Who Has Made the Most All Time 3 Pointers in NBA History?

As I was watching last night's game highlights, I saw a player hit four three-pointers in spectacular fashion, which got me thinking about the absolute legends who have mastered this art over NBA history. Having followed basketball religiously since the late 90s, I've witnessed the three-point shot evolve from a situational weapon to the centerpiece of modern offensive schemes. The player I'm referring to actually reminds me of the incredible consistency required to climb that all-time leaderboard - it's not just about flashy shooting nights but sustained excellence over more than a decade of NBA competition.

When we talk about the most prolific three-point shooters in history, the conversation absolutely begins and ends with Stephen Curry. I've had the privilege of watching his entire career unfold, and what he's done to revolutionize shooting is nothing short of remarkable. As of today, Curry sits comfortably atop the all-time list with over 3,400 three-pointers made - and he's still adding to that number regularly. What many casual fans might not appreciate is the degree of difficulty on his shots; he's not just spotting up in corners but launching from well beyond the arc with defenders in his face. I remember arguing with fellow analysts back in 2013 about whether his shooting was sustainable, and boy was I wrong to doubt him.

The player trailing Curry is Ray Allen with 2,973 career threes, and having watched his entire career, I'd argue his shooting form was the most mechanically perfect I've ever seen. Allen maintained incredible efficiency while shouldering massive offensive responsibilities for both the Bucks and SuperSonics before becoming the ultimate role player in Boston and Miami. What separates these all-time great shooters from mere good shooters isn't just volume but their ability to deliver in clutch moments - Allen's Game 6 shot against the Spurs might be the most important three in NBA history.

Now, when I see performances like the one referenced where a player hit four three-pointers while shooting 80% from deep, it makes me appreciate the night-to-night consistency required to reach these historic totals. The third spot belongs to James Harden with around 2,800 threes, though his efficiency has certainly dipped compared to his MVP years. Reggie Miller at number four with 2,560 was the original revolutionary - I still remember his legendary duel with the Knicks in 1995 where he scored 8 points in 9 seconds largely through three-point shooting.

The recent surge in three-point shooting across the league means we'll likely see more players challenge these records in coming years. Damian Lillard, for instance, already has over 2,300 threes and could realistically challenge for second place if he maintains his current pace. What's fascinating to me as someone who's charted shooting data for years is how the quality of looks has changed - today's players get more open threes because defenses have to respect everyone from the center to the point guard.

Looking at the broader landscape, the three-point revolution has completely transformed how teams build rosters and design offenses. When I started covering the NBA, a center attempting threes was considered borderline heresy - now we have big men like Karl-Anthony Towns shooting nearly 40% from deep. The analytics movement certainly accelerated this trend, but it was pioneers like Curry who proved that high-volume three-point shooting could be the foundation of championship teams.

As we move forward, I suspect we'll see the all-time three-point record become one of the most coveted milestones in basketball. The combination of increased attempts and improved shooting techniques means future generations will have advantages previous shooters didn't. Still, what Curry has accomplished - reaching the top while maintaining elite efficiency - may stand for decades. The beauty of three-point shooting lies in its democratizing effect on the game; unlike dunking which favors the physically gifted, shooting rewards precision and practice above all else. That's why, as both a fan and analyst, I find these shooting milestones so compelling - they represent thousands of hours of unseen work finally paying off in the brightest moments.