Is Stephen Curry the best three-point shooter in NBA history?

[Andrew]

By percentage...well, no. That would actually be his current head coach, Steve Kerr (45.4%), but for what it's worth, Stephen Curry does rank third (44.1%). But three times, Curry has also made more three-pointers in a single season than Kerr ever attempted in one year. Those three marks all rank in the top five for threes made in a single season: 286 (2015, 1st), 272 (2013, 2nd), and 261 (2014, 5th). He's made more three-pointers through his first six seasons than anyone else in history, and despite the volume of threes he's taken and the amount of attention he receives defensively, he's done it at the third best clip of all-time.

He currently ranks 50th all-time in career three-pointers made, and if he knocks them down next season like he has these past three, he'll be moving up several spots on the list. In fact, if he tops 186 threes made next season, and the four active players immediately ahead of him on the all-time chart - LeBron James, Hedo Turkoglu, Manu Ginobili, and Mike Dunleavy - make the same number of threes (or less) next season as they did this season, he'll move ahead of them. 264 made threes - a mark he's topped twice in the past three seasons - will also take him from 50th all-time to 25th all-time, in the span of one year.

The stats speak for themselves, but watch the guy play, and it's clear that he can flat out shoot. He makes it look effortless, whether he's open or closely guarded. Take away the defense entirely, and he'll knock down 77 consecutive threes in practice, and a total of 94 out of 100. Anecdotal evidence describes it well, stats back it up. He's a surgeon from beyond the arc.

At this point, I would have to say that he is indeed the best three-point shooter in history. Granted, if players like Larry Bird had played with a three-point line in college, or players like Jerry West had a three-point line during their NBA careers, the record books might look very different. But what-ifs don't detract from what Curry has done, and we can only evaluate him against the records that actually exist, in the era that the three-point line has actually been used in the NBA.

[Patr1ck]

I would say he is on his way to being regarded as the best 3 point shooter in history, while currently being the best in the league. Shooting at the percentage he does with the volume and defensive attention a scorer of his prowess receives, he is certainly making history as he goes.

[[Q]]

Off the dribble? That's probably a yes. Stand still? Probably not. Overall? He will be if he continues to shoot like this.

[Andrew]

Who would you say is the best in history when it comes to catch and shoot?

[Patr1ck]

I would put Ray Allen as the best for catch and shoot.

[[Q]]

Steve Nash? If he wasn't passing so much, he'd probably have 3 point shooting totals that rival Curry's, especially in the D'Antoni offense. This is the same guy who buried a 3 over Tim Duncan in the playoffs with one eye swollen shut.

[NovU]

Steve Nash? Good one, Q.

Curry is probably in Nash's boat in terms of shooting accuracy. Curry just looks for his own shots more than Nash ever did.

Curry is simply an amazing shooter. Have you seen his level of accuracy with such uncanny speed of release? He doesn't need much time or space to release his shot, and still keeps his accuracy quite high under pressure.

[bowdown]

I think we all know he is or is really close to it. Just needs more time to really solidify himself. The longer he stays in the league the harder it will be to argue against it.

[[Q]]

And don't forget korver shot 49% on the season this year

[NovU]

Andrew already mentioned about this generation thingie but yeah that's the thing.

Yeah, Korver's having a late career bloom out of nowhere. It's because 3 point has gradually became more valued each year. "You live by 3, you die by 3" phrase virtually doesn't exit no more. 3s are automatically considered part of game that all contender should do well.

It's different now because kids grew up shooting 3s. Larry never need to practice shooting 3s at young age. Old gen players didn't really shoot that many threes anyway. They ran different plays, evidently so, teams now days shoot more than double the 3s.

Even to consider Michael Jordan's era, teams shot about twice less 3s. It's probably because of zone defense rule: defender should stay with shooters unlike today where you cog the paint at any given chance. Game just evolved so teams are encouraged to utilize three point shooters more. Players in result practice more shooting 3s and teams run plays more for 3 point shooters.

In some senses, Curry and Korver are result of how this generaion's basketball is played. They're great but let's not forget players like Ray, Reggie, Larry, Price, so on.

[[Q]]

speaking of the older players, Glen Rice was cash money in Live 98

[Andrew]

Now the fastest player to reach 100 career three-pointers in the Playoffs.

[mp3]

I think something else that is amazing about his percentages is the type of shots he takes and makes, it's not like he is just spotting up they are usually off balance with a hand in his face.

He is right up there with Reggie and Ray Allen in my eyes.

[Andrew]

Absolutely. Terms like "pure shooter" are probably a bit corny and cliche, but I think it's a fair assessment in Curry's case.

[[Q]]

I think something else that is amazing about his percentages is the type of shots he takes and makes, it's not like he is just spotting up they are usually off balance with a hand in his face.

He is right up there with Reggie and Ray Allen in my eyes.

I'd take it a step further, as they were more traditional spot-up shooters. Curry's hitting these off the dribble, step backs, tipped passes, etc. Half of his 3s I just shake my head at because he has no business making them.

[NovU]

Dirk is also remarkable in that regard.

[JAWSFreelao]

Ray and Reggie for catch-and-shoot. If Danny Green hadn't taken so long to get his defense to NBA-par, one could argue for him as one of the most proficient catch-and-shooters. Off the dribble however, Curry is unrivaled.

[mp3]

I think something else that is amazing about his percentages is the type of shots he takes and makes, it's not like he is just spotting up they are usually off balance with a hand in his face.

He is right up there with Reggie and Ray Allen in my eyes.

I'd take it a step further, as they were more traditional spot-up shooters. Curry's hitting these off the dribble, step backs, tipped passes, etc. Half of his 3s I just shake my head at because he has no business making them.

I think you, me... Steve Kerr and most people shake our head at some of the 3's he makes.

In fact I think he misses more of the 3's that he is totally wide open for I think he needs that defender in his face lol

[Andrew]

He has a quick release. Give him too much time to set up, and perhaps he over-thinks the shot.

[Patr1ck]

He has a quick release. Give him too much time to set up, and perhaps he over-thinks the shot.

I have to say this is spot on. I also think there is another mental part of it as well. When you decide on your mind that you are going to shoot the ball can factor in to your focus. If you decide early, you may over think it and not lock your focus on the path of the shot as well as you can when you decide to shoot the moment before you go up. It's like a player trying to create a shot for themself only to end up in a spot they didn't intend and they settle for it.

[koberulz]

I always found that without a defender to pressure me, the actual motion of my release was simply slower than it should have been a lot of the time, resulting in missed shots. The time between deciding to shoot and actually shooting was the same, it just took longer for the ball to get from my shot pocket to my release point.

[Patr1ck]

It's like we measure the shot when we have the extra time.