Who Are the Top 5 Leading 3-Point Shooters in NBA History?

I remember watching my first NBA game as a kid and being absolutely mesmerized by the arc of the ball as it sailed toward the basket from what seemed like impossible distances. There's something magical about the three-point shot that captures our imagination - that moment of collective breath-holding as the ball hangs in the air before either swishing through the net or clanging off the rim. Over the years, I've developed a particular fascination with the greatest long-range specialists in basketball history, and I've come to appreciate that being an elite three-point shooter requires more than just technical skill - it demands a certain fearless mentality that reminds me of that Filipino phrase I once heard, "Bakit natin pinapaabot du'n pa?" which roughly translates to "Why do we make it reach that far?" These shooters don't ask why - they just let it fly.

When we talk about the absolute masters of the three-pointer, Stephen Curry inevitably comes to mind first. I've lost count of how many times I've watched games where he single-handedly shifted the momentum with his incredible range. What makes Curry special isn't just his accuracy - though his career 42.8% from deep is remarkable - but his willingness to shoot from anywhere on the court. I recall one game against Oklahoma City where he hit a game-winner from 38 feet out in overtime, and everyone in the arena knew it was going in the moment it left his hands. He's revolutionized how teams think about spacing and has fundamentally changed the game itself. With over 3,000 career three-pointers and counting, he's not just the greatest shooter of all time - he's arguably the most influential.

Ray Allen deserves his flowers too, and I have particularly vivid memories of his iconic corner three in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. The composure he showed in that moment, with the championship on the line and everything to lose, still gives me chills. What many people don't realize is that Allen was an incredible athlete before becoming primarily known as a shooter - he won the dunk contest in college, which speaks to his overall basketball prowess. His career total of 2,973 three-pointers stood as the record for years, and his picture-perfect form remains the gold standard that coaches teach to this day. I've always admired how he maintained his shooting efficiency throughout his career, finishing at 40% from beyond the arc over 18 seasons.

Reggie Miller was before my time as a live viewer, but going back and watching his classic performances against the Knicks gives me goosebumps. His 8 points in 9 seconds against New York in 1995 might be the most clutch shooting performance in playoff history. What stands out about Miller was his incredible movement without the ball - he was constantly running through screens, changing directions, and finding ways to get open. He played in an era where the three-pointer wasn't as emphasized as it is today, yet he still managed to sink 2,560 of them at a 39.5% clip. There's a certain swagger to Miller's game that I find particularly compelling - the trash-talking, the clutch performances, the way he seemed to thrive in hostile environments.

Kyle Korver might not have the same name recognition as the others, but as someone who appreciates the pure art of shooting, I consider him one of the most technically perfect shooters I've ever seen. His 2014-15 season with Atlanta was a masterpiece - he shot an unbelievable 49.2% from three-point range while attempting over 5 per game. That level of efficiency is almost incomprehensible. What I love about Korver's game is how he maximized his limited athleticism through impeccable footwork and lightning-quick release. He might not have created his own shot like Curry or been as clutch as Miller, but as a pure catch-and-shoot specialist, he was virtually unparalleled.

James Harden rounds out my personal top five, though I'll admit his style isn't for everyone. His step-back three has become one of the most unstoppable moves in modern basketball, even if it sometimes feels like he's bending the rules. What impresses me about Harden isn't just his volume - he's led the league in three-point attempts multiple seasons - but his ability to create space and get his shot off against any defender. His 2018-19 season was particularly historic, as he became the first player to both make and attempt over 300 three-pointers in a single season while also leading the league in scoring. Love him or hate him, you can't deny his impact on how the game is played today. Watching these artists work from long range always brings me back to that idea of pushing boundaries - why shoot from that far? Because they can, and because sometimes, the most rewarding shots are the ones that seem impossible.