The Best Three Point Shooters In NBA History, Ranked
Throughout NBA history there have always been many phenomenal long-range shooters, but in recent years, as the game has evolved, players are attempting three-point field goals much more frequently than ever before, and therefore, scoring more.
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In that sense, it is not surprising that most of the best three-point shooters are from the modern era, although there is a couple from the 1990s as well. Taking into account career three-point field goals totals, playoff three-pointers, three-point field goal percentage and simply long-range shooting talent, below are the10 best three-point shooters in NBA history, ranked.
10 J.J. Redick
You may be surprised to read J.J. Redick's name on this list, but he's actually an excellent candidate to kick things off, and here's why. He made 1,950 three-pointers in his career (16th all-time), with a 41.5 three-point field goal percentage (18th all-time), and it is impressive because there are very few players who are in the top-20 in both departments. J.J Redick was lethal from the corners, and he was also very effective in the playoffs, scoring 189 three-point field goals.
9 Steve Nash
Hall of Famer Steve Nash was not only one of the best assist men of all time, but he was also an outstanding shooter from both mid-range and long range. Nash has the second-highest free throw percentage in NBA history (90.4%) and the 11th highest field goal percentage from three-point range (42.8%). Nash totaled 1,685 three-pointers in his career, excluding his 178 threes in the playoffs.
8 LeBron James
LeBron James will go down in history as one of the best basketball players of all time, as his consistency and durability is simply extraordinary, and that is why he is among the best in pretty much every department, including those related to three-point field goals.
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James has made 2,140 three-pointers in the regular season and 432 in the playoffs, although his three-point field goal percentage is under 35%. Best of all, many of LeBron's threes were crucial in leading his teams to the championship.
7 James Harden
Despite not being able to get a championship ring yet, James Harden has had a Hall of Fame-worthy career from a statistical standpoint, as he averages 24.9 points per game in his career, third highest among active players. That high average is thanks in part to three-point field goals, as Harden is third on the all-time list with 2,593 three-pointers. Likewise, Harden is also fifth in playoff three-pointers, with 369.
6 Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr is the player with the highest three-point field goal percentage in history (45.4%). Kerr didn't try often, but when he did, he was ridiculously effective. In fact, Kerr was so accurate that even Michael Jordan trusted him with important shots on several occasions. On the other hand, Kerr most likely gave three-point shooting tips to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Steve Kerr is undoubtedly one of the most influential individuals in the three-point game.
5 Klay Thompson
In 647 NBA games, Klay Thompson has 1,912 threes, so it's safe to say that if he hadn't missed two seasons due to injuries, then he would be in the top-10 players with the most three-pointers in NBA history. In addition, Thompson has a three-point field goal percentage of 41.7 (16th highest in history).
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In the playoffs, Thompson has 421 three-point field goals so far, which is the third most ever. It is also worth mentioning that Klay Thompson holds the record for most three-pointers in a single game, which he set by making 14 threes against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2018.
4 Kyle Korver
Truth be told, Kyle Korver had a mediocre career, posting 9.3 points, 1.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 44.2 and a player efficiency rating of 12.8. That said, it's no wonder many fans forget how good Kyle Korver was from long range. Korver made 2,450 three-pointers (fifth most all-time), with a 42.9 three-point field goal percentage (10th highest). Kyle Korver was a three-point specialist, and he doesn't seem to get the credit he truly deserves.
3 Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was the best three-point shooter of the 1990s. This guy seemed to play a different game when shooting from long distance. Miller was way ahead of his time, no doubt about it. Miller made a huge impact and owned several three-point records. Currently, Reggie Miller ranks fourth among three-point field goal leaders with 2,460, and he had a 39.5 field goal percentage. Considering talent and career stats, there was no way Miller wasn't going to make this list.
2 Ray Allen
You could say that Ray Allen somehow followed in Reggie Miller's footsteps, but Allen was more consistent and eventually dethroned Miller as the three-point king. Allen set some records, such as most career three-point field goals (2,973), most threes in a single season (269 in 2005-06) and most three-pointers in the playoffs (385). In addition, Allen had a three-point field goal percentage of 40. Ray Allen undoubtedly had a legendary career.
1 Stephen Curry
Ray Allen owned the aforementioned records until Stephen Curry came along. Curry not only became the new king of the three-pointer, he has shattered most of the records. Curry is the all-time leader in three-pointers with 3,117, with an excellent three-point field goal percentage of 42.8. Steph is the only player with more than 500 three-pointers in the playoffs, and he is the only player to reach 400 threes in a single season, not to mention he is the only player to have multiple 300-three seasons (four). And beyond the stats, Curry's talent from long distance is unique, as the speed with which he shoots, and his uncanny ability to make really complex shots, are incredible. Stephen Curry is undisputedly the best three-point shooter in history.
