Who Are the Leading 3-Point Shooters in NBA History? Find Out Now

I remember watching Ray Allen's iconic corner three in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals and thinking - this is what basketball immortality looks like. The art of three-point shooting has completely transformed how we perceive scoring excellence in the NBA, and having followed the league for over two decades, I've witnessed this revolution firsthand. When we talk about the greatest long-range specialists in history, the conversation inevitably begins with Stephen Curry, who didn't just break records but fundamentally changed how teams approach offensive strategy. His 2015-16 season where he made 402 threes still feels unreal when you consider nobody had even reached 300 before him.

The evolution of three-point shooting mirrors that fascinating Filipino phrase from my reference material - "Bakit natin pinapaabot du'n pa?" which roughly translates to "Why do we extend it there?" This perfectly captures how coaches initially reacted to players taking shots from what seemed like unreasonable distances. I've always been fascinated by how the three-point line went from being a novelty to becoming the most critical scoring area on the court. Ray Allen, who held the career record before Curry, made 2,973 threes with that picture-perfect form that coaches still use as teaching material. His clutch gene was something special - I'd argue he's the most reliable big-moment shooter I've ever seen.

What many newer fans might not realize is how much the three-point revolution has accelerated recently. When I look at Reggie Miller's 2,560 career threes - a number that seemed untouchable when he retired - it's remarkable how quickly that record has been surpassed. Miller's shooting against the Knicks in the 1990s created some of the most dramatic playoff moments I've witnessed. The way he moved without the ball was artistry, constantly reading defenses and creating inches of space that were all he needed.

My personal favorite to watch has always been Kyle Korver, who might not have the volume numbers of others but possessed the purest shooting form I've ever analyzed. His 2014-15 season with Atlanta, where he shot 49.2% from three, remains one of the most efficient shooting displays in modern basketball. The way he could catch and release in what felt like a single motion was breathtaking. Today, we're seeing players like Damian Lillard and Trae Young pushing the boundaries even further, taking shots from what we'd previously consider irresponsible distances. Lillard's series-winning shot against Oklahoma City from 37 feet still gives me chills when I rewatch it.

The statistical progression tells its own story. In the 1990s, teams averaged around 10 three-point attempts per game - today that number has skyrocketed to over 35. This isn't just about players becoming better shooters; it's about the entire philosophy of the game shifting toward efficiency mathematics that analytics departments have championed. I've spoken with several NBA coaches who admit they now encourage shots that would have gotten players benched a decade ago.

As I reflect on these shooting legends, what strikes me most isn't just their accuracy but their courage to take difficult shots when everything was on the line. The mental toughness required to shoot over a closing defender with seconds remaining separates the great shooters from the truly historic ones. Curry's range revolutionized offensive spacing, Allen's precision under pressure defined clutch performance, and Miller's movement without the ball created the blueprint for modern off-ball specialists. The three-point shot has become basketball's great equalizer, and these artists have turned it into the most exciting aspect of today's game.