The Definitive List of Leading 3 Point Shooters in NBA History

As I sit here watching another incredible Steph Curry performance, I can't help but reflect on how much the three-point shot has transformed basketball. I remember when coaches would bench players for taking too many threes - now it's become the most valuable weapon in the game. The evolution from specialists like Steve Kerr to volume shooters like Curry represents one of the most fascinating developments in sports history. Having studied basketball analytics for over a decade, I've witnessed this revolution firsthand, and today I want to share my definitive ranking of the greatest three-point shooters ever.

When we talk about pure shooting percentage, Steve Kerr's 45.4% career mark stands as the gold standard that nobody has consistently matched. But here's where it gets interesting - Kerr attempted just 1,599 threes in his career while Curry has already launched over 7,000. That volume difference completely changes how we evaluate shooters. I've always believed that the true measure of a shooter isn't just accuracy but their ability to maintain efficiency while carrying their team's offensive load. That's why Curry tops my list with his unprecedented combination of volume (43.3% on 7,000+ attempts) and degree of difficulty. His shots aren't just open catch-and-shoots - he's creating off the dribble, pulling up from 30 feet, and doing it all while being the primary focus of every defense he faces.

Ray Allen's 2,973 career threes stood as the record for years, and watching him work was like observing a master craftsman. His mechanical perfection and clutch performances, particularly that corner three in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals, cement his legacy. But here's my controversial take - Klay Thompson might be the purest shooter I've ever seen. When he gets hot, it's almost supernatural. His 14 threes in a single game and 37-point quarter represent shooting performances that defy logic. Then there's Reggie Miller, who revolutionized how we think about using the three-pointer in crunch time. His 2,560 career threes came in an era when the shot was still somewhat marginalized, yet he made it his signature weapon.

The modern era has given us incredible specialists like Duncan Robinson and Joe Harris, but what separates the all-time greats is their ability to shoot under pressure. I've analyzed hundreds of playoff games, and the data shows that Curry's percentage actually improves in the postseason - that's what makes him truly special. Kyle Korver's 49.2% season in 2014-15 was arguably the most efficient shooting year we've ever seen, though it came primarily on catch-and-shoot opportunities. What fascinates me about today's game is how the three-pointer has become the great equalizer - it allows teams to overcome talent disparities in ways we never imagined possible.

Looking at the current landscape, players like Damian Lillard and Trae Young are pushing the boundaries of range even further. Lillard's series-winning 37-footer against Oklahoma City wasn't just a great moment - it was a statement about how far the game has evolved. As someone who's charted shooting data for years, I'm convinced we haven't seen the limits of human shooting capability yet. The next generation will likely shoot from even deeper with even greater efficiency. The three-pointer has completed its journey from novelty to necessity, and these shooters haven't just mastered a skill - they've permanently altered how basketball is played at every level.