POLL Best Shooter in NBA History

[HammerDown]

I thought it'd be interesting to do this in the context of the now-completed NBA Finals.

 

[tlance]

Klay Thompson belongs on the list.

The edge will go to current players simply because the game is different. Teams did not know how to use the 3 point line like 20 years ago.

1 more name who I think is a better pure shooter than anyone (non-Curry division) mentioned above:

Chris Mullin

 

[RP-29]

Jayson Williams

 

[Across The Field]

How does Steve Kerr have the highest career 3pt shooting percentage (45.4%) and he's not on this list?

 

[tlance]

How does Steve Kerr have the highest career 3pt shooting percentage (45.4%) and he's not on this list?

Kerr was great. There are plenty like him in history though. Thing is, he was a catch and shoot guy. The shots he took were nowhere near as difficult as Curry's or even Miller/Allen. You can't use percentages without considering difficulty of the looks. Obviously, a star player will generate more attention from opposing defenses. Therefor, their attempts become more difficult.

 

[ericd7633]

Steph and really shouldn't be debatable.

 

[sonnyblack65]

Tom Brady

 

[Across The Field]

Kerr was great. There are plenty like him in history though. Thing is, he was a catch and shoot guy. The shots he took were nowhere near as difficult as Curry's or even Miller/Allen. You can't use percentages without considering difficulty of the looks. Obviously, a star player will generate more attention from opposing defenses. Therefor, their attempts become more difficult.

That's fair, he definitely wasn't the type to create his own shot. I just remember him being so cool from 3. He never got rattled, and his shot was textbook.

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

Steph and really shouldn't be debatable.

The numbers are closer than you think, but yes, Curry.

 

[ericd7633]

The numbers are closer than you think, but yes, Curry.

I know they're close. He's not even #1 in all-time 3 pt %. But he takes the most difficult shots. The fact that he makes over 44% of his 3's is pretty insane given the difficulty. If he was just a stand up spot shooter like alot of the guys in the top 10, my guess is that he would be over 50%.

 

[Across The Field]

I know they're close. He's not even #1 in all-time 3 pt %. But he takes the most difficult shots. The fact that he makes over 44% of his 3's is pretty insane given the difficulty. If he was just a stand up spot shooter like alot of the guys in the top 10, my guess is that he would be over 50%.

In a weird way, I'm not so sure. For some reason, I remember him missing more 3's that are just standard, open looks, at least in the Finals. He has the knack for knocking down those ones where he isn't even fully set, where he just flicks his wrist.

 

[gordontrue]

I have Larry Legend for now... but it will be Curry. Just needs a little more length to his career to pass him.

 

[RazorsEdge]

I voted for Curry even though I'm still salty about how he shit the bed in the finals.

 

[BoiseMike19]

Voted Bird. Mullin is up there, Curry too. But with 1.3 seconds left, a guy walking into your timeout and telling you are going to lose, while all are watching, walking 27 ft. out and making a mark on the floor. Then telling your coach "you don't have ANYONE that can stop it". AND THEN MAKING IT! Did this multiple times.....Yeah, it's Bird.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Steph right now but part of being the greatest shooter is doing it for a long time. A couple more years and Curry will be the best without question.

 

[Black Adam]

I voted for Curry even though I'm still salty about how he shit the bed in the finals.

same...

when he's right there IS nobody better. and I've seen some GREAT ones play...

 

[Shanemansj13]

Klay Thompson belongs on the list.

The edge will go to current players simply because the game is different. Teams did not know how to use the 3 point line like 20 years ago.

1 more name who I think is a better pure shooter than anyone (non-Curry division) mentioned above:

Chris Mullin

This ^^^ Klay is top 5 of all-time already but just needs to sustain it. He could end up 2nd of all-time, who knows. Crazy to think about that 2 guys on the same team could be one-two greatest shooters of all-time.

 

[tducey]

Larry Bird, should be Curry before all is said and done though.

 

[LogicMan]

Bird among those. Any reason MJ was not included?

 

[CitySushi]

Bird among those. Any reason MJ was not included?

MJ was a scorer. This list is purely outside shooters. Jordan was a career low 30's 3 point shooter. He hit them when it mattered, but he wasn't a shooter.