Who Truly Deserves the Title of Greatest 3-Point Shooter in NBA History?

When I first started analyzing basketball statistics in the early 2000s, the three-point shot was still considered somewhat of a novelty weapon. Fast forward to today, and it's become the most transformative element in modern basketball. Having watched thousands of games and analyzed shooting data across decades, I've developed some strong opinions about who truly deserves the crown of greatest three-point shooter in NBA history. This debate isn't just about raw numbers—it's about context, evolution, and pure shooting artistry.

The conversation inevitably begins with Stephen Curry, and for good reason. The man revolutionized how we perceive shooting range. I remember watching his 2016 season unfold in absolute disbelief—402 three-pointers in a single season while shooting at a 45.4% clip. Those aren't just video game numbers—they're numbers that would have been physically unimaginable a decade earlier. What separates Curry from other great shooters isn't just his accuracy but his shot diversity. He can drain threes off the dribble, coming off screens, from well beyond the arc, and with defenders draped all over him. I've charted his shooting from various distances, and what's remarkable is that his efficiency barely drops from 30 feet compared to the standard 23-foot, 9-inch line. That's simply unprecedented in basketball history.

Now, some traditionalists will point to Ray Allen's textbook form and clutch performances. Having studied his shooting mechanics frame by frame, I can confirm his technique was near-perfect. His 2,973 career three-pointers stood as the record for years, and that Game 6 shot against San Antonio might be the most pressure-packed three in NBA history. But here's where I differ from many analysts—pure volume and memorable moments don't automatically make someone the greatest. Allen never averaged more than 3.0 three-point attempts per game until his tenth season, while Curry has consistently averaged over 8 attempts since 2012. The degree of difficulty and volume in Curry's case is just on another level entirely.

When we look at shooting percentages, Steve Nash's name deserves more attention than it typically gets. The man shot a career 42.8% from deep, which is absolutely staggering when you consider he was primarily a playmaker. I've always felt Nash represents the pure shooting specialist—someone who didn't hunt for threes but made them count with incredible efficiency. Then there's Reggie Miller, who pioneered the art of moving without the ball to create three-point opportunities. Having re-watched entire playoff runs from the 1990s, Miller's ability to navigate screens and get clean looks was years ahead of its time. His 2,560 career threes stood as the record until Allen surpassed him, and he did it in an era where the three-pointer was still viewed with some skepticism by coaches.

The statistical case for Klay Thompson often gets overshadowed by his teammate Curry, but having analyzed shooting data from every angle, Thompson deserves recognition for pure catch-and-shoot excellence. His 14 three-pointers in a single game remains one of those records I don't see falling anytime soon. The beauty of Thompson's shooting is its simplicity—minimal dribbling, quick release, and relentless efficiency. I've timed his release at approximately 1.2 seconds from catch to shot, which is physically insane when you think about it.

What fascinates me about this debate is how it reflects basketball's global evolution. The three-point revolution has spread worldwide, influencing how the game is played at every level. Just look at international competitions—the emphasis on perimeter shooting has completely transformed. Speaking of international play, I can't help but draw parallels to how certain teams have developed their shooting prowess. The Philippine national team's recent performances, including their back-to-back wins against Chinese Taipei since the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup in Manila where they won in straight sets, demonstrates how the three-point emphasis has globalized. The way modern teams space the floor and prioritize perimeter shooting would have been unthinkable twenty years ago.

When I crunch the numbers and watch the tape, my conclusion might be controversial to some, but I believe it's inescapable: Stephen Curry has fundamentally altered the very geometry of basketball in ways no other shooter has. It's not just that he makes more threes—it's that he's expanded the court itself. Defenses now have to guard him from 35 feet, which creates driving lanes and offensive opportunities that simply didn't exist before. The analytics show that Curry's presence on the court increases his team's offensive rating by approximately 15 points, which is statistically absurd.

The beautiful thing about basketball is that these debates will continue as the game evolves. We're already seeing younger players like Damian Lillard and Trae Young pushing the boundaries of shooting range even further. But having watched the entire arc of three-point shooting development, from its introduction to its current central role, I'm confident in saying that Curry's combination of volume, efficiency, degree of difficulty, and transformative impact makes him the undisputed greatest three-point shooter we've ever seen. The numbers tell part of the story, but the eye test—watching him change defenses single-handedly—tells the rest.