Three-point shooting defines the modern era of the NBA, and it's impossible to discuss it without mentioning legends like Stephen Curry. Hitting over 40% of his three-pointers throughout his career, Curry has literally changed the game. When Curry launched a jaw-dropping 402 three-pointers in the 2015-2016 season, he set an all-time record. No one ever thought someone could average over five made threes a game for an entire season, yet here we are with Curry turning that into a norm rather than an exception.
In the '80s and '90s, three-point shooting wasn't nearly as celebrated. Larry Bird, though revered for his shooting, made a fraction of the number of attempts shooters take today. For context, Bird's best season saw him take around 230 attempts, which in the modern NBA is a low number for any elite shooter. Bird’s shooting percentage from beyond the arc hovered around 37.6%, quite good for his era but not quite in the stratosphere of today’s marksmen who see efficiency percentages above 40% as a benchmark for greatness.
When Ray Allen came into the league, the NBA started noticing a shift. Allen's career, spanning from 1996 to 2014, was decorated with moments of clutch three-point shooting. Who can forget Allen's game-saving three in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals? This shot not only led to the Miami Heat winning the championship but also solidified his place in NBA folklore. Allen retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made with 2,973, a record he held until Curry surpassed him in December 2021.
Players like Reggie Miller also deserve mention. His most iconic moment might be the eight points in nine seconds against the New York Knicks during the 1995 playoffs. Miller’s career 39.5% from three before retiring in 2005 shows how ahead of his time he was. Ranking with 2,560 career three-pointers, he adapted to the changing game and maintained a high shooting efficiency. By today's standards, Miller would still be considered an elite shooter, regularly outpacing his counterparts from his own era.
More recent stars such as Klay Thompson have taken three-point shooting to new heights. Thompson once scored 37 points in a single quarter and snugly fits into the Warriors dynasty alongside Curry. On January 23, 2015, Thompson made an unthinkable 9 three-pointers in that record-breaking quarter, demonstrating not just excellence but also the increased importance of the three-point shot in high-stakes moments. If Klay's hand wasn't hot that night, who knows if the Warriors would’ve achieved the same level of dominance?
A player that often gets overshadowed is Kyle Korver. With a career three-point percentage of around 42.9%, Korver is one of the most efficient shooters in NBA history. His consistency over 17 seasons is nothing short of remarkable. Korver’s contributions to teams like the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers made him a fundamental piece for their playoff runs. Though he didn't command the same attention as Curry or Allen, Korver's technical perfection made coaches take notice of his value.
The future of three-point shooting looks even more promising with players like Trae Young and Luka Dončić already making waves. Dončić, at just 24 years old, has already started to carve out a reputation for his deep threes, often drawing comparisons to Curry for his range and confidence. Young, too, puts up similar shooting numbers while carrying the offensive load for the Hawks, suggesting that the league's younger players aren't just copying past legends but innovating their own styles.
When you think about guys like James Harden, the conversation shifts to a combination of volume and efficiency. Harden's tendency to take 10+ three-point shots a game has become a signature part of his performance. Although he hovers around a 36% three-point shooting average, the sheer volume and difficulty of his shots make him one of the most feared shooters today. Harden's style of step-back threes and high-arcing shots has forced defenders to rethink their strategies, proving how the three-pointer can be used to manipulate defenses.
Kennard, with a three-point percentage of 44.8% during the 2022-2023 season, remains another modern marvel. While he may not be nailing game-winners in the playoffs yet, his precision makes him a valuable asset. Contenders eye efficient players like Kennard who can elevate any team's perimeter game. Even role players without the star power impact games with their laser-sharp shooting, cementing the importance of three-point specialists.
In recent years, the game has seen teams like the Houston Rockets embrace an extreme version of the three-point philosophy, attempting a staggering average of 45.6 three-point shots per game during the 2018-2019 season. This sea change in team strategy underlines how the value of the three-point shot has surged. It’s fascinating that just twenty years ago, taking five three-pointers in a game could be considered a lot.
All of this reveals a crucial truth about the NBA: the three-point shot isn’t just an offensive weapon; it’s a foundational aspect of the game’s evolution. As we continue to see new records shattered, new players emerging, and old legends maintaining their places in history, one thing remains clear: the three-pointer is here to stay. For more insights into this fascinating era, visit arena plus.