Man, remember when hitting two three-pointers in a game felt like a big deal? These days, teams are launching 30+ per night like it's nothing. Wild how much the game's changed. I still get chills thinking about Ray Allen's corner three in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals - that shot literally saved Miami's championship hopes. But when we talk about all-time 3 pointers NBA greatness, it's not just about one moment. We're talking decades of shooting evolution, rule changes, and pure skill development.
The Evolution of the Three-Pointer
Funny story - the NBA actually resisted the three-pointer at first. When the ABA introduced it in 1967, old-school coaches called it a gimmick. The NBA finally adopted it in 1979, but get this: they made the distance shorter than today's arc! Chris Ford of the Celtics hit the first regular season three, but nobody really cared back then. Teams averaged less than three attempts per game that first season. Can you imagine?
Shooting form was completely different too. Watch old footage - guys were shooting set shots with both feet planted. None of this step-back, off-the-dribble stuff. It wasn't until the 90s that specialists like Reggie Miller started changing minds. I remember arguing with my college roommate about whether Miller or Allan Houston was the better pure shooter - turns out we undervalued both compared to what came later.
Key Rule Changes Impacting Three-Pointers
- 1994-95 season: The arc shortened to 22 feet all around (except corners)
- 1997-98 season: Arc returned to original 23'9" distance
- 2004-05 season: Hand-checking rules reduced physicality on perimeter
- 2017-18 season: Commissioner Silver emphasized freedom of movement rules
The All-Time 3-Point Kings
Okay, let's get to the meat of it. When discussing NBA all time 3 pointers leaders, three names dominate the conversation. But the stats reveal some surprises too.
| Rank | Player | Total 3PM | Seasons | Best Season | Career % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry ACTIVE | 3,747 | 15 | 402 (2015-16) | 42.7% |
| 2 | Ray Allen | 2,973 | 18 | 269 (2005-06) | 40.0% |
| 3 | James Harden ACTIVE | 2,800 | 15 | 378 (2019-20) | 36.3% |
| 4 | Reggie Miller | 2,560 | 18 | 229 (1996-97) | 39.5% |
| 5 | Kyle Korver | 2,450 | 17 | 221 (2014-15) | 42.9% |
Look, I know Harden's efficiency numbers raise eyebrows. But volume matters too when we're talking about all time 3 pointers NBA records. The dude attempted 1,028 threes in 2019 alone! Compare that to Reggie Miller's entire 1993 season (292 attempts). Different eras, man.
Most Underrated Shooters in NBA History
Everyone talks about Curry and Allen, but let's show some love to the specialists:
- Steve Kerr - Holds the career 3P% record at 45.4%. Made the dagger in '97 Finals
- Peja Stojakovic - Led league in makes twice. Smoothest stroke you ever saw
- Dell Curry - Steph's dad shot 40% for career in pre-three-point-revolution era
- Hubert Davis - Career 44% shooter who never gets mentioned anymore
Fun fact: The single-season record for 3P% belongs to Kyle Korver - he shot an absurd 53.6% in 2009-10 while making 59 threes. But here's the kicker - he didn't even qualify for the league leaderboard because he didn't attempt enough! Minimum was 82 makes that year and he only played 52 games.
Game-Changing Shooting Performances
Some nights just rewrite the record books. I was at the Garden when Klay Thompson dropped 14 threes against Chicago in 2018. The building went nuts every time he caught the ball after the 10th make. But these are the benchmarks every shooter chases:
| Record | Player | Stat | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most in game | Klay Thompson | 14 | Oct 29, 2018 | Bulls |
| Most in playoff game | Damian Lillard | 12 | Jun 1, 2021 | Nuggets |
| Most in Finals game | Stephen Curry | 9 | Jun 3, 2018 | Cavaliers |
| Consecutive games with 3PM | Stephen Curry | 268 | 2014-2016 | - |
People forget Michael Jordan's "shrug game" in the 1992 Finals was the original three-point explosion. MJ hit six first-half threes against Portland while talking trash to their bench. That performance changed how people viewed star players and long-range shooting forever.
How Shooting Changed Basketball Strategy
Remember "live by the three, die by the three"? Coaches used to say that like it was bad thing. Now it's every team's philosophy. The math is simple: 35% from three equals 52.5% from two. Even average shooting becomes efficient offense. But man, some teams take it to extremes. Watching Houston jack 50 threes in a playoff game gave me anxiety.
- Spacing revolution: Positionless basketball created by shooters at all five spots
- Pick-and-roll evolution: Ball handlers shoot off dribble instead of just passing
- Big man transformation: Centers like Brook Lopez shooting 34% on 6+ attempts
- Shot spectrum shift: Mid-range jumpers becoming endangered species
Honestly? I miss post play sometimes. There's beauty in a well-executed back-to-the-basket move that analytics killed. But you can't argue with results - the best offenses now all rank near the top in three-point attempts.
The Analytics Behind the Revolution
Daryl Morey's Rockets proved this with extreme math: They completely eliminated mid-range shots. The formula was simple:
Points per shot attempt:
Corner 3: 1.18 points
Above-break 3: 1.11 points
Restricted area: 1.18 points
Mid-range: 0.80 points
See why mid-rangers disappeared? But here's what numbers don't show - playoff defenses take away the three-point line. Teams that can't score in other ways get exposed. Just look at the 2021 Jazz losing to the Clippers after leading 3-1.
Training and Shooting Mechanics Breakdown
Modern shooters are manufactured, not born. Steph Curry's trainer Brandon Payne showed me the crazy drills they do - shooting with strobe glasses, weighted vests, and tennis ball distractions. The science behind NBA all time 3 pointers leaders involves:
- Release time: Elite shooters release in 0.3-0.4 seconds (average is 0.6+)
- Shot arc: Optimal trajectory is 45 degrees (Curry averages 50)
- Off-hand guide: Notice how Klay Thompson's left hand falls away cleanly?
- Footwork: Squaring shoulders off screens vs. hop landing mechanics
Funny how shooting forms evolved. Old-school guys like Larry Bird shot two-motion shots with high release points. Now everyone copies Curry's one-motion flick. Personally, I think Ray Allen still had the most perfect form - textbook elevation and follow-through.
Debating the Greatest Shooter Ever
This starts fights at barbershops. Statistically, Curry laps the field. But context matters. Consider these factors:
| Criteria | Curry | Allen | Miller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty of shots | Off-dribble, 30+ feet | Catch-and-shoot specialist | Off screens, clutch situations |
| Defensive attention | Double-teamed at halfcourt | Focused coverage | Physical hand-checking allowed |
| Clutch gene | Multiple Finals daggers | Greatest Finals shot ever | "Miller Time" reputation |
| Volume + efficiency | 400+ seasons at 45% | Never top 270 makes | Never top 230 makes |
My controversial take? Peak Klay Thompson deserves mention. When that man gets hot, he makes tough shots look easier than anyone. But longevity matters too. That's why the NBA all time 3 pointers conversation always comes back to Curry's combination of volume, difficulty and efficiency.
The Future of NBA Three-Point Shooting
Hold on to your hats - what we've seen is just the beginning. Players entering high school now grew up emulating Curry's 30-footers. Scouts tell me seventh graders routinely shoot NBA-range threes in AAU tournaments. Here's what's coming next:
- Positionless shooting: 6'10" prospects like Chet Holmgren shooting like guards
- Deep-range normalization: 30-footers becoming standard offensive sets
- Defensive adaptations: Switching everything vs. zone innovations
- Record chasers: Current players tracking Curry's record (Harden could pass Allen in 2 seasons)
Wonder if we'll see a 50% three-point shooter one day? Doubt it. But 300 made threes might become commonplace. Wild to think that just 20 years ago, 200 made threes was an elite achievement. When analyzing NBA all time 3 pointers, we have to remember the evolution isn't done.
Common Questions About NBA 3-Point Records
Who has the best single-season three-point percentage?
Steve Kerr shot 52.4% in 1994-95 - but only attempted 134 threes. For qualified leaders (min 82 makes), Kyle Korver holds the record at 49.2% in 2014-15.
Could anyone ever break Curry's career record?
Realistically? Probably not. Curry's lead is massive and he's still adding to it. But if anyone could, it'd be Luka Dončić - he's on pace to have the most threes before age 25.
Why did three-point shooting explode after 2015?
Three factors: 1) Warriors championship proof-of-concept 2) Player tracking data showing efficiency advantages 3) Freedom of movement rules reducing physicality on perimeter defenders.
Who made the first NBA three-pointer?
Celtics guard Chris Ford hit the first regular season three on October 12, 1979 against the Rockets. Funny enough, Larry Bird missed the first attempt earlier that game.
How has the three-point line distance changed?
The NBA shortened it to 22 feet from 1994-97 to boost scoring. It returned to 23'9" after ratings dropped. The corners have always been 22 feet though - that's why specialists love camping there.
Final Thoughts on Three-Point Greatness
Looking back at all time NBA 3 pointers leaders reveals basketball's radical transformation. From novelty act to essential weapon, the three-ball reshaped everything - player development, roster construction, even arena design (notice deeper courts now?). What fascinates me most isn't the records, but how differently generations approached shooting.
Old-school guys like Miller practiced hundreds of shots daily. New-school scientists like Curry optimize angles and release points. Both valid paths to greatness. Maybe that's why debates about the best shooter never end - we're comparing different sports in different eras.
One prediction? Curry's 402 threes in 2015-16 will stand longer than Wilt's 100-point game. The physical toll of maintaining that volume and accuracy over 82 games is brutal. We might see players attempt more, but making 45% on 11 attempts per game? That's basketball's unbreakable record.