooting wasn’t so prominent at the time he played.
Kyle Korver
Just outside the podium, there is Kyle Korver. There are rumors about his retirement since he’s been playing in the NBA since 2003.
During these years he sustained many injuries that didn’t make him any less of a player. His total is 2450 with a crazy average of 429 three-point percentage.
Kyle Korver played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Utah Jazz, the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
James Harden
James Harden is a solid shooting guard, who excels both at three-point shooting and intensive ISO plays. MVP of 2018, James started the 2021 season with 2445 successful three-point attempts and 363 three-point percentages. His efficiency isn’t as great as others, but he manages to provide the score for the team.
Harden played with Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets.
Vince Carter
Former NBA Player, Vince Carter ended his career with an astonishing number of 2290 three-pointers. Interestingly, his three-point percentage is .371. He acquired such a number because of how many years he played.
The thing that distinguished Carter the most was that he performed a lot of slam dunks that gave him the nickname “Vinsanity”.
Carter was part of the Toronto Raptors, the New Jersey Nets, the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Sacramento Kings, and the Atlanta Hawks.
Jason Terry
Jason Terry, nicknamed “The Jet” is a former award-winning NBA player. His three-point percentage is 380 with 2282 three-point shots successfully made in his career.
Terry played for the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Now, The Jet is a coach for NBA G League Grand Rapid Golds and his techniques to the young generation.
Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford is a former player with an array of records on his belt. He is the oldest player to score 50+ points in one game and has the record for four-point plays.
He is one of the greatest shooters of all time, with 2,221 three-pointers and a 380 three-point percentage.
Jamal was part of the Chicago Bulls, the New York Knicks, the Golden State Warriors, the Atlanta Hawks, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Phoenix Suns, and the Brooklyn Nets.
Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce, 2008 MVP, mainly remembered by his glory days as a captain of the Boston Celtics, is in ninth place, with 2143 successful three-point attempts and .368 three-point percentage.
Except for the Celtics, Pierce was in Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard of Portland Trail Blazers is closing our top ten with 2051 three-pointers and 368 three-point percentages.
He was selected for the All-Star six times and received Rookie Award in 2012. As for the 2021 season, Damian starts with 2051 three-point shots and a 375 three-point percentage. The best thing about Lillard is that he always comes through in the clutch,
Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd, old-school legend, now a head coach for Dallas Mavericks, is placing in at the top in many statistics.
When it comes to the best three-point shooters in NBA history, he is 11th with 1988 shots and 349 percentage. He developed his skill throughout his career, as he started with .272 three-point percentage and managed to increase it to .461 in the 2007-8 season.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki is often called the greatest of European players. He joined the NBA in 1998 as a draft pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, being traded for Robert Traylor.
Dirk stayed with Mavericks ever since and he earned them 1979 three-pointers with the 380 three-point percentage. After his long run as a player, Dirk is still with the Dallas Mavericks as a special advisor.
LeBron James
Four-time MVP LeBron James is often said to be the greatest player ever (some might say he is better than Michael Jordan!).
LeBron playing as a small forward or power forward accumulated a huge number of 1979 three-pointers and has a 345 three-point percentage.
Joe Johnson
In his career, Joe Johnson scored over 20,000 career points with 1978 three-pointers averaging 371. Joe is still an active player but his NBA run is over and he is playing for the Big 3. He is the best at isolation plays since his nickname is “Iso Joe”.
JJ Redick
JJ Redick is a former player, now a comedian and a podcaster. During the time he was active he scored 1950 three-pointers with a 415 point percentage.
Honorable Mentions
Few names don’t make the top 15 but are impossible not to mention while discussing best shooters.
Kobe Bryant
First would be a famous Laker, who sadly passed away, Kobe Bryant. Kobe was a great athlete and a role model for many. His three-point percentage was 330 with 1827 successful attempts made.
Steve Nash
Two-time MVP, Steve Nash had a 428 three-point percentage with 1685, despite playing as a point guard and being responsible for passing, not for shooting.
Kevin Durant
Active player, Kevin Durant (now in Brooklyn Nets), known for his cold-blooded style of game and excellent shooting skills, has a 384 three-point percentage with 1665 successful three-point shots.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors are the cradle for the best three-point shooters in NBA history. Obviously, they have the best active player, Stephen Curry, but under their wings players like Jamal Crawford, Kevin Durant and Jason Richardson, were in their prime. Except for Stephen Curry, the active squad also has Klay Thompson averaging 419 with a 1798 percentage.
Few Last Words
Starting with legendary Ray Allen and finishing with the incredible Stephen Curry. These players have already made NBA History. Every season of the NBA, some player surprises us with almost superhuman abilities. Remember that records are made to be broken. Which one is next?
