Let’s be real—if this list included Steph Curry, it would be an article about ranking the second-best shooter ever. And while that’s fun, it’s also kind of obvious.
So instead, let’s take Steph out of the conversation (just this once, we promise) and appreciate the other legendary snipers who made defenders sweat, stretch defenses to their limits, and leave fans in awe. Here are the 15 best shooters in NBA history—without the cheat code that is Stephen Curry.
15. Steve Kerr
Before he was coaching the Warriors to titles, Kerr was drilling threes at an absurd rate, especially with the Bulls. If you left him open, the ball was going in. Simple as that.
14. Peja Stojaković
Peja had one of the smoothest strokes in NBA history and was a nightmare matchup during the Kings’ early-2000s glory days. Defenses had no clue how to handle his range.
13. Chris Mullin
Mullin’s mid-range and three-point game were so pure it looked like it was designed in a lab. He wasn’t flashy—just effective.
12. Dirk Nowitzki
Yes, he’s mostly remembered for his ridiculous mid-range and post-game, but let’s not forget—Dirk could bomb from deep, too. He was a seven-footer shooting like a guard, which wasn’t fair for anyone in his era.
11. Damian Lillard
If clutch shooting counted extra, Dame might rank even higher. He pulls up from the logo with the confidence of a guy who’s about to win the game (because he usually does).
10. Kevin Durant
KD is basically a cheat code. A nearly seven-foot sniper with elite off-the-dribble shooting, he makes jumpers look effortless. You can play perfect defense, and it just won’t matter.
9. Larry Bird
Bird didn’t shoot as many threes as today’s players, but when he did, they were automatic. He even walked into the locker room before a Three-Point Contest and asked his competition, “Which one of y’all is coming in second?” You gotta respect it.
8. Klay Thompson
Klay doesn’t need the ball in his hands for long—he just needs a sliver of space. When he gets hot, it’s over for the other team. Just ask the Chicago Bulls, who watched him drain 14 threes in a game.
7. Kyle Korver
If your favorite team needed a specialist, Korver was their dream signing. You knew what he was going to do—and still, nobody could stop it.
6. Ray Allen
That Game 6 three-pointer in the 2013 Finals? One of the biggest shots in NBA history. Ray’s mechanics were picture-perfect, and his work ethic made him one of the most feared shooters ever.
5. Steve Nash
Nash was so busy dropping dimes that he didn’t take as many threes as he could have. But when he did? Cash money.
4. Reggie Miller
Reggie was the king of big moments. His trash talk was legendary, but his three-point shooting was even better. He lived to silence crowds.
3. Dražen Petrović
A European pioneer in the NBA, Petrović was ahead of his time. His three-point percentage in his final season? 44.9%. Unreal.
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2. Mark Price
One of the most underrated shooters ever, Price was a maestro from deep, and his free-throw shooting was elite, too.
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1. Glen Rice
Rice was pure flames when he got going. His ability to light it up from deep in an era that didn’t prioritize threes makes him one of the greats.
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