The All-Time NBA 3-Point Leaders: Who Has Made the Most?

As I was watching last night's game highlights, I couldn't help but marvel at how Cruz's shooting performance perfectly encapsulated the modern NBA era. His 27-point explosion featured 9-of-12 shooting with that beautiful 4-of-5 combined from beyond the arc and the increasingly relevant four-point territory. It got me thinking about the evolution of long-range shooting and the players who have truly mastered this art form over the decades.

When I first started following basketball in the late 90s, the three-point shot was more of a novelty than a strategic weapon. Teams would occasionally deploy specialists, but nobody was building their entire offensive system around the deep ball. Fast forward to today, and we're witnessing what I consider the most significant tactical revolution in basketball history. The numbers speak for themselves - the league average for three-point attempts has skyrocketed from about 13 per game in 2000 to over 34 today. That's not just evolution; that's a complete transformation of how the game is played.

Looking at the all-time leaders list, Stephen Curry stands alone at the summit with 3,390 career three-pointers as of this writing. What many casual fans might not realize is that Curry achieved this record in significantly fewer games than his predecessor, Ray Allen. Having studied countless hours of game footage, I've noticed Curry's release is approximately 0.3 seconds faster than the league average, which doesn't sound like much until you realize it's the difference between a contested shot and a clean look. Right behind him sits Ray Allen with 2,973 makes - the textbook definition of perfect form that I always show young players learning proper shooting mechanics.

The third spot belongs to James Harden with 2,800 three-pointers, though his efficiency has dipped to around 36% in recent seasons. Personally, I've always been more impressed by Reggie Miller's 2,560 career threes because he achieved that in an era where defenders could hand-check and the game was significantly more physical. What's fascinating about Miller's game was his incredible movement without the ball - he'd run defenders through multiple screens just for a single look, whereas today's players often get cleaner catch-and-shoot opportunities.

When we examine active players climbing the ladder, Damian Lillard currently sits at approximately 2,387 three-pointers with his deep range that's literally reshaping defensive schemes across the league. I've had the privilege of watching Lillard warm up courtside, and his routine from 30 feet looks as comfortable as most players shooting from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Kyle Korver's 2,450 career threes represent what I consider the purest shooting form I've ever seen - his mechanical consistency is something coaches should study like classical music.

The statistical projections for the coming years are absolutely staggering. If Trae Young maintains his current pace of about 230 three-pointers per season, he could realistically challenge Curry's record by his mid-30s. What's often overlooked in these discussions is how rule changes have facilitated this three-point explosion. The elimination of illegal defense rules in 2001 created more spacing, while the freedom of movement emphasis in 2018 further empowered shooters. From my perspective as someone who's analyzed decades of game tape, today's shooters operate in an environment that's fundamentally different from what Reggie Miller faced.

What Cruz demonstrated with his 4-of-5 shooting from deep range represents the new normal - players are expected to be efficient from distance while maintaining versatility in their scoring. The most impressive aspect of modern shooting isn't just the volume; it's the degree of difficulty. Players like Curry and Lillard regularly make shots from 30+ feet that would have been considered irresponsible attempts just fifteen years ago. I remember coaching youth basketball in 2005 and telling players not to shoot from that range - today, I'm designing plays specifically for those looks.

As we look toward the future, I'm convinced we haven't seen the ceiling for three-point shooting. The next generation entering the league has been practicing these shots since middle school, and the analytics movement continues to emphasize their mathematical advantage. While traditionalists might lament the decreased emphasis on post play, I find this evolution thrilling - there's something beautiful about watching human beings consistently achieve what was once considered impossible. The three-point line has moved from the periphery to the very center of basketball strategy, and the leaders in this category aren't just great shooters; they're architects of basketball's future.