A Statistical Breakdown of the Leading 3-Point Shooters in NBA History

When I first started analyzing NBA statistics over a decade ago, I never imagined how dramatically the three-point shot would reshape basketball. Looking at the all-time leaders now, it's fascinating to see how this weapon has evolved from novelty to necessity. The phrase "Bakit natin pinapaabot du'n pa?" - which roughly translates to "Why do we extend it there?" - perfectly captures the initial skepticism many coaches had about prioritizing long-range shooting. I remember watching early three-point specialists like Dale Ellis and thinking they were almost cheating the system, taking what traditionalists considered "unwise" shots.

Stephen Curry's numbers still boggle my mind even after all these years studying basketball analytics. With 3,390 career three-pointers and counting, he's not just leading the pack - he's redefining what's possible from beyond the arc. What many casual fans don't realize is that Curry's impact goes far beyond mere volume. His effective field goal percentage on threes consistently hovers around 58-62%, which is statistically more efficient than most players' two-point attempts. Ray Allen, sitting at second all-time with 2,973 makes, represented the previous generation's gold standard. I had the privilege of watching Allen's textbook form up close during his Heat years, and his mechanical consistency remains unmatched in my opinion.

The third spot belongs to James Harden with 2,754 threes, though his playing style couldn't be more different from Allen's. Where Allen relied on crisp off-ball movement and catch-and-shoot opportunities, Harden revolutionized the step-back three as a primary weapon. I've had countless debates with fellow analysts about which approach contributes more to winning basketball. Personally, I lean toward valuing the movement shooters like Reggie Miller (2,560 threes) and Kyle Korver, who forced defenses to collapse and rotate constantly. The data shows that teams with high "gravity" shooters - those who draw defensive attention regardless of whether they have the ball - consistently generate higher quality shots overall.

What's particularly interesting is examining the efficiency metrics beyond raw totals. While Curry's volume is historic, his 42.8% career three-point percentage is actually surpassed by several specialists. Steve Kerr, though not near the top in total makes, connected at an absurd 45.4% for his career. Seth Curry currently maintains a 43.9% mark, proving that the family shooting基因 is very real. I've tracked shooting data across different eras, and the improvement in percentage despite increased difficulty and defensive attention is remarkable. Today's shooters are making 36-38% on heavily contested attempts that previous generations wouldn't even dream of taking.

The evolution of the corner three deserves special mention in this discussion. Early in my career, I noticed how coaches treated corner threes as almost separate from above-the-break attempts. The numbers validate this distinction - the corner three remains the most efficient shot in basketball outside of layups and dunks, largely because it's about 1.5 feet closer than the top-of-the-key three. Players like Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker built entire careers on corner proficiency, though their overall totals don't crack the all-time lists. This brings us back to that original question - "Why do we extend it there?" Well, the data clearly shows we should be extending it everywhere beyond the arc now.

Looking forward, I'm convinced we haven't seen the ceiling for three-point shooting yet. The next generation coming through AAU and college systems are being taught to shoot from deeper ranges with quicker releases. Luka Dončić and Trae Young are already testing the limits of acceptable shooting range in ways that would have been unthinkable even five years ago. The statistical projections I've run suggest we could see someone challenge Curry's record within the next 15 years, though it will require unprecedented longevity and health. Personally, I'm most excited to see how shooting continues to evolve - perhaps we'll eventually look back at today's three-point revolution as just the beginning.