The 3-point line is not only an important area in the NBA but also a symbol of the tactical changes of the league over time. Since its official implementation in 1979, the all-time NBA shooting percentage has increasingly reflected the development of excellent shooters. Initially, long-range shots only played a supporting role in the gameplay, but over time, they became an important weapon to help teams make a difference. Today, not only defenders but also tall players participate in the 3-point shooting race. Top shooters have made their mark with thousands of successful shots, contributing to changing the face of the NBA. Let’s Bestsoccertips.com take a look at the NBA shooting percentage all time players through the article below!
Top 10 players NBA shooting percentage all time
Top 10: Jamal Crawford – 2,221 3-pointers made
Jamal Crawford is one of the players with the all time shooting percentage NBA. With a solid all-time NBA shooting percentage, Crawford has made over 2,200 successful 3-pointers in a career that spans more than two decades. He is known for his excellent individual play, ability to create space and shoot 3-pointers from difficult positions.
Crawford is one of the few players to win the “Sixth Man of the Year” award three times, proving his importance even when not playing. His 3-pointers often come from 1-on-1 situations, where he uses his individual technique to beat the opposing defender before shooting. Although he has not won an NBA championship, Crawford is still considered one of the most effective 3-point shooters in history, with the ability to explode in important moments.
Top 9: LeBron James – 2,240 3-pointers made
LeBron James is not a pure 3-point shooter, but he makes this list thanks to his long career and his ability to improve his long-range shooting skills over the years. His NBA all time 3 point shooting percentage isn’t among the highest, but his 2,200-plus successful 3-pointers show the evolution of his game. Initially, LeBron relied heavily on his strength and speed to score, but as he got older, he gradually perfected his 3-point shooting technique to maintain his scoring efficiency.
LeBron has proven that a well-rounded player needs more than just the ability to attack the basket, but also to use long-range shooting to create space for his teammates. During his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron regularly made crucial 3-pointers in decisive games. While he’s not a top shooter, his inclusion in the top 10 of this list is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of one of the NBA’s greatest players.
Top 8: Jason Terry – 2,282 3-pointers made
Jason Terry is one of the best 3-point shooters in NBA history, with an all-time NBA shooting percentage of 37.9%. He played a key role in the Dallas Mavericks’ 2011 NBA championship, making several game-winning 3-pointers that helped the team defeat the Miami Heat in the Finals. Terry is not only a shooter, but also has the ability to create scoring opportunities with his dribbling and quick finishes.
Playing for teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets, Terry has consistently been a consistent scorer from beyond the arc. He is one of the few players who can combine individual scoring ability with team contribution, adding depth to the team’s offense. His presence in the top 10 list of the best 3-point shooters in history shows his importance in the NBA’s transition to a style of play that emphasizes long-range shooting.
Top 7: Vince Carter – 2,290 3-pointers
Vince Carter is not only remembered for his NBA all time 3 point shooting percentage, with his all-time NBA shooting percentage consistently among the most consistent players. Although he started his career as a physical player, Carter gradually developed into a reliable shooter, helping him extend his career to 22 seasons – the longest in NBA history.
Carter has the ability to shoot 3-pointers from a variety of positions, especially in difficult situations. He relies not only on his physical strength but also on his finishing flair. While playing for teams like the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks, Carter was often an important scoring option. Although not mentioned as much as other 3-point specialists, his nearly 2,300 successful shots show his efficiency and durability throughout his career.
Top 6: Damian Lillard – 2,387 3-pointers made
Damian Lillard is one of the longest and most accurate 3-point shooters in the modern NBA, with an all-time NBA shooting percentage that remains high. He is known for his clutch game-winning shots, most notably a 3-pointer that eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder from the 2019 playoffs from 30 feet out. Not only is Lillard a great scorer, he also has the ability to create opportunities for himself with his extremely effective step-back 3-pointers.
Unlike many other shooters, Lillard can score from anywhere on the court, even from the midcourt logo. His style of play has always made the Portland Trail Blazers a dangerous team on offense, and now that he has moved to the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard continues to maintain his excellent shooting form. With his consistent performance and explosive scoring ability, he will certainly increase his 3-point shooting numbers in the coming years.
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Top 5: Kyle Korver – 2,450 3-pointers made
Kyle Korver is one of the most consistent 3-point shooters in NBA history, with an all-time NBA shooting percentage that is consistently among the highest. He doesn’t have the speed or dribbling ability to match his shooting ability, but he does have a solid shooting ability that makes him a threat from beyond the arc. He led the NBA in 3-point percentage for several seasons, with one of his best records being 53.6% in 2009-10 with the Utah Jazz.
Korver primarily plays a pure shooter role, taking advantage of off-ball runs to get the ball and shoot. He is the epitome of a 3-point shooter, maintaining his high level of performance despite playing for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. His inclusion in the top 5 list of players with the most successful 3-point shots is a testament to the importance of shooters in the modern NBA.
Top 4: Reggie Miller – 2,560 3-pointers
Reggie Miller is one of the NBA all time shooting percentage shooters. Playing his entire career for the Indiana Pacers, Miller was not only an efficient scorer but also one of the most clutch players in history, especially with his classic “8 points in 9 seconds” performance against the New York Knicks in 1995. Miller’s playing style was based on his ability to move constantly, helping him always find space to shoot. With a steady 3-point shooting percentage of over 39%, Miller was an ideal model for the next generation of shooters like Ray Allen and Stephen Curry.
Miller’s special point was his ability to maintain stability and efficiency throughout his career that spanned nearly two decades. He did not possess outstanding speed or physique, but he made up for it with intelligence, cunning and a relentless playing style. Miller’s three-point shooting has not only made the Indiana Pacers a formidable opponent, but has also made him one of the most decorated players in the NBA. His 2,560 three-pointers made stood as a record for many years before being surpassed by Ray Allen and then Stephen Curry.
Top 3: James Harden – 2,742 three-pointers
James Harden is not only known for his scoring ability, but also as one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. He combines a unique step-back technique with accurate shooting, creating an unpredictable offensive style. Harden does not rely on speed or strength like many other players, instead using his finesse, ability to read the game, and individual technique to overcome opponents. Harden’s peak came with the Houston Rockets, where he consistently averaged over 30 points in seasons and made hundreds of three-pointers per season.
Unlike pure shooters, Harden uses the step-back 3-pointer as his main weapon, forcing defenders to keep their distance, thereby creating space for him to shoot comfortably. Although criticized for his individualistic style and constant looking for fouls, it is undeniable that Harden has elevated the art of scoring from the 3-point line. His number of successful shots continued to increase while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers, affirming his position as one of the best shooters in NBA history.
Top 2: Ray Allen – 2,973 3-pointers
Ray Allen held the 3-point shooting record for many years before being surpassed by Stephen Curry. As one of the best shooters in the NBA, Allen possesses a perfect shooting motion with extremely high accuracy. During his career, he played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, leaving a big mark with his decisive shots, especially the 3-pointer that brought an important victory for the Miami Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals. Allen’s ability to move without the ball allows him to always find ideal shooting positions, making it difficult for opponents to close.
Ray Allen is not only famous for the number of 3-point shots, but also for his disciplined and durable playing style. His shooting ability is not only based on technique but also the result of serious and hard training. He has always maintained a high level of performance throughout his career, giving his teams an additional dangerous weapon from beyond the arc. Allen holding the 3-point shooting record for more than a decade is a clear testament to the stability and class of one of the greatest shooters in the NBA.
Top 1: Stephen Curry – 3,353 3-pointers
Stephen Curry is the NBA all time shooting percentage leaders, surpassing Ray Allen’s previous record in 2021. With his accurate long-range shooting, quick hands, and flexible movement, Curry has changed the way teams approach offensive tactics. Not only is he outstanding in quantity, his 3-point shooting efficiency is always among the best, with an average success rate of over 40%. Curry’s playing style forces opponents to change their defensive tactics, and at the same time opens an era where 3-point shooting becomes the main weapon of many NBA teams.
Curry’s consistent accuracy from long distances, even from outside the standard 3-point arc, makes him the biggest threat to any defense. Not only is he a pure shooter, Curry also has the ability to create space, shoot in difficult positions, and combine his skillful dribbling ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. His career was not only marked by record-breaking 3-point shots but also contributed to shaping the modern NBA in the direction of emphasizing speed, space and flexibility.
In Conclusion
The list of NBA shooting percentage all time shows the change in the approach to the game, as long shots have become more and more decisive. From pure shooters like Ray Allen and Kyle Korver to all-round superstars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James, all have contributed to the increase in NBA all-time shooting percentage. With the development of modern basketball, the number of successful 3-point shots will certainly continue to increase, and new records may be set soon in the future.
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