NBA
Who is the best shooter of all time in the NBA?
Stephen Curry is the best shooter of all-time. His shooting efficiency, range and accuracy have revolutionized the basketball game. Moreover, Curry’s moves are jaw-dropping and relishes a signature jumper that stands out as his trademark.
Stephen Curry//Getty Images
In the NBA, shooting is a deceptively complicated act, yet paradoxical, because putting the basketball through the white net may be perceived as simple and universal. Being the greatest or most explosive athlete, possessing the capability to throw down thrilling dunks, and manoeuvring past defenders off the dribble are acts worth a spectacle. However, shooting triggers the climax-moment for every basketball team.
The history of NBA is imprinted with great shooters, a majority of whom, have displayed wild shooting tactics and aesthetically pleasing forms that have positioned them as the GOAT shooters in NBA. The umbrella of the best NBA shooters of all time encompasses a blend of legendary players from different eras. There is Dennis Scott, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Larry Bird, and Stephen Curry, among others.
Steph Curry: The 3-Point King
The aforementioned names are undoubtedly etched into the hearts and minds of many NBA fans, owing to their contribution to the growth and evolution of shooting in today’s game. However, none has raised the bar high, to the level of the all-time 3-point king, Steph Curry.
Steph Curry is a four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and all-time leader in three-pointers (3, 747) and three-point attempts (8,805). He remains the only player in NBA history to achieve more than 400 threes in a single season, having made 402 in the 2015-16 season. Curry’s record surpasses the only two other players, Klay Thompson and James Harden, who have surpassed 300 threes in a single season.
Curry has dissipated every 3-point shooting record that existed before him, impulsively making him the greatest shooter in NBA history. His unmatched ability to shoot with distance, flair and accuracy has not only transfigured the game of basketball but also changed the shape of grassroots hoops. In essence, Steph Curry has flouted every shooting statistic, particularly in the efficiency domain.
Dell Curry, Steph’s father, was a great NBA shooter. He mentored and motivated Steph by putting him through intense training, which influenced where he is today.
Curry’s Revolutionary Shooting Tactics
Steph Curry has proved un-guardable; he has maintained this momentum throughout his career. Defenders have explored different strategies to counter Curry’s revolutionary shooting tactics. However, their efforts always proof futile since they only manage to chase him behind the 3-point line.
Before Steph appeared in the NBA scene, the most popular shot was the mid-range jumper. This gave the offensive player leverage on the defender, whose central priority was protecting the basket. Both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant unleashed this move naturally, rendering it a signature move for every other player. Steph came into the game with an unseen tactic of draining long range threes that caught the opposition by surprise and unprepared to counter.
Single-handedly, Curry altered the defense structure and tactics. He needed to be guarded as soon as he moved past half court. His ability to score from any spot on the court rendered him a major threat to defenders, leading to many wide open layups and over commitment to his shots.
In 2015 NBA finals, Matthew Dellavadova, from Cleveland Cavaliers, executed the sole role of guarding Steph Curry. Although Dellavadova performed outstandingly, he was physically drained and drenched in sweat at the end of every game. On the contrary, Steph looked unstrained and fine. Dellavedova was successful in defending against Curry but the 3-point king still led the Warriors in points per game, with a record of 26, six assists and five rebounds.
Undoubtedly, Steph Curry has maintained one of the greatest NBA careers of all time. In addition to being the first-ever unanimous MVP, 4-time NBA champion, 10-time All Star and all NBA and a finals MVP, Curry is the greatest shooter ever. He is a unique player in NBA history, given his remarkable trademark in three-point shots.
He has maintained unbeatable handles and stayed in perpetual motion. His comparatives like Kevin Durant, Dennis Scott, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller and Ray Allen are equally ranked as great shooters, however, Curry has made shooting transformative. The degree of difficulty and the distance he maintains in his tactics sets him apart. With or without the ball, Curry still outperforms other players. In a nutshell, there can never be an all-time three-point list devoid of Steph Curry’s name.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.