The Top 10 Leading 3-Point Shooters in NBA History and Their Records

I still remember watching Ray Allen's iconic corner three in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals - that shot literally saved Miami's championship hopes and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest shooters ever. Having followed the NBA for over two decades, I've witnessed how the three-point revolution transformed basketball from a paint-dominated game to what we see today. The evolution of long-range shooting isn't just about statistics - it's about how these shooters changed defensive schemes and offensive philosophies across the league.

When we talk about the greatest three-point shooters, Stephen Curry inevitably comes to mind first. The man revolutionized shooting with his unlimited range and quick release. I've never seen anyone who can pull up from 30 feet like it's a layup. His record 402 threes in the 2015-16 season might never be broken - that's 140 more than the previous record! What many casual fans don't realize is how Curry's shooting forced defenses to extend beyond the three-point line, creating driving lanes and changing how teams defend pick-and-rolls entirely. Ray Allen, who held the career record before Curry, represented a different era of shooting - more methodical, coming off screens with perfect form. His 2,973 career threes stood as the benchmark for years, and his clutch gene in big moments was unparalleled.

The third spot in my personal ranking goes to Reggie Miller, whose trash-talking and clutch shooting defined an era. I'll never forget his 8 points in 9 seconds against the Knicks - the man had ice in his veins. Then we have modern specialists like Klay Thompson, who owns the record for most threes in a game with 14. I was watching that game against Chicago, and it felt like every shot was going in regardless of defense. James Harden deserves mention too, though his step-back threes sometimes draw controversy. His 2018-19 season where he made 378 threes while taking nearly 1,200 attempts shows the volume shooting mentality of today's game.

What fascinates me about these shooters isn't just their percentages but their impact on winning. Kyle Korver, who once shot 53.6% from deep for an entire season, might be the purest shooter I've ever seen, though he never got the spotlight like Curry. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard's "Logo Lillard" range has become his trademark - I've lost count of how many game-winners he's hit from beyond 30 feet. The evolution continues with younger players like Trae Young already climbing the all-time lists, proving that the three-point revolution is here to stay. As the game continues to evolve, I suspect we'll see even more specialized shooters entering this conversation, though Curry's combination of volume, efficiency, and difficulty of shots might keep him at the top for generations.