Who Are the Leading 3-Point Shooters in NBA History and Their Records?

As a lifelong NBA analyst and someone who's spent countless hours poring over shooting statistics, I've always been fascinated by the evolution of the three-point shot. When I first heard that Filipino phrase "Bakit natin pinapaabot du'n pa?" which roughly translates to "Why do we keep extending it there?" it perfectly captured the ongoing debate about the three-point revolution. The game has fundamentally transformed, and today I want to explore the architects of this change - the true legends of long-range shooting.

Stephen Curry isn't just the greatest shooter in NBA history - he's redefined what we consider a good look from beyond the arc. I remember watching his 402 three-pointers in the 2015-16 season and thinking we might never see anything like it again. His career percentage of 42.8% on such high volume is simply absurd. What many don't realize is that about 38% of his threes come from 28 feet or beyond, which is several feet behind the line. Ray Allen, the previous gold standard, made 2,973 threes in his career with a 40% success rate. His clutch gene was unbelievable - I'll never forget Game 6 of the 2013 Finals when he hit that corner three to save Miami's season. The contrast between Allen's methodical precision and Curry's revolutionary audacity shows how far shooting has evolved.

Then there's Reggie Miller, who played in an era where shooting wasn't the primary offensive strategy. His 2,560 career threes came on just 39.5% shooting, but what made him special was his movement without the ball. I've studied hours of footage of him running through screens, and his endurance was otherworldly. The modern comparison would be Klay Thompson, who holds the record for most threes in a game with 14 against Chicago in 2018. Thompson's quick release is something I've tried to break down frame by frame - it's barely over 0.4 seconds from catch to release. James Harden represents another evolution with his step-back three, which accounted for nearly 46% of his attempts during his MVP season. His 3,578 career threes came with unique shot creation that we hadn't seen before.

What's fascinating about tracking these shooters is how the game keeps stretching further out. When I talk to coaches today, they're teaching kids to shoot from what would have been considered irresponsible distances a decade ago. Damian Lillard's series-winning 37-footer against Oklahoma City in 2019 wasn't a fluke - it was a calculated shot he practices regularly. The league average for three-point attempts has jumped from about 13 per game in 2010 to over 34 today. Personally, I believe we're approaching the physical limits of effective shooting range - beyond 30 feet, the percentage drop-off becomes too significant even for the best shooters. Yet watching Curry and Lillard routinely drain shots from the logo makes me wonder if we'll see the first 50% three-point shooter on high volume within the next five years.

The legacy of these shooters extends beyond records. They've changed how teams build rosters, how coaches design offenses, and how young players develop their games. The three-point line has become basketball's great equalizer, allowing undersized players to thrive and transforming big men into perimeter threats. As we look to the future, I'm convinced the next generation of shooters will continue pushing boundaries, though I suspect the fundamental mechanics of great shooting - footwork, balance, and consistent follow-through - will remain timeless. The records will keep falling, but the artistry of perfect shooting form is what truly captivates basketball purists like myself.