In the modern NBA, the three-point shot is not just a part of the game; it is the game. The evolution of basketball strategy over the past few decades has been a story of a relentless march beyond the arc, a revolution that has fundamentally changed how teams are built, how offenses are run, and how players are valued. At the forefront of this revolution have been a select few players whose skill, range, and sheer audacity with the long ball have redefined what is possible on a basketball court.
To be among the top five all-time leaders in three-pointers made is to be more than just a great shooter; it is to be a true pioneer, an innovator who left an indelible mark on the sport. This deep-dive analysis explores the legacies of the five men who have climbed to the pinnacle of basketball’s most game-changing skill.
1. The Revolution: Stephen Curry
No player in the history of basketball has had a more profound impact on the art of shooting than Stephen Curry. He is not just the all-time leader in three-pointers made; he is the man who single-handedly broke the game. Before Curry, the three-point shot was a valuable weapon. In his hands, it became the primary offensive system. His ability to shoot with unparalleled accuracy from limitless range, both off the dribble and off the catch, completely warped the geometry of the court. Defenses were forced to guard him as soon as he crossed half-court, creating unprecedented spacing and opportunities for his teammates.
What makes Curry so unique is the combination of volume, efficiency, and degree of difficulty. He doesn’t just make a lot of threes; he makes difficult, contested, off-the-dribble threes at a rate that defies logic. He led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships, building a dynasty that was fueled by his revolutionary offensive talent. He made it not only acceptable but desirable for players to pull up from 30 feet. Every young player in the world today who practices step-back threes from the logo is living in the basketball universe that Stephen Curry created. He is, without question, the greatest shooter the sport has ever seen, a true paradigm-shifting figure whose influence will be felt for generations.
2. The Purest Form: Ray Allen
Before Stephen Curry rewrote the record books, the undisputed king of the three-point shot was Ray Allen. For years, he was the standard-bearer for elite long-range shooting, and he held the all-time record for over a decade. Allen’s greatness was built on a foundation of technical perfection and relentless preparation. His shooting form was a work of art—a quick, high, and perfectly repeatable release that looked the same on his first shot as it did on his last. He was the ultimate professional, a player whose obsessive work ethic and dedication to his craft were legendary.
Allen was more than just a spot-up shooter; he was a master of movement without the ball, constantly running off screens to create a sliver of space for his lightning-quick release. He won two NBA championships in his career, and his most iconic moment came in the 2013 NBA Finals. With his Miami Heat just seconds away from elimination, he backpedaled to the corner and drilled a game-tying three-pointer that is widely considered one of the most clutch shots in the history of the sport. While he has since been surpassed on the all-time list, Ray Allen remains the gold standard for shooting purity and a vital bridge between the old school and the modern three-point era.
3. The Step-Back King: James Harden
While Curry changed the game with his range and Allen with his pure form, James Harden revolutionized shooting with a single, unguardable move: the step-back three. During his prime with the Houston Rockets, Harden weaponized this move to a degree never seen before, transforming it into the centerpiece of one of the most prolific offensive careers in NBA history. The beauty of Harden’s step-back was in its devastating simplicity. He would use his strength to drive towards the basket, forcing his defender to retreat, and then in one fluid motion, he would plant his foot, create a massive amount of separation, and rise up for an uncontested three-pointer.
This move, combined with his elite ability to draw fouls, made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He was an isolation artist who could generate a high-quality shot for himself at will, without needing screens or intricate offensive sets. This allowed him to lead the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons and win an MVP award in 2018. While his style has been polarizing at times, there is no denying his impact. He pushed the boundaries of what was possible in one-on-one offense and created a signature shot that has been emulated by players at every level of the game.
4. The Original Sharpshooter: Reggie Miller
In an era when the three-point shot was still seen as something of a gimmick by many, Reggie Miller was its first true superstar villain. For 18 seasons, all with the Indiana Pacers, he was one of the most feared and clutch shooters in the league. Miller was a master of psychological warfare, a notorious trash-talker who thrived in hostile environments and lived for the high-pressure moments. His slender frame belied a fierce competitive fire, and his ability to hit game-winning shots in the most critical situations became his trademark.
His legendary performance in the 1995 Eastern Conference Playoffs, where he scored an incredible eight points in just nine seconds to steal a victory against the rival New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, is one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. He was a pioneer, a player who demonstrated that the three-point shot could be a team’s primary weapon long before it was fashionable. He was the original long-range assassin, a player whose clutch shooting and theatrical flair paved the way for all the great shooters who would follow.
5. The Logo Lillard: Redefining Deep Range
Rounding out the top five is a player who has taken the concept of deep shooting to its logical extreme: Damian Lillard. While Stephen Curry popularized the long-range three, Lillard has made the shot from the half-court logo his own personal territory. His ability to comfortably and accurately shoot from 35-40 feet away is a unique and devastating weapon. This incredible range forces defenses to extend far beyond their normal limits, creating massive driving lanes for himself and his teammates.
Lillard’s career is defined by his legendary clutch moments, earning him the nickname “Dame Time.” He is one of the few players in NBA history to have hit multiple series-ending, walk-off buzzer-beaters in the playoffs. His iconic wave goodbye to the Oklahoma City Thunder after hitting a 37-foot shot to win a playoff series is a moment that will live on in NBA lore forever. He is a testament to the idea that in the modern NBA, there is no such thing as a bad shot if you have the talent and the confidence to make it. Lillard has pushed the boundaries of what is considered a makeable shot, solidifying his place among the greatest long-range shooters the game has ever seen.
