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

As I was watching last night's game highlights, I saw Cruz drain four deep balls with that effortless form that reminded me of the all-time great shooters. It got me thinking about who actually sits atop the NBA's three-point mountain. Having followed basketball religiously since the 90s, I've witnessed the evolution of long-range shooting from novelty to necessity. When I first started watching, hitting five threes in a game was headline material - now players like Cruz regularly knock down four or five while barely breaking a sweat, like his recent 4-of-5 performance from beyond the arc.

The undisputed king of the three-pointer is Ray Allen with 2,973 career makes. I remember watching his textbook form - feet perfectly aligned, elbow tucked, that graceful follow-through - and thinking this was shooting perfection. What many casual fans don't realize is how much longevity matters in these records. Allen maintained elite shooting for eighteen seasons, adapting his game as he lost athleticism but never that picture-perfect jumper. Stephen Curry, currently sitting at 2,832 and climbing fast, represents the new era where three-point shooting isn't just a skill but the foundation of offensive systems. Personally, I believe Curry will shatter Allen's record within two seasons if he stays healthy - his volume is just unprecedented.

What fascinates me about the three-point revolution is how it's changed team construction. When I played college ball, coaches wanted big men who could rebound and defend the paint. Now? Every team is desperately searching for the next Duncan Robinson or Joe Harris - specialists who do little else but space the floor. The analytics movement convinced organizations that a 33% three-point shooter is as efficient as a 50% two-point shooter, fundamentally altering shot selection across the league. Watching players like Cruz exploit this math with his 4-of-5 shooting from deep shows how the game has evolved.

The international influence can't be overlooked either. European players like Peja Stojaković (1,760 threes) and Dirk Nowitzki (1,982 threes) brought that stretch-big mentality to the NBA when American coaches were still skeptical. I've always argued that Dražen Petrović, had he not died tragically young, would have challenged these records with his limitless range and fearless mentality. The globalization of shooting technique has given us this golden age of perimeter scoring.

Looking at the current landscape, I'm convinced we'll see multiple players surpass 3,000 career threes within the decade. The math just works differently now - young players grow up practicing 25-footers as routine shots. When I see rookies like Anthony Edwards pulling up from the logo without hesitation, I know the record books will keep being rewritten. The beautiful part is how this has created more stylistic diversity - you have pure shooters like Klay Thompson, off-the-dribble maestros like Curry, and big men like Karl-Anthony Towns all contributing to this three-point revolution in different ways.

Ultimately, while Ray Allen currently holds the crown, the throne won't be his for much longer. The numbers tell a clear story of evolution - from specialists to every player being expected to shoot. What Cruz demonstrated with his efficient 4-of-5 performance represents the new normal rather than an exceptional outing. As someone who's watched this transformation unfold, I can confidently say we're living through the most exciting offensive revolution in basketball history, and the three-point record will likely change hands multiple times before today's rookies retire.