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

As I was watching last night's game highlights, I found myself marveling at how dramatically the NBA has transformed into a three-point shooting league. The reference to Cruz's performance - 27 points built on 9-of-12 shooting with impressive accuracy from beyond the arc - perfectly illustrates this evolution. It got me thinking about the true legends of long-range shooting and who actually sits atop the all-time three-pointers list. Having followed basketball religiously since the 90s, I've witnessed this revolution firsthand, from teams occasionally taking threes as novelty shots to today's analytics-driven era where the three-pointer has become the most valuable weapon in any team's arsenal.

When we talk about the king of three-point shooting, there's really no debate - Stephen Curry has not only claimed the throne but has fundamentally redefined what's possible from distance. The numbers speak for themselves: Curry surpassed Ray Allen's record of 2,973 career three-pointers during the 2021-2022 season and has been extending his lead ever since. What's truly remarkable is how he's achieved this. While Ray Allen needed 1,300 games to set his record, Curry shattered it in under 800 games. That efficiency difference is staggering, and it reflects how the game has evolved but also how Curry specifically has mastered the art of three-point shooting in ways we've never seen before. I've always been fascinated by shooting mechanics, and Curry's quick release and limitless range have forced defenses to extend beyond what was previously considered logical basketball strategy.

The conversation naturally extends beyond Curry to other legendary shooters who've left their mark. Ray Allen's record stood for years, and his textbook-perfect form remains the gold standard for young players learning the craft. Reggie Miller, who held the record before Allen, brought a different kind of magic with his clutch shooting and relentless movement without the ball. What's interesting to me is how each era produced its shooting specialists, but today's players are developing these skills much earlier. When I compare Cruz's recent performance - hitting 4-of-5 from both the rainbow and four-point line - to the shooting numbers from twenty years ago, the progression is undeniable. We're seeing players now who treat 30-footers like routine mid-range jumpers, something that would have been unthinkable when Miller was playing.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is how three-point shooting has become more than just a skill - it's a philosophical commitment. Teams aren't just asking players to shoot threes; they're building entire offensive systems around creating high-percentage looks from beyond the arc. The math is simple: making 35% of your three-point attempts yields more points than making 50% of your two-pointers. This analytical approach has changed roster construction, player development, and even how we evaluate talent. I've noticed that teams now prioritize shooting over almost every other skill, seeking players who can space the floor regardless of their position.

Looking at the current landscape, the future of three-point shooting appears limitless. We're already seeing players like Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson climbing the all-time lists, with Lillard's deep range challenging even Curry's territory. The progression reminds me of watching track and field records fall - each generation builds upon the last, pushing boundaries further. What excites me most is that the record will likely continue to change hands more frequently as players grow up in this three-point-centric era. The kids learning basketball today are developing three-point range before they can drive to the basket, which suggests that Curry's eventual successor might already be honing their craft somewhere.

As the game continues to evolve, I believe we'll look back at this era as the true revolution in basketball strategy. The three-pointer has done more than just add another scoring option - it has transformed court spacing, defensive schemes, and how games are won. While records are made to be broken, what Curry has accomplished represents more than just statistical supremacy; it's about changing our very understanding of what's possible in basketball. The next time I see a performance like Cruz's - efficient, long-range, and analytically perfect - I'll appreciate it as part of this ongoing evolution, another step in basketball's endless innovation.