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When the NBA introduced the concept of 3-point field goals back in 1979, many considered it nothing more than a gimmick. That might explain why its incorporation was relatively slow.
In the first 10 seasons following its addition, only one team notched over 1000 3-point attempts in a single season (New York Knicks, 1988-89). Since then, it has definitely become a crucial part of a team's offense. The last team that shot less than 1000 shots from beyond the arc in an 82-game season was the Memphis Grizzlies, back in 2010-11.
Also read: Best NBA Finals Series of all-time
Considering these numbers, it is only natural that the shot's importance increased through time. In the current era, shooting from deep is no longer limited to 3-point specialists, and players in every position are requested to be able to score threes at least every once in a while.
This shot not only revolutionized the game of basketball but also helped to decide many crucial playoff games in general and finals games in particular. Here's a look at the top 5 players in NBA history in 3-pointers made in the finals.
#5 Ray Allen
Ray Allen is one of the best 3-point shooters in the history of the game. Allen made more 3-pointers than any player in the NBA regular season and playoffs history, with 2973 and 385, respectively.
His 18-year-long NBA career in Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston and Miami earned him 10 All-Star appearances, 2 All-NBA selections, and 2 NBA titles. But perhaps the most memorable of his 55 finals 3-pointers came in the 2013 NBA Finals when he managed to etch his name in NBA Finals history.
Allen sent game 6 to overtime with an unforgettable game-tying 3-pointer, 5.2 seconds before the end of regulation, down 3-2 in the series. The Heat went on to win the game and eventually win the title in game 7.
Allen had the privilege to play alongside some of the best ball distributors in history, like Sam Cassell, Rajon Rondo and LeBron James, all top-50 all-time in assists. This explains why over 80% of Allen's 3-pointers were assisted.
With the emergence of Steph Curry in recent years, it is likely to assume he will dethrone Ray Allen in the all-time lists and take his place as the greatest 3-point shooter ever. But even if this happens, Allen's numbers and induction to the Hall of Fame will serve as an everlasting reminder of what a great shooter he was.
#4 Robert Horry
Robert Horry is the least glamorous name on this list, but he is also a seven-time NBA champion and one of the best clutch players and winners in NBA history.
His first finals clutch moment came in game 3 of the 1995 NBA Finals. Horry scored a 3-pointer to increase the Rockets' lead to four points, with 14.1 seconds left in the game. Houston won that game and continued to sweep the Orlando Magic and win the title.
He did it again in 2001, this time in the purple and gold of the Lakers. In game 3 of that finals series, Horry opened a four-point lead, 47.1 seconds to go, with another 3-pointer. He ended up that game with four consecutive free throws and gave the Lakers the lead in the series against the 76ers.
Another crucial shot from Horry came in game 5 of the 2005 NBA Finals. Horry followed the fourth quarter of three made 3-pointers with a game-winning 3-pointer, with 5.8 left in overtime, and gave the San Antonio Spurs a 3-2 lead against the Pistons.
Robert Horry didn’t just make his way into this list, he earned it. Almost every one of his 56 3-pointers in the finals has a story behind it. He might not be remembered as one of the best, but will surely be an example of a true winner.
#3 Klay Thompson
Calling Klay Thompson one of the greatest 3-point shooters of all-time is a vast understatement. Thompson holds an almost inconceivable league record of nine 3-pointers in a single quarter and is tied with his fellow Splash Brother, Steph Curry, for most seasons with over 200 3-pointers, with six.
He has been an integral but often silent part of the Warriors two championships. They could always rely on him to perform, even when bigger stars like Steph and KD didn’t show up. He has 12 finals performances with three 3-pointers or more in 20 games, second-most all-time.
Klay is also the first player in NBA playoffs history to score 10 or more 3-pointers in a single game, in a series-tying win against OKC in 2016. He also tied the playoffs record for most 3-pointers in a single postseason that year with 98.
His prolific shooting, alongside good defensive skills, earned him four All-Star appearances and two All-NBA selections. He also won the 3-point shooting contest in the 2016 All-Star weekend by tying the contest's record score at the time, 27 points.
A 42.2 percent 3-point shooter throughout his career, Klay established himself as one the best shooters of the modern game. With his quick release and lethal efficiency, Thompson is one of toughest players to defend against, and it helped him reach 58 finals 3-pointers.
#2 LeBron James
Would you expect anything less from the man who has eight straight final appearances and nine in total? The King has become an inevitable feature of the NBA Finals and is considered a title contender in the beginning of every season, regardless of the roster he has to play with.
James, who was a 34.2 percent 3-point shooter until this season, improved his shooting thanks to a freak accident. LeBron had to adjust his shooting form after suffering a swollen elbow following the 2017 NBA Finals.
Even though there was no structural damage, it was bugging him to a point that he had to wear a compression sleeve on an everyday basis. In order to overcome the discomfort, he started to shoot the ball from a higher release point.
This attribute is just another addition to his amazing resume, which includes four MVP's, three Finals MVP's, 13 All-NBA selections, 14-time All-Star appearances and more than one can possibly note.
But even without that improved shooting ability, LeBron managed to stack up plenty of 3-pointers. James is ranked fourth all-time in finals appearances with his nine series and even a penetration-first player like him, in the golden age of the 3-point era, can accumulate as many as 85 3-pointers to place him second in that list.
#1 Stephen Curry
The cherry on top of this 3-point sundae is "surprisingly" enough Steph Curry. The man who crossed 400 made 3-pointers in a single season when nobody else crossed 300; the man who broke an 11-year-old record of 3-pointers made in a single game with 13; the man who earned the description "the greatest shooter who ever lived".
Watching Steph play is enough, to sum up the change that occurred in basketball. Curry has trained his whole life to create a perfect shot; he is taking and dropping shots that were previously considered terrible; he is consistently moving off-ball, getting rid of defenders and taking advantage of perfectly set down screens.
Even though he struggled with some nagging injuries in recent years, Steph can still perform in big moments. He added another record to his record book with nine 3-pointers in a single NBA Finals game.
After reaching 90 3-pointers and closing the gap for most in the NBA Finals, Curry is getting closer to the top of the all-time 3-point leaderboard, to which he will probably get eventually. Until then, the 2-time MVP, 4-time All-NBA and 5-time All-Star will continue to lead his Golden State Warriors towards what's seems like one of the biggest dynasties in NBA history.
