Best 3-Point Shooters in the NBA of all time

Even compared to basketball played just ten years ago, modern basketball is very different. The shots that matter and the tactics teams employ to achieve them are vastly dissimilar.

It is no secret that 3-pointers are becoming more prevalent or that professional teams select players and develop strategies more often than ever based on 3-point ability.

It makes it understandable that it took some time for this shot to gain popularity since the 3-point line wasn’t established until 1979. A winning lineup of days is difficult to assemble without a lineup that can successfully and frequently make 3-pointers, but it has just started to become a far more significant factor.

Of course, the players making these shots are drawing more attention than ever due to the increased difficulty of making a 3-pointer and the larger scores made attainable by 3-pointers.

Whichever metrics you choose, we are certain these top 10 3-point shooters belong on the list. There are several approaches to determine the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, from the highest success % to the most made shots.

But first, let’s speak about these crucial shots and how they affect the game, in case you’re still learning about 3-pointers.

What Is A Three-Point Shot?

A three-pointer is any shot made from inside the 3-point line, adopted in 1979. Making one of these shots demands long-range precision and accuracy and substantially alters the game’s strategy.

Go for a three-pointer if you can’t get near the rim.

Naturally, that calls for a different use of the court’s space, with more players guarding against mid- and long-range and less swarming near the baskets.

WHY ARE 3 POINTS OFF RIGHT NOW?

If you’ve been following basketball for a while, you may have noticed a drastic shift in tactics in recent years. In addition to recruiting and looking for great 3-point shooters, or at least players willing to attempt 3-pointers, coaches encourage players to take longer shots.

Even though these long-range shots have a lower success rate (though success rates are rising significantly), they give players another option in a crowded and occasionally challenging field.

There are more opportunities to make a shot when there are more shooters.

Also, clubs may utilize a broader range of talent and retain more of their finest players on the field for longer when they have more scoring alternatives.

Why did the situation change?

Well, the 2006–2007 Magic most likely played a significant role. The Magic were forced to find new tactics to maintain their team’s viability without a traditional lineup of big players. The result? was a successful campaign where their power forward was replaced with shooters.

Following that campaign, teams adjusted their starting lineup to duplicate the Magic’s success and add more versatility to the group.

That’s actually when the contemporary three-pointer began, although the shots started getting more accurate and impactful just a few years ago.

Where are the other three-pointers coming from? Generally from a mid-range distance. With this shift in strategy, shots in the paint have remained relatively consistent, but if you’re shooting, more and more players are attempting 3-pointers.

The NBA’s Top 3-Point Shooters

There is always room for discussion regarding the greatest of the best. Due to this, we will discuss the accomplishments, talents, and stats that have propelled these players to the top of our list.

3-pointers have increased the drama and scoring potential of the game. Therefore, it’s no surprise that coaches are constantly on the hunt for 3-point shooting prowess or that these players receive considerable attention.

Although there are other excellent 3-point shooters in the NBA, these ten players are unquestionably among the greatest as of 2022.

 

  1. DAMIAN LILLARD

Damian Lillard has made more than 2,000 3-pointers that have been successfully, among the highest totals of any player. He has a success record of roughly 37%, with 2,143 of the 5,752 shots he has attempted being successful. That’s a substantial enough success percentage to earn him a spot on this list for his success rate and the number of shots he’s taken. It’s lower than some of the greats in the 3-point game but still better than most shooters were a few years ago. Damian Lillard averages 20 to 30 points every game, and his finest season (19-20) had a 30-point average for points per game. Even in his worst season, his first in the NBA, he averaged an impressive 19 points per game.  Lillard also owns the record for his team’s highest points scored in a single game with 61 points, making him the third player in Basketball history with 1,500 points and 400 assists in the first eight seasons. Lillard’s outstanding resume includes much more than 3-pointers, with an 89.3% success rate on free throws. His amazing career PPA of 24.0 is exceptional. Lillard is an all-around superstar who excels in a variety of measures. He’s a guy worth watching with ten years of experience, and he’s not showing any symptoms of slowing down right now. This is a player to keep an eye on, and it wouldn’t surprise us if Lillard ended up being one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA right now.

 

  1. STEVE KERR

Steve Kerr, who ranks ninth on our list despite making fewer 3-pointers than some other players, still merits a mention for having the best success percentage. He owns the record for accuracy with 745 made three-pointers and a 45.4% success percentage. Of course, the fact that Kerr only spent seven seasons in the NBA, and those were before the 2006–2007 season when three shots started to become a more frequent game-changer, may be part of the reason he doesn’t have a high record for the number of 3 pointers he attempted or made. Steven Kerr might have been able to turn his remarkable success rate into something genuinely memorable if we had seen him on the court when 3-pointers started to play a bigger role in team tactics.

 

 

  1. JAMAL CRAWFORD

Jamal Crawford had a lengthy 21-year career and was an expert on the basketball floor. You could depend on him to consistently attempt and make at least one three-point shot every game. Even though he may not have had the highest success percentage in the world, he was more precise and reliable than many top players. He may not have been the show’s star, but he was the man you could bank on to make a shot when needed, with an annual per-game 3-pointer success rate between 32 and 50%. With 6,379 attempts throughout his career, Crawford made 2,221 3-pointers. It places him at the top of the NBA rankings for most 3-pointers attempted, where he now stands at #5. Crawford’s PPG average of 14.6 demonstrates his consistency. While not the highest in the NBA, his scores nonetheless made him a valuable and point-scoring player.

 

  1. JOE HARRIS

Watch out for Joe Harris when shooting. Harris, an 8-year NBA veteran who plays guard-forward for the Brooklyn Nets, may not shoot as frequently as some of our other options, but he has a high accuracy rate. With a career-long success rate of 43.9%, he is among the best at making his shots. As opposed to shooting as many shots as possible, Harris appears more focused on taking the shots he feels comfortable attempting. Following a slow start, Harris’s 3-point attempts per game are improving, as he now averages 6.4 attempts per game while making 3.1 3-pointers per game in 2020–21. His most successful season to date, with an average success rate of 47.5%, was that one. Harris had a 77.8% free throw success rate during the same season. Even while that doesn’t place him in the NBA’s top 10, it still demonstrates his versatility and precision as a player. Now all that has to be seen is whether his 22-23 continues his tendency of enhancing his already impressive stats.

 

  1. JASON TERRY

Because of his impressive number of made 3-pointers, Jason Terry is included on this list. Despite his accuracy not placing him in the top 10, he is among the NBA’s top 10 for made 3-pointers. Terry had a 3-point success percentage of 42.7 in his second to last season, which was among the highest. With 6,010 attempts, Terry also ranks among the top 10 in 3-point attempts. Why do his missed 3-point attempts matter?  Simple. The fact that Terry attempted three-pointers demonstrates that he could see an opening and capitalize on it. That’s crucial, not the least that you miss 100% of your shots. From 1999 to 2018, Terry made 2,282 3-pointers for his career. That’s nearly 20 years of playing time, with an average of over 100 made 3-pointers every season. Terry’s record demonstrates that he was a valuable and influential player and one of the best 3-point shooters, with his teams winning by an average of 13.4 points per game.

 

  1. VINCE CARTER

A little more than one successful 3-point attempt per game was the norm for Vince Carter during his 23-year career. That is a large number of games and scored points. Carter was eager to take a lot of shots, including risky ones that might not have worked out but showed his dedication to the game and ability to recognize an opening. His success percentage ranged from 30 to 40% in most seasons. It would be best if you remembered that 3-pointers are challenging to make and score with a guy like Carter. Carter’s percentages are lower than those of a player like Lillard, so why does he make a list? Simple. At #7 with 6,168 attempts, Carter is slightly below LeBron James in most 3-points attempted. He maintains the #6 slot on the NBA’s record of most successful three-pointers with 2,290. That’s a remarkable record, especially given that he began playing in 1998 and that a significant amount of his career occurred before the 2006–2007 game strategy revolution.

 

  1. KYLE KORVER

One such athlete, Kyle Korver, might occasionally go unnoticed, especially when people search for the best three-point shooters. Because of his lesser average of 9.7 points scored per game, he frequently needs to be noticed or ranked lower than he should be. This outstanding player consistently made at least one 3-pointer every game, and because of his high level of dependability, he was among the players who both took and made the most 3-pointers. With a lifetime success rate of 42.9%, Korver earned the tenth slot in the NBA rankings. That is amazing and surpasses the finest season of other athletes on this list. By the number of successful 3-pointers he attempted, Korver ranks #5. That’s MASSIVE, especially because Korver isn’t among the top 10 throwers by attempt volume. In other words, when Korver believed he had a chance to score, he was correct 42.9% of the time. He might not have been the player to take advantage of every opportunity, but he could still recognize a good one and capitalize on it. Korver has earned his place in NBA history through his accuracy and willingness to take a challenging shot and make it work for him. There will likely be some new players or players in the middle of their careers who could surpass Korver at some point in the near future. However, for now, Korver is one of the top players in the 3-point shooting game.

THE NBA’S TOP 4 BEST 3-POINT SHOOTERS

Let’s discuss the true titans of the industry. These are the players whose names keep coming up when talking about the best shooters in the game; their accomplishments genuinely stand on their own and don’t need much explanation.

You want these players on the 3-point line when you can get them there.

This is a high threshold, but we’re looking at a few players that might be able to outperform these legends as they continue. Basketball players constantly strive to reach this level of excellence, but only some will succeed.

Let’s discuss the qualities that made these guys the best 3-point shooters while giving them a little more space.

 

TOP 4: REGGIE MILLER

The inclusion of Reggie Miller on this list should come as no surprise. The “Knick Killer” was renowned for his ability to make challenging 3-pointers under duress and make difficult 3-pointers in general. Reggie Miller stands out from some of the other greats in this regard. Miller had a knack for pulling out all the stops just when it was required most. Few people have ever been better than Reggie Miller, and others will ever be better than Miller for odd shots, shots his team truly needed, and pulling out a win in a trying situation. There’s a good reason why Miller’s squad retired his number 36. For his numerous accomplishments and significant contributions to the game, Miller was honored in 2012 by being introduced into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. With 2,560 successful three-point attempts, Miller now ranks fourth in history for most three-pointers made. Miller has attempted 6,486 three-pointers, which puts him in fourth place overall. Overall, Miller had a 38.8% career success rate. He wasn’t entirely among the best of the best, but he also got fewer chances than other shooters on this list. Why? At least partly because Reggie Miller had a reputation for being a good shooter even when he was still an active player. This indicates that Reggie Miller frequently encountered more excellent coverage and opposition players, making it challenging for him to take the shot. Of course, Miller wouldn’t be known as the “Knicks Killer” if he didn’t have a track record of making challenging shots. Even while his success rate wasn’t as high as some of the other greats on this list, it’s clear that he excelled under pressure.

 

TOP 3: JAMES HARDEN

Being a living legend of the NBA three-point shot while still playing must be very stressful for a man. Fortunately, James Harden has handled that pressure very well because he continues to live up to his reputation. Of course, Harden is accustomed to being under pressure when playing. Harden has been focused on his career since college because he was voted the Pac 10 Player of the Year in 2009. Since day one, he has been expected to succeed in the NBA, especially given that he was picked in the 1st round of the 2009 selection at pick number three. Nonetheless, Harden’s average of 22 points per game and already remarkable rate of made 3-pointers help him live up to his reputation. With 7,176 attempts, Harden has recorded 2,593 3-point field goals. With that, he has a 36.1% success rate. Do you need more convincing? Take another look at the number of tries. This young athlete is willing to take a chance whenever he feels he has a chance, not only when he thinks the odds are favorable. Harden’s inclusion on the 75th anniversary NBA squad in October 2021 was a testament to his extraordinary skills and expertise. Moreover, he has played on the US national team twice, capturing gold medals at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the 2012 Olympic Games. Harden, a shooting guard, and point guard, were ranked as the fifth-best shooter of the 2010s. He also shines at the free throw line, earning high rankings there. Harden should be one of your top choices if your team needs a score-booster. Harden is just as aggressive in free throws as he is on 3-pointers, even though he still lags below Lillard and other top free-throw success greats. With a total of 7,044 in his career, he presently holds the ninth-most free throws made in the NBA. Of course, Harden is still playing at the height of his career, just like Lillard. Keep an eye on this player to see where he’s headed.

 

TOP 2: RAY ALLEN

Ray Allen’s inclusion on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. Ray Allen is well-known to everyone who knows basketball. Ray Allen is significant because he was a player introduced into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2018. He was a member of the NBA championship-winning team in 2008. He has averaged 18.9 points per game won for his side in his career. Although not the highest there might be, that is high. What made Ray Allen such a ground-breaking and well-remembered athlete, then? There are many different things. He was a pioneer among outstanding 3-point shooters to start with. Although he didn’t have a title in his early career, he had a strong reputation based on his skills. He even took his reputation on the road and performed in a few acting parts. As he was the best 3-point shooter until our top choice passed him in 2021, Ray Allen has gained a lot of notoriety. If you still need to learn, you’ll know who that is when we discuss him in our next section. In this area of basketball, the fact that he was one of the early greats still holds a lot of weight. Becoming a 3-point shooter is challenging, and achieving success requires a particular attitude and commitment. Ray Allen is another player who could make things happen no matter where he was on the court or what he needed to do, with an 89.9% success rate on free throws. This adaptability is crucial for developing a reputation. Hence, his percentages demonstrate his proficiency despite having a little lower point average. Also, you must remember that basketball is a higher-scoring game in the modern NBA, contributing to players’ high point averages. Even just a few years ago, you didn’t need to score as many points to give your team a game-winning advantage, which is one of the reasons Ray Allen is unquestionably one of the best 3-point shooters in history. Nearly his entire career, he was performing at his absolute best. We won’t punish him for the fact that game point averages have risen since 2014 because it’s not his fault. After giving you much background information, let’s look at the statistics. Why was Ray Allen the second-best three-point shooter of all time? He held the record for the most successful 3-point attempts until 2021 after making 2,973 of them by the time he retired in 2014. Why else is he the NBA’s second-best 3-point shooter? Because his 7,429 shots attempted rank first. You need a player who is effective under pressure. Ray Allen was essential. That’s all there is to it.

 

NBA’S Best 3-POINT SHOOTER: Stephen Curry

In 2009, Steven Curry made a significant impact on the NBA. Not only is this player the best three-point shooter in the NBA, breaking Ray Allen’s record for the most successful three-pointers in 2021, but he is also the top free-throw shooter in the NBA right now, with a success percentage of 90.8%. The top active 3-point shooter is Stephen Curry, who we’ve discussed among the list’s active players. Also, he is simply one of the best players out there. Curry is a player that thrives under pressure, knows how to deliver when it counts, and is adaptable enough to know what to do in various circumstances, much like many other greats on this list. Things happen when he is in play. Because of the consistency and skill with which Curry and his teammate Klay Thompson shoot the ball, they are frequently called the Splash Brothers. Curry won his first team MVP honor for the 2014–2015 campaign and contributed significantly to the Warriors’ three NBA championship appearances in 2017, 2018, and 2022. Stephen Curry is not only a master of difficult 3-point shots but also a good scorer in general, averaging an incredible 22.5 points per game at this stage in his career. Curry averaged 11.7 three-point attempts per game during the 2021–2022 season, with an average of 4.5 of those going in. Stephen Curry secured his status as the player who has attempted the second-most three-point shots, right behind Ray Allen, as he overtook Ray Allen for the record. His outstanding 7,290 career tries have resulted in a record-breaking 3,117 successes. Stephen Curry is the first professional NBA player to have made more than 3,000 successful 3-point attempts throughout his career, and he’s still playing. it’s impressive that Stephen Curry has spent his whole career with the Golden State Warriors and that he won’t be switching teams anytime soon. The sky is the limit for Curry, so we’ll have to keep watching to see if he breaks any more NBA records. We hope to see him on the court for a very long time. The top 10 NBA players for 3-point shooting are shown below. These players are among the greatest in the game’s history, even though some of their careers are over and others merit close examination.

 

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