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The NBA has seen its fair share of sensational players, from high-flying dunkers to lockdown defenders, including top-of-the-line dribblers. Ball handling is a specific skill that requires hard work, dedication, and many years of practice. 

Over the years, there’s been a handful of NBA players who’ve mastered dribbling to perfection. That being said, I’ve prepared a well-detailed review of the NBA’s top 10 best ball handlers of all time. 

From the early days of the iconic Pete Maravich to the modern-day dribbling artists like Curry and Irving, the following NBA athletes have amazed many fans and left a tremendous mark on the game of basketball.

Without further ado, let’s see who are the best ball handlers of all time!

#10 – Jamal Crawford

I’m starting the list of the top 10 greatest dribblers in NBA history with the sensational ball handler—Jamal Crawford. While he played in the best basketball league in the world, Jamal was widely regarded as a player with the best crossovers. 

On numerous occasions, Crawford left NBA fans in awe with his super-fast dribbles and embarrassed many defenders throughout his career with his ball-handling moves. What made him so dangerous in the offense was that he would first hesitate, then make a crossover and either go to the basket or make a jump shot. 

Besides being known as a legendary dribbler, Crawford was one of the best sixth men in the game. He won the Sixth Man of the Year Award three times (2010, 2014, and 2016). During his 20-year career, he averaged solid numbers: 14.6 PPG, 3.4 APG, as well as 2.2 RPG. He played for numerous teams, such as the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, and many others. 

#9 – Steve Nash

Next up on the list is one of the most iconic point guards in the history of the sport—Steve Nash. He was a 2-time MVP who was known as an all-around player, and his handles were one of the finest in the NBA. 

Steve was unselfish, mostly using his dazzling dribbling skills to score and make scoring opportunities for his teammates. He used his behind-the-back dribbles to get past defenders and then make a jumper or a no-look pass to his teammates. Part of the reason he was such a high-level ball-handler is his high basketball IQ and ability to keep the ball in his hands even in the most challenging positions, like under the rim of his opponents. 

Nash used his handles to make many passes during his career, amassing 10,335 assists in 18 seasons. He ranks 5th among all-time career leaders in made assists. Regarding his overall statistics, the Canadian averaged 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 8.5 APG. Nash played for the Dallas Mavericks, the LA Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns. 

#8 – Jason Williams

Nicknamed “White Chocolate,” Jason Williams had some of the most aesthetically pleasing handles in basketball history. He was a wizard with the ball, making flashy passes regularly. His signature move was to dribble the ball behind his back so he could get past opposing defenders. 

When it comes to passes, he loved to make no-look passes and off-the-elbow ones as well. Although Williams left many fans in disbelief with his remarkable passes, he also made many turnovers due to his tendency to try to make assists worthy of highlight reels. 

In 2006, he won the NBA title with the Miami Heat and even led his team in assists in the Finals by averaging 4.7 APG.

 

Williams averaged 10.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and 5.9 APG throughout his career. 

Besides playing for the Miami Heat, he was a part of the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Orlando Magic.

#7 – Tim Hardaway

Tim Hardaway is one of the most legendary dribblers ever in the NBA. At 6’, this point guard was “breaking ankles” of players of all statures. Widely recognized for his killer crossover called the “UTEP 2 Step”, Hardaway was a nightmare for opposing defenders. 

His signature move was to dribble the ball from the left hand to the right hand or vice versa and then drive past the opponent. His speed also played a big role in successfully making the move, as he would start going in one direction and then quickly switch his movement to the other direction. 

Thanks to his crossover move, Hardaway was a prolific scorer during his playing days in the NBA. He averaged 17.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 8.2 APG throughout his career. Tim Hardaway was also a 5-time All-Star and was included in the All-NBA team 5 times. He played for teams like the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, etc. 

#6 – Chris Paul

The No.6 spot on the list of the best ball-handlers of all time goes to Chris Paul. His ability to control the ball and high basketball IQ are two significant reasons he’s an exceptional dribbler. 

Paul is a one-of-a-kind floor general who is able to keep his dribble alive and drive past even the best lockdown defenders thanks to his crossover moves. He maybe isn’t the flashiest passer in the NBA like Jason Williams perhaps, but his ability to successfully dictate the pace of the game is unparalleled. 

What also sets Paul apart from other point guards is the fact that he doesn’t have many turnovers. He has a superb 4.0 assist/turnover ratio and only a handful of players have achieved that high of a ratio. 

Throughout his career, Paul managed to average 17.7 PPG and 9.4 APG. He was the leader in steals six times and five times in assists. He played for the LA Clippers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, etc.  

#5 – Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas was one of the best point guards and best ball-handlers of all time, especially in the 80s and 90s. He was very quick, and his speed allowed him to go around defenders and then make scoring opportunities for his teammates. 

Thomas possessed superb dribbling skills and knew well how to keep the ball in his hands even in tight spaces and challenging situations. Isiah was equally capable of using both his hands when dribbling, and many defenders had a hard time guarding him. Moreover, he stayed low so he could increase his ball security, making it impossible for anyone to steal the ball from him. 

His ball-handling skills were of great help to the team he played for, the Detroit Pistons. Thomas led the “Bad Boys” from Detroit to two NBA titles, in 1989 and 1990. As for his individual accolades, he made 9,061 assists throughout his career and ranks 10th on the list of all-time career leaders in assists. Isiah averaged 19.2 points per game and 9.3 assists per game during his playing days in the NBA. 

#4 – Pete Maravich

“Pistol” Pete Maravich was one of the finest dribblers in the history of basketball. He was a true pioneer of creative and smooth dribbles. Pete had the ability to get wherever he wanted, thanks to his elite handles. He liked to use behind-the-back dribbles and crossovers to get past the defenders. Pete was also a top-of-the-line playmaker and superb passer, thanks to his high basketball IQ. The no-look pass was his trademark move. 

When it comes to his career statistics, you can see that he was a great scorer as well, since he averaged 24.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, as well as 4.2 RPG. Pete played in the All-Star game five times, and he was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Throughout his 10-year NBA career, Maravich played for the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, Utah Jazz, and the Boston Celtics. 

NBA players in today’s basketball draw inspiration from “Pistol” Pete’s moves. No one can deny the fact that Pete Maravich was one of the most influential players in the history of the NBA. 

#3 – Steph Curry

Steph Curry is one of the best players in the history of the sport. What also has to be mentioned is that he has one of the best ball handles of all time in the NBA. Even though his jumper is his trademark move, he couldn’t pull it off without his top-tier dribbling skills. Moreover, in Curry’s highlight reels, you can see that many of his shots come off the dribble, and there weren’t many players who were as efficient at that as Steph is. 

Curry has a super-fast first step, and because of his speed, he can change directions in no time. His favorite dribble is the behind-the-back move, and he rarely loses the ball when he uses it in the game. 

Curry is an expert when it comes to using his handles to make scoring opportunities, and because of that, he’s one of the best shooters in the game. He’s the all-time career leader in made 3-pointers in the NBA. Steph also won the MVP award two times and lifted the NBA trophy four times with the Golden State Warriors. 

#2 – Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson holds the No.2 spot on this list of the best ball-handlers of all time in the NBA. He had some of the craziest handles ever, and his crossover dribble was one of the most beautiful moves ever. Using that dribble, Iverson was “breaking ankles” left and right, and he even used it successfully on the GOAT, Michael Jordan. 

Iverson was feared by many defenders because of his unmatched ability to dribble past them and create numerous scoring chances. He loved attacking the rim and even made some sensational dunks during his playing days.  

Iverson’s fearless mindset, speed, and elusive handles made him a favorite among many die-hard basketball fans. 

During his career, he put up solid numbers: 26.7 points per game and 6.2 assists per game. He was the best scorer in the NBA for four seasons, a 1-time MVP,  and became a Hall of Fame inductee in 2016. The only thing Iverson didn’t win was an NBA championship since the Lakers stopped him and the 76ers in the 2001 Finals. 

#1 – Kyrie Irving

Without a doubt, the best dribbler in NBA history is Kyrie Irving. He can make any dribble imaginable to look easy, and that’s one of many reasons he’s among the best ball-handlers of all time. In addition, his ability to control the ball in tough situations, coupled with his speed, balance, and flashy moves, makes him stand out from the rest of the players on this list. 

He uses his elite handles to score and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Irving has many moves in his arsenal, and some of the most common ones he utilizes are crossovers, in-and-outs, spin moves, behind-the-backs, and many others. “Uncle Drew” loves one-on-one plays where he first uses his crossover to get past the opposing defender and then finishes the play with a fancy layup. 

Irving has won one NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he has averaged 27.1 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 3.9 RPG in those NBA Finals. He also won the Rookie of the Year in the 2011/12 season, and in that first season, he immediately showcased his potential that he’d be one of the finest dribblers ever. It’s safe to say that he fulfilled his potential. 

A sixth man is one of the most underrated players on a basketball team. While the starting lineup is oftentimes in the spotlight, players who come off the bench play an important role in the team’s overall success. A sixth man can give his team a much-needed boost in the offense and momentarily shift the momentum of the entire game.  

Many NBA teams have had notable sixth men in their lineups. So, in light of this, I’ll give you a top 10 list of the greatest NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winners in history. 

Stay tuned, and take a look at the best basketball players from the bench!

#10 – Andre Iguodala

The top 10 list of the greatest sixth men of all time starts off with Andre Iguodala. He was mostly known for his superb athleticism, explosiveness, and great defensive skills during his career. He spent the better part of his career as a starter while playing for the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers. 

However, he became a valuable player coming off the bench when he joined the Golden State Warriors. In his second season at the Warriors, 2014/15, Iguodala played a crucial role in the Finals, where he successfully guarded Lebron James. After the Warriors won the title that season, he was named the Finals MVP. Iguodala won three additional championships with the team from San Francisco. 

Iguodala averaged 11.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.2 APG throughout his career. Although he never won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, Iguodala was a team player who did everything in his power for his team to win games. 

#9 – Jason Terry

One of the best sixth men in the game of basketball is Jason Terry. Whenever he came off the bench, he always performed well and provided a much-needed spark in the offense. Terry is one of the finest 3-point shooters in NBA history, as he ranks 3rd on the all-time career leaders list in 3 points made (2,282 threes). Terry wasn’t just an elite 3-point shooter. He was quite versatile, as he could also score efficiently from midrange. 

In 19 seasons, while playing in the no.1 basketball league in the world, he averaged 13.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and 3.8 APG. His best season was 2008/09, when he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, averaging 16.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 5.2 APG. 

Terry played for numerous teams like the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, etc. While playing for the Dallas Mavericks, he was in his prime and even won an NBA championship with that team in 2011. 

#8 – Ricky Pierce

Ricky Pierce is among the most underrated players in the history of the NBA. During the 80s, Pierce’s role was simple, and he was well aware of it. Which was to score quick points off the bench. Pierce was a pure shooter, and the numbers speak for themselves: 49.5% from the field, 32.2% from beyond the arc, as well as 87.5% from the charity stripe. 

He won the Sixth Man of the Year award on two occasions, in 1987 and 1990, while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. That 1989/90 season was the best of his career since he averaged 23.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 2.3 APG in just under 30 minutes of playing time per game. 

Regarding his overall career statistics, Pierce put up 14.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Apart from playing for the Bucks, Ricky was also a part of the Detroit Pistons, Seattle Supersonics, Indiana Pacers, etc. 

#7 – Detlef Schrempf

Detlef Schrempf holds the No. 7 spot on this list of top 10 sixth men of all time. Many NBA fans in the 90s thought of Schrempf as one of the best reserves in the game. He was an all-around player who was a solid rebounder and an exceptional shooter from the midrange and beyond the 3-point line. 

Schrempf hit 49.1% of his shots from the field and 38.4% from the 3-point line. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 1990/91 and the 1991/92 season when he played for the Indiana Pacers. Detlef’s most efficient season was the 1992/93 season when he averaged 19.1 PPG and 9.5 RPG alongside 6.0 APG. 

During 17 seasons in the NBA, Detlef averaged 13.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 3.4 APG. Apart from playing in Indianapolis, Schrempf also boasted the likes of the Dallas Mavericks, Seattle Supersonics, and the Portland Trail Blazers. 

#6 – Toni Kukoc

The left-handed Croatian, Toni Kukoc, was one of the greatest players coming off the bench in NBA history. He was a European star player and the third-best scorer in the 90s Chicago Bulls team, behind MJ and Pippen. Apart from being known as a proficient scorer, his passing and rebounding abilities were more than solid. 

Toni was a valuable player for the Bulls since he always gave his team an instant boost in offense every time he came from the bench. He helped the Bulls to win three consecutive NBA titles in the 90s.  

In the 95/96 season, while playing for the Bulls, Kukoc won the Sixth Man Award while averaging 13.1. PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.5 APG. Across his NBA career, Toni averaged 11.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG. 

Besides playing for the Bulls, he also spent his days in the NBA in teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and the Milwaukee Bucks. In 2021, Kukoc became a Hall of Fame inductee. 

#5 – Lou Williams

The explosive shooting guard, Lou Williams, fills the No. 5 spot on this list of the best scorers coming off the bench. No wonder Lou was a scoring machine since he learned the art of shooting thanks to his teammate from the 76ers, Allen Iverson. 

His ability to make shots off the bench is unparalleled, and his tenacious playing style helped him greatly to become dangerous on the offense. Lou won the Sixth Man of the Year award three times (2015, 2018, and 2019). He and Jamal Crawford have the same amount of 6th Man awards in the history of the NBA. 

Lou’s best season of his 17-year career was 2017/18, when he put up some impressive numbers: 22.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 5.3 APG. Regarding his overall numbers in the NBA, Williams averaged 13.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 3.4 APG. Williams is the no.1 player in NBA history in career points off the bench, with 13,396.  

He played for many teams, such as the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, etc. Williams has cemented his legacy as one of the best reserves ever to play the game thanks to his scoring abilities and being an impactful player coming off the bench. 

#4 – Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford is considered one of the best pure shooters coming off the bench, and his skill set made him a truly formidable force in the offense. His ball-handling skills and lightning-fast speed earned him the nickname “ J Crossover.” Jamal won three Sixth Man of the Year awards (2010, 2014, and 2016) thanks to having a tremendous ability to impact the game and putting up numerous clutch performances. 

The numbers he averaged throughout his career back up the fact that he was an elite bench player. Jamal has averaged 14.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 3.4 APG across the 20 years he has played in the best basketball league in the world. 

His best season by far was 2013/14 when he was a part of the LA Clippers. He put up these numbers: 18.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and 3.2 APG. Crawford is also the 2nd player in history when it comes to scoring off the bench (11,279). 

Jamal played for many teams during his time in the NBA, including the LA Clippers, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, etc. 

He truly deserves to be a part of this list mainly because of his longevity and ability to perform on a high level throughout his entire NBA career. 

#3 – Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili was one of the finest all-around players and an incredible sixth man. His unique move, the Eurostep, is used by many players in today’s basketball. 

Ginobili’s one-of-a-kind ability to make shots and his clutch performances played a great role in the success of the San Antonio Spurs. He, Duncan, and Parker were a trio like no other, and they took the league by storm. Together they won four NBA championships (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014). Ginobili wasn’t just a prolific scorer. He was a sensational defender known for relentlessness on both sides of the court.  

Manu won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in the 2007/08 season, averaging 19.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 1.5 SPG. While playing for the Spurs his whole career, the Argentinian averaged 13.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 3.8 APG. 

#2 – John Havlicek

John Havlicek, a Boston Celtics legend, takes the No. 2 spot on the list of the top 10 greatest NBA sixth men of the Year in history. Although he became a starter later in his career, Havlicek spent his first seven years in the NBA as a bench player. 

His high basketball IQ and defensive prowess made him a crucial player for his team. Moreover, he possessed fascinating athleticism and was famous for his high level of hustle on the court. Havlicek was a top-tier defender who made the All-Defensive team 8 times. 

With the Boston Celtics, John Havlicek won 8 NBA titles throughout his career. Also, he was the 1973/1974 Finals MVP when he averaged 26.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG. This Hall of Famer averaged 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 4.8 APG during his playing days in the NBA. 

If there had been a Sixth Man award back in the 60s and 70s, Havlicek would’ve won it multiple times. 

#1 – Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale is the greatest NBA sixth man of the Year in the history of NBA basketball. He was a dominant force as a bench player for the Boston Celtics in the 80s. Despite the fact that McHale was a starter at the beginning of his career, he later became a bench player who provided a much-needed spark in the offense. 

His moves in the paint and incredible footwork made McHale a nightmare for opposing teams. He was a versatile player who was equally good on both sides of the court.  

McHale won three NBA titles with Robert Parish, Larry Bird, and the rest of the incredible 80s Boston Celtics (1981, 1984, and 1986). McHale won the Sixth Man Award in 1984 and 1985.

Throughout his illustrious career, he averaged 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.7 APG.  

McHale was one of the most impactful and influential sixth men of his era, who set the standard for many upcoming bench players. 

Putting the orange ball into the hoop is what the game of basketball is all about. Although the concept of shooting is pretty straightforward, it is a skill that is quite complex to master. In addition, many players use different techniques to shoot the ball. For instance, players like Ray Allen and Dirk Nowitzki share no similarities in their shooting style, but both are considered masters of shooting the basketball. 

In this article, I’ll focus on the top ten shooters in the history of the NBA and rank them based on their accomplishments, statistics, and how their shooting style changed how players today put the ball into the white net. 

Stay tuned and discover who the best shooters ever are to grace the basketball court!

#10 – Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr wasn’t just one of the greatest shooters in basketball history. He’s also a coach and a mentor to two elite shooters on this list. Kerr is the leader in all-time career 3-Pt percentage (45.4%) in NBA history. This isn’t the only impressive record that Kerr has on his resume. He also holds two of the top five 3-point shooting percentages in a single season in the NBA. He shot 52.4% from beyond the arc in the 1994/95 season and 51.5% in the next season. 

Despite the fact the NBA experimented by implementing a shorter 3-point line in those two seasons, no one can deny Kerr’s shooting prowess. Apart from his individual accomplishments, he won 5 NBA championships in total, 4 of them with the Bulls and 1 with the Spurs. 

Throughout his career, Kerr proved to be a clutch shooter in numerous games. His most memorable clutch shot was hitting a winning 17-foot 3-pointer in the final moments of Game 6 versus the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Finals, leading the Bulls to an NBA title. Because of Kerr’s achievements and shooting precision, he deserves to be in the top 10 NBA shooters ever. 

#9 – Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best shooting big men who ever stepped onto an NBA court. Standing at 7 feet, he was unguardable and could make 3-pointers from the most challenging positions on the court. What’s even more impressive about his shooting is that he could knock down three-pointers with an exceptionally high shooting arc. 

Nowitzki revolutionized the game and influenced many big men to start shooting beyond the arc more frequently. Nowitzki is the reason why players like Jokić, Porzingis, and Embiid pull up from deep to make 3-pointers. Moreover, his legendary one-legged fadeaway move is often used by many players today in basketball, with the best example being Lebron James. 

Dirk wasn’t just a great long-range shooter, and the numbers speak for themselves. Beyond the 3-point line, he shot with 38.0% accuracy. Dirk’s field goal percentage was 47.1%, while his career average from the free-throw line was 87.9%. His best season was 2006/07 when he was the MVP of the league and a rare player who managed to average 50% from the field, 40% beyond the 3-point line, and 90% from the free-throw line in a single season. Only nine players in NBA history have done that. 

However, Dirk’s greatest accomplishment was winning an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.  

#8 – Steve Nash

One of the best point guards in NBA history, Steve Nash, was a highly efficient player. Nash won two MVP awards and was the engine of the Phoenix Suns as well as the Dallas Mavericks in the 2000s. 

While some fans think that Nash didn’t deserve to win those two MVP awards, no one can say he wasn’t a superb shooter. In his prime, Nash had four 50-40-90 seasons and almost had five, but he averaged 89.9% from the free-throw line in 2006/07, missing the free-throw mark by a narrow 0.01%. 

Perhaps Nash’s only weakness as a shooter is that he didn’t attempt enough shots as he should’ve. Across his career, his 3-point shooting percentage was 42.8%, but he only attempted 3.2 3-pointers on average. Even though his shot volume is low, only a few shooters on this list were as accurate as Steve Nash. 

Apart from being a precise 3-point shooter, Nash is the 2nd all-time NBA career leader in free-throw percentage with 90.43%. 

#7 – Kyle Korver

One of the greatest catch-and-shoot scorers in the game, Kyle Korver, holds the no.7 spot on this list of the top 10 shooters in NBA history. He was a role player and a top-notch 3-point shooter throughout his career. Korver made 2450 3-pointers in 17 seasons in the NBA, and he’s 5th player on the all-time NBA career 3-Pt Field Goals list.

Korver’s 3-point shooting precision was impressive since he had a 42.9 percent during his career. His best season was 2014/15, when he had a 49.2 3-Pt% and an 89.9 free-throw percentage. But that season wasn’t even his best when you look at the 3-point percentage. In 2009/10, Korver hit 53.6% of all the threes he attempted while playing for the Utah Jazz.

The key to Korver’s success as a shooter is that he constantly analyzed his shots and adjusted his shooting.

Even though Kyle Korver wasn’t a superstar, like some other players on this list, he surely deserves a spot in the hall of basketball’s finest shooters. 

#6 – Kevin Durant

Standing at 6’ 11”, Kevin Durant is among the best shooting big men in the NBA. He’s also one of the toughest players to guard, thanks to his size, shooting ability, and athleticism. Overall, he’s a fantastic player, but when we talk about his skills as a shooter, he’s one of the greatest in NBA history. Durant can make shots at any time, thanks to his elite ball-handling skills. Also, his quick release and high shooting arc are a nightmare for many defenders who try to guard him.  

His shooting statistics are impressive: almost 39% from beyond the arc, over 50% from the field, and nearly 89% from the free-throw line. When you look at that shooting percentage from midrange, it’s safe to say that Durant is one of the greatest shooters from the field. In addition, his pull-up jump shot is probably among the most recognizable signature moves in the league. 

Durant has proved to be a high-level marksman in many crucial games during his career. For instance, he hit several iconic 3-pointers in the final moments of the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals against the Cavaliers. He was the MVP in those two finals. 

#5 – Reggie Miller

During the 90s and mid-2000s, Reggie Miller was considered the best shooter in the NBA. He played in an era where high-volume 3-point shooting, like today’s basketball, wasn’t a regular occurrence. 

Miller only made 4.7 attempts per game when it comes to 3-pointers, and who knows how good he would be if he attempted to make more 3-pointers like many players today do. Nevertheless, even with low volume, he still managed to make 2,560 3s over the course of his career. He was the all-time leader in 3-pointers before players like Allen and Curry came along. 

In almost two decades that he spent playing in the NBA, Miller averaged the following percentages: 47.1 FG%, 39.5 FG3%, and 88.8 FT%. What’s also fascinating regarding his shooting precision is that he averaged a minimum of 40% from beyond the arc for ten seasons. Miller’s shooting abilities also made him part of the 50-40-90 club. 

Although many NBA fans remember Reggie as an elite shooter, he was also excellent at trash-talking. 

#4 – Larry Bird

Bird is one of the greatest all-around shooters in NBA history. It didn’t matter where Bird was on the court. He could make shots from basically any position. 

Throughout his illustrious career, he had a 49.6 field goal percentage, 37.6 3-point percentage, as well as 88.6 percentage from the charity stripe. He shot with a 40% accuracy from the deep for six seasons. Bird has amassed many accolades during his career. He won three NBA titles, two MVP awards, and also 3 Three-Point shooting contests. 

Throughout the 13 seasons he spent in the NBA, Bird only had 1.9 3-point attempts per game, which is extremely low when players today attempt 6 or 7 3-pointers per game. However, Bird played in the 80s, when teams focused more on playing in the paint and draining midrange shots. 

His shooting ability was shown on numerous occasions during his playing days. One of them was that he used his non-dominant hand on purpose against the Trail Blazers and scored 47 points. 

#3 – Ray Allen

Ray Allen fills the No.3 spot on this list of the best shooters ever in the NBA. Before the “Splash Brothers” started playing in the NBA, Allen was considered the greatest shooter in the league. He was mostly known for his lightning-fast release and outstanding jump shot. 

Allen played in the NBA for nearly two decades, and in that period, he made 2,973 threes and was the all-time leader in career 3-pointers before Curry surpassed him. During his time in the NBA, he averaged 40% beyond the 3-point line, and in 8 seasons, he connected on more than 40% of his attempts. Allen wasn’t only a talented shooter. He was also very disciplined. His pre-game routine was to take 300 shots from all positions on the court. 

When you look at Allen’s statistics, they’re even more fascinating since he wasn’t the leading player in any of the teams he was a part of. He was primarily a role player. Ray Allen did attempt 5.7 threes per game, but he didn’t have the ball in his hands most of the time like Steph or Durant, for example. It’s hard to imagine how good he could’ve become if he hadn’t been primarily a three-point specialist and had been given more freedom to make shots throughout his playing days. 

However, his teammates did pass him the ball in crucial times. Allen’s most clutch moment was when he shot the tying 3-pointer in the 2013 NBA Finals against the Spurs. 

#2 – Klay Thompson

The 2nd player on the list of the top 10 shooters in NBA history is one of the “Splash Brothers,” Klay Thompson. He and Curry are undoubtedly the finest shooting backcourt duo who’s ever played in the NBA. 

Thompson holds the record for the most made 3-pointers in an NBA game—14. He broke Curry’s previous record of 13 threes. What’s also great about that record is that he managed to hit that many 3s in just 29 minutes. Besides making 14 3-pointers, Klay also made 12 threes on two separate occasions. 

Curry might be a better all-around shooter, but it’s game over for the opposing teams when Klay finds his rhythm. The best example was when he scored 11 3-pointers against OKC in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. 

Regarding his shooting percentages, from the 3-point line, Thompson shot just under 42%, over 45% from the field, and over 85% from the free-throw line. Klay made over 2000 threes over the course of his career, and he’s in the top 10 list of NBA’s all-time career leaders in 3-point field goals. 

#1 – Steph Curry

Steph Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history, and that’s not even up for debate. In 2021, Curry dethroned Allen and became the new 3-point King of the NBA. 

Curry can produce shots from basically anywhere. It doesn’t matter if he goes for an off-the-dribble shot or a 3-pointer from the center of the court. It’s going into the hoop. 

Over the course of his career, Curry made over 3,500 3-pointers with an almost 43% shooting accuracy from behind the arc. When you look at his shot volume of over nine 3-point attempts per game, that shooting percentage is more than impressive. In addition, Curry isn’t only an elite 3-point shooter. He can also make mid-range shots, jump shots, and floaters. 

Besides having the most threes in NBA history, Curry holds additional records. He has the most threes made in one NBA season, with 402 in the 2015/16 season. Also, he’s the all-time leader in free-throw percentage, shooting almost 91% from the charity stripe. 

Curry has simply revolutionized how basketball is played today since more and more players have become more confident in their 3-point shooting, thanks to Steph.