A Look at the Leading 3 Point Shooters in NBA History and Their Records

As I sit here watching another incredible Steph Curry performance, I can't help but reflect on how dramatically the three-point shot has transformed basketball. I remember back in my early days covering the NBA when teams would attempt maybe ten threes per game - now we see some squads launching forty or fifty. This evolution brings to mind that Filipino phrase from my coaching days overseas: "Bakit natin pinapaabot du'n pa?" which roughly translates to "Why do we make it reach that far?" In basketball terms, this perfectly captures the revolutionary mindset that changed everything - why settle for tough twos when you can extend defenses and create higher-value opportunities from beyond the arc?

When we talk about the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history, the conversation absolutely must begin with Stephen Curry. I've had the privilege of watching his entire career unfold, and I can confidently say we've never seen anything like him. The numbers speak for themselves - he holds the all-time record with over 3,500 career three-pointers and counting, but what's more impressive is how he's done it. His release is lightning quick, taking approximately 0.3 seconds from catch to release, and he shoots with remarkable accuracy from distances that would make other players hesitate. I recall analyzing game footage from his unanimous MVP season where he made 402 threes - a number that seemed almost fictional at the time. His impact extends beyond statistics though; he's fundamentally forced defenses to redesign their entire schemes, stretching coverage to previously unimaginable distances.

Ray Allen deserves his flowers as the prototype for the modern shooting guard. Having studied his mechanics extensively, I can attest that his textbook-perfect form should be required viewing for any aspiring shooter. His career total of 2,973 three-pointers stood as the record for years, but what often gets overlooked is his clutch gene. I'll never forget being in the building for his iconic corner three in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals - the composure required to sink that shot with everything on the line still gives me chills. Reggie Miller brought a different kind of magic to the three-point line during an era when the shot wasn't as emphasized. His 2,560 career threes were accumulated against more physical defenses that weren't afraid to make shooters pay the price. What made Reggie special wasn't just his shooting but his incredible off-ball movement - he probably ran more miles per game than some distance runners.

The analytics revolution has completely changed how teams value the three-pointer, and honestly, I'm fascinated by this development. Teams now recognize that a 33% success rate from deep equals a 50% success rate from two-point range in terms of points per possession. This mathematical reality has spawned entire new offensive systems built around creating open threes. When I consult with teams today, we spend significant time discussing how to generate high-quality looks from beyond the arc while limiting opponents' opportunities. The evolution continues with players like Damian Lillard and Trae Young pushing the boundaries of acceptable shooting range, forcing defenses to cover ground from 30 feet and beyond. This constant innovation makes the game more exciting, though I sometimes worry we're losing some of the mid-range artistry that made basketball so beautiful in previous eras.

Looking ahead, I'm convinced we haven't seen the ceiling for three-point shooting in the NBA. The next generation coming through the ranks treats the three-pointer not as a specialty but as a fundamental part of their offensive arsenal. The record books will continue to be rewritten, and the strategic landscape will keep evolving. While some traditionalists bemoan the three-point revolution, I embrace it as the natural progression of the sport. That Filipino phrase continues to resonate - why indeed should we limit our ambitions to conventional distances when stretching boundaries creates such beautiful basketball? The great shooters understood this truth before anyone else, and their legacy isn't just in the records they set but in how they permanently expanded our conception of what's possible on a basketball court.