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No shot has been more subject to debate than the 3 pointer. The analytics guys love it while the old school folks hate it. Gregg Popovich recently said that he hates the 3 point shot and that it's sort of the ruined the game, which led to Steph Curry responding with a simple "nope".
While one can go on and on about the kind of impact it has had on the league, there is no denying its importance in the NBA now. Teams are shooting the 3 more often than at any point previously and it has almost become a necessity for a player, regardless of position to be able to sink one from deep.
Not everyone can become a good 3 point shooter of course, (just ask Giannis and Ben Simmons) so we should appreciate the guys who have mastered the art. So, today we count down the top 5 3 point field goal leaders of all time.
#5 Stephen Curry
The greatest shooter in league history checks in at Number 5 with 2213 3s, but it's only a matter of time before he reaches the top. While he is shooting it at a ridiculous pace, Curry is also the most efficient shooter on this list at 43.8%, which is remarkable for a guy who takes crazy, off the dribble 3s from way behind the arc.
Curry currently holds 4 of the top 5 spots when it comes to 3s made in a season, and his 402 made 3s in 2015/16 is a record, which I can safely say will never be broken. To put into context, Curry is also 2nd on the list with 324 3s in 2016/17 and no one else has managed to get to 300.
He'll probably catch #4 and #3 on the list before the All-Star break and it's only a matter of time before he obliterates every 3 point record there is.
#4 Kyle Korver
The ever-reliable Kyle Korver is currently 4th all-time for 3s made with 2,247 makes from beyond the arc. Korver is second only to Curry in terms of efficiency on this list, shooting 43.2% from beyond the arc.
In 2009/10, he set the record for the highest 3 point field goal % in a season, at 53.6%, a mark which is unlikely to ever be eclipsed. He has led the league in 3 point % 4 times, more than anyone else on this list and is on course for his 12th season shooting 40% or more from beyond the arc and only Steve Nash with 13 has more.
His best season in terms of 3s made came in 2004/05 when he drilled 226 3s which led the league. Korver is unlikely to go any higher on this list, with his career winding down and with Curry breathing down his neck.
#3 Jason Terry
The JET finally seemed to have hung up his boots after last season, but apparently seems to be open for a return to the NBA. Terry currently holds the 3rd spot for 3s made with 2,282 over his 19 years in the NBA. While he was more of a mid-range shooter, Terry was more than capable of sticking one in from deep. He hit at least a 100 3s in 14 of his 19 years in the league.
Terry does, however, rank last in the list in terms of efficiency, at 38% (which is still great by the way) and his best shooting season came in 2001/02 when he hit 172 3s, but it's a testament to his consistency that he still ranks as high as he does.
Later in his career, he also developed a knack of getting it done in the clutch and it was on full display for everybody to see in the 2011 NBA Finals when along with Dirk Nowitzki he led the Mavericks to an upset win over the Heat.
#2 Reggie Miller
Regarded as one of the most clutch shooters ever, Reggie Miller comes in at 2nd with 2,560 3s made in his 18 year NBA career. Miller ranked in the top 10 for 3s made every year and held the record for most 3s at the time of his retirement. Miller led the league in 3s made twice and shot 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Known for his performances late in games, Miller had his greatest against a team he often tormented, the New York Knicks. With the Pacers down 6 with 16 seconds left against the Knicks in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, Miller scored 8 points in 8.9 seconds to pull off the unlikeliest of Game 1 wins as the Pacers ultimately won the series in 7 games. His constant thwarting of those great Knicks teams in the 90s led to him being called the "Knick Killer".
#1 Ray Allen
The all-time leader in 3s made, Ray Allen sits at the top of the pile with 2,973 3s hit at a 40% clip in his 18 year NBA career. Allen led the league in 3s made thrice, was in the top 10 in makes 11 times and held the record for most 3s in a season before Steph Curry went bonkers.
While Allen had nights when he was absolutely unconscious from beyond the arc, one moment will forever stick out in the minds of everyone. In Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Allen hit what many consider the greatest clutch shot in NBA history. With the Heat trailing in the series 3-2 and down 3 late in the game, LeBron James missed a 3 pointer, but Chris Bosh managed to get the Rebound and passed it off to Allen, who stepped back and drilled the 3 with Tony Parker closing in on him. That shot saved the Heat who would win the game in OT and the series eventually in Game 7.
