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

As I was watching a recent NBA game, I heard a commentator ask something that stuck with me: "Why do we extend the conversation there?" It made me reflect on how we measure greatness in basketball, particularly when it comes to three-point shooting. Throughout my years covering the sport, I've witnessed the evolution of this skill from a novelty to a fundamental weapon that defines modern basketball. Today, I want to share my perspective on the three most exceptional three-point shooters in NBA history—players who didn't just shoot well but fundamentally changed how the game is played.

When discussing three-point royalty, we must begin with Stephen Curry. I've had the privilege of watching his entire career unfold, and I can confidently say he revolutionized shooting in ways we'd never seen before. Curry didn't just break records—he shattered our understanding of what's possible from beyond the arc. His career three-point percentage hovers around 42.8%, but numbers alone don't capture his impact. What makes Curry special in my view is how he transformed the three-pointer from a set shot to a movement weapon. I remember attending a Warriors game where he hit five consecutive threes in under two minutes—each from increasingly absurd distances. Defenders know what's coming, yet they're powerless to stop it. His 402 threes in the 2015-16 season remains one of those records I don't see anyone touching for decades. The way he creates space with his dribble and releases in hundredths of second is simply unnatural.

Ray Allen deserves his place in this conversation not just for his textbook-perfect form—which I've studied frame by frame—but for his incredible longevity and clutch performances. Having analyzed countless shooting motions, I can tell you Allen's mechanics were the gold standard. He maintained a consistent 40% career three-point percentage across eighteen seasons, which is physically demanding in ways most fans don't appreciate. But what truly cements his legacy for me are those moments when everything was on the line. Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals—I still get chills thinking about it. With 5.2 seconds left and Miami's season hanging by a thread, Allen retreated to the corner, received the pass, and launched that perfect shot that saved the Heat's championship hopes. That's the thing about great shooters—they don't just make shots; they make shots when the entire world is watching and the stakes couldn't be higher.

The third spot might surprise some, but I'm going with Reggie Miller. Now, I know statistically someone like Klay Thompson might have stronger numbers, but Miller's impact transcended statistics. Watching him play against my hometown team throughout the 90s was equal parts frustrating and awe-inspiring. Miller possessed what I call "calculated audacity"—he'd take shots that would get most players benched, yet they kept going in. His eight points in nine seconds against the Knicks in 1995 wasn't just a great moment; it was a masterclass in psychological warfare combined with shooting excellence. Miller finished with 2,560 career threes at a 39.5% clip, but what those numbers don't show is how he stretched defenses to their breaking point. He was running marathon distances off screens before analytics made it fashionable. Modern shooters owe Miller a debt for proving that constant movement and fearless shooting could carry an offense.

Looking at today's game, the three-point revolution these players helped spark continues to evolve. The question "Why do we extend the conversation there?" applies perfectly to how we evaluate shooters now—we're not just counting makes, but considering degree of difficulty, impact on defensive schemes, and clutch performance. From my perspective, Curry's audacious range, Allen's mechanical perfection under pressure, and Miller's revolutionary off-ball movement represent three distinct pathways to shooting greatness. They've set the standard that current players aspire to, and honestly, I don't see anyone surpassing Curry's overall impact anytime soon. The beauty of basketball is that the conversation continues, and I'm excited to see who might join this elite group in the coming years.