Welcome back to the "Greatest Ever" series as we continue with the rankings of the greatest shooters in the NBA History. Shooting is one of the most important aspects of the game of basketball.
They're more than capable players who can find the bottom of the net from anywhere on the court. They can get their shot of regardless is there a defender on them or not.
Again, they also excel in all situations like off dribble, catch and shot etc. Having a guy such as this, it's always helpful because they came up big when you need them most and so on.
It's an art form to watch a great shooter to go in work. These kind of players can connect on variety of shots and beat their defenders in dozens of ways.
The highest honor for a shooter can be joining the 50/40/90 club. It's perhaps the biggest recognition for a player that has nice shooting skills, as only the most elite are in there.
This means that one player is capable of hitting at least 50 percent from field, 40 percent from behind the arc and 90 percent from the charity stripe
Without further ado, here are the greatest shooters in NBA history!
15.Drazen Petrovic
Two-Point Percentage: .520
Three-Point Percentage: .437
Free-Throw Percentage: .841
Points Per Game: 15.4
Career Field Goal Percentage:50.6
Career Attempts:5.9/11.6
The first great European player to play in the NBA, Drazen Petrovic was one of the game's greatest shooters of all time. He was a world class one.
Petro was a sharp shooter who could find the bottom of the net from anywhere. He relied on screens to get open looks, but he could also create his own jumper, hit off the dribble, was terrific in catch and shot etc.
Drazen had terrific range on his shots. He was excellent from mid range, where he shot above 50% percent for his career. Only few have matched that.
He was a lethal threat at beyond the arc too. Petrovic consistently was among the leaders in three point percentage. He's also among the top 5 leaders in that category.
He was also good at the charity. His efficiency was simply off the charts. Drazen had over 50% field goal percentage in an era where the average was around 44% percent.
His excellence as a shooter was undeniable. This is why he was guarded pretty close. He was so great! It's a shame that he lost his life too early.
14.Peja Stojakovic
Career Two Point Percentage:48.4
Career Three Point Percentage:40.1
Career Free Throw Percentage:89.5
Career Field Goal Percentage:45.0
Career Attempts Per Game:6.0/13.3
Career Points Per Game:17.0
The second international player on the list who's a 6'9 swingman with amazing shooting ability, Peja Stojakovic is one of the greatest shooters in the NBA History.
He's a terrific threat from just about anywhere, as he could hit nothing but net easily. He was the purest international shooter to come in the league ever.
Peja was excellent in many situations. He gets free locks because he uses the screens well, is terrific in the catch and shot, can create a space for himself etc.
He in particular was known for his outside shooting. Stojakovic ranks fourth on the all time lists in most three pointers made. He made it look so easy that it forced people to call them "Serbian lay ups".
His percentage is outstanding. Also, Predrag was deadly at the charity where he shot 89.5% percentage for his career. He was great from mid range as well, as he has connected on 48.4% on his attempts.
He won two consecutive All-Star Three Point Shootout Contests as well, led the league twice in free throw percent etc. In his prime, he averaged 24.2 points, 48.0% field goal, 43.3% three point and 92.7% free throw percentage. That's awesome.
13.Alex English
Career Two-Point Percentage: 50.8
Career Three-Point Percentage: 21.7
Career Free-Throw Percentage: 83.2
Career Field Goal Percentage:50.7
Career Points Per Game: 21.5
Career Attempts Per Game:8.9/17.6
An underrated legend who was the most devastating scorer during an extremely tough era, Alex English was one of the best shooters in the NBA History.
He was terrific in this regard. He possessed a quick, accurate and fully extended release that made his jump shot very pure. He was so effective because of this.
Alex had great range on his shots, as he could find the bottom of the net from just about anywhere inside the three point line. He was a respectable outside shooter too, but he didn't make threes part of his game.
English could connect on variety of shots, as he was capable to create for himself, get off the dribble, was terrific in the catch and shot, was good in the open looks etc.
He was a nightmare for his opponents. Few could have contested his shot well, and he made them pay. He averaged 50.7% field goal percentage is amazing, as he was guarded pretty tight.
Additionally he averaged 25.9 points on 51% field goal percent! He was such an amazing shooter!
12.Bill Sharman
Career Two-Point Percentage: 42.6
Career Free-Throw Percentage: 88.3
Career Points Per Game: 17.8
Career Field Goal Percentage:42.6
Career Attempts Per Game:6.7/15.7
On paper, the stats aren't exactly a great supporter to prove Bill Sharman's ability as a shooter. However, his greatness is beyond some statistics and he's a legend in this regard.
He was the game's first great pure shooter who had a terrific and quick release. He was a text book shooter, as there wasn't better at the time in this aspect.
Bill was one of the rare players that pushed his field goal percentage above 40% percent. His impact on his teams was huge because of his ability to shot.
Sharman was quite efficient for his era. He ranked consistently among the league leaders in field goal percent, as he once finish second in a season. However, he was truly deadly at the charity.
He shot 88.3% percentage for his career, which ranks in the top 10. What makes it even more impressive, he led seven record times in highest free throw percent and with the top mark being 93.2% .
That's off the charts when the average was shooting around 72% percent. Sharman's truly an all time great in this aspect.
11.Bob McAdoo
Career Two-Point Percentage:50.4
Career Free Throw Percentage:75.4
Career Field Goal Percentage:50.3
Career Points Per Game:22.1
Career Attempts Per Game:8.7/17.3
A big man who possessed soft touch and was like a guard in a body of a big man, Bob McAdoo is one of the game's greatest shooters of all time.
He could find the bottom of the net from pretty much everywhere. He could create his own jumper, was excellent in the catch and shot, was great off the dribble etc.
Bob possessed a deadly mid range game, who was real effective as a perimeter threat. Despite playing most of the time far from the rim, he shot over 50.4% percent from distance and was known for his 22 footers too.
His range was great. McAdoo was excellent three point shooter, but the line wasn't adopt by the league through the better part of his career.
McAdoo's efficiency was among the finest ever. He averaged 22 points on 50.7% field goal percentage, which is quite amazing. In his prime he averaged 32.1 points on 50.9% percent from field.
That's phenomenal. He was such a great shooter!
10.Michael Jordan
Career Two-Point Percentage:51.0
Career Three-Point Percentage:32.7
Career Free-Throw Percentage:83.5
Career Points Per Game: 30.1
Career Field Goal Percentage:49.7
Career Attempts Per Game:11.4/22.9
There's a wrong opinion among the young generation of NBA fans that, Michael Jordan wasn't an elite shooter. That's completely wrong because Mike was one of the greatest shooters of all time.
When he came in the league, he wasn't in particular an outside threat. However, he worked long hours in the gym and he became much more consistent and better in this aspect of the game.
Michael possessed one of the most lethal mid range games ever. He could hit nothing but net easily. He connected on variety of shots and his go to move, the fade away, was tough to stop.
Additionally, Jordan could create his own jumper, get off the dribble, was terrific in the catch and shot etc. His excellence as a shooter was obvious.
He played like Ray Allen on many nights, and faced incredibly great defenders and team defenses that were ready to contain him. Only few have faced that kind of an attention.
Jordan consistently was shooting above 50% percent while scoring over 30 points and winning the scoring crowns as the top scorer in the league.
He's underrated in this regard but he was such a threat!
9.Steve Nash
Career Two-Point Percentage:55.6
Career Three Point Percentage:42.9
Career Free Throw Percentage:90.4
Career Field Goal Percentage:48.9
Career Attempts Per Game:5.3/10.8
Career Points Per Game:14.6
One of the game's biggest overachievers who emerged as a terrific point guard in his late pro years, Steve Nash is one of the greatest shooters to step on a NBA hardwood.
He's a sharp shooter who can find the bottom of the net easily. He's such a threat. He can create for himself, is excellent off the dribble, is great in the catch and shot etc.
Steve is excellent from pretty much everywhere. He's got one of the most lethal mid range games ever. He has shot over 55% percent in his career, which is by far the best ever.
Additionally, Nash is one of the finest three point shooters of all time. He ranks eight on the all time list in three point percentage, which is a fantastic feat.
Also, he's the most elite free throw shooter to play the game. His free throw percentage of 90.4% is second to none. He's nearly automatic at the charity and he led the league twice in it.
8.George Gervin
Career Two-Point Percentage: 50.9
Career Three-Point Percentage: 27.1
Career Free-Throw Percentage: 84.1
Career Points Per Game: 25.1
Career Field Goal Percentage: 50.4
Career Attempts Per Game: 9.8/19.4
When you're called the "Iceman" for being such a pure shooting threat and for his capability to deliver on all kind of shots, you must be great.
And there's no doubt at all, that George Gervin is one of the greatest shooters of all time. He could find the bottom of the net from just about anywhere.
He had a terrific silky smooth game, which is why he was arguably the most lethal shooter from mid range. He connected on nearly 51% on his attempts. Quite amazing.
George was also above average in terms of making threes. He didn't make it part of his arsenal though, because the three pointers were not popular back than.
His explosiveness, soft touch and ability to get in rhythm made him so phenomenal. His jump shot was among the purest ever. He was a mismatch because of that.
Gervin made tough shots look like shooting free throws. That's why his efficiency was off the charts and he always got himself in effective positions.
Overall, the Iceman was a legend in this aspect of basketball.
7.Rick Barry
Career Two-Point Percentage: 46.0
Career Three-Point Percentage: 29.7
Career Free-Throw Percentage: 89.3
Career Points Per Game: 24.8
Career Field Goal Percentage: 45.6
Career Attempts Per Game:9.5/20.9
Although he was a douche whose temper was questionable, Rick Barry's talent for basketball was undeniable. He was one of the greatest shooters in the league's history.
He provided on variety of shots. As an excellent threat, he could create his own jumper, was excellent in the catch and shot, got off the dribble well, spot up jumpers, wide open and so on.
Rick was such a threat, as he could find the bottom of the net easily from just about everywhere. He was guarded pretty close because of his ability.
However, that barely slowed him. Barry was deadly from mid range, where he made 46% percentage of his attempts. He was above average as a three point shooter, but unfortunately he played in years when there wasn't a three point line.
Nonetheless, he was a lethal outside threat throughout his career, especially in the later years. He possessed one of the purest shots of all time, which is why he was excellent.
Speaking of excellence, he was one of the greatest free throw shooters ever. His combined lifetime percentage of 89.3% percent is sixth best ever. His NBA percent only of 90.0 is ranked as the third highest!
Impressive, isn't it? It sure is, even though he had a weird routine at the line. Regardless of that, Barry was a legendary shooter!
6.Chris Mullin
Two-Point Percentage: 53.3
Three-Point Percentage: 38.4
Free-Throw Percentage: 86.5
Career Points Per Game: 18.2
Career Field Goal Percentage: 50.9
Career Attempts Per Game:6.8/13.4
He wasn't fast, strong, athletic or something. He wasn't physically gifted. He didn't even worked to add muscle to his frame. But boy, he was such a nightmare for every defender.
There's no doubt at all, that the newest member of the basketball Hall Of Fame, Chris Mullin was one of the greatest shooters in the NBA History.
He was a hard worker, who consistently put in hours and hours to elevate his shooting. He could hit nothing but net easily from just about anywhere.
Chris had one of the finest mid range games ever. To prove you that, i'll illustrate the fact that he shot over 53.3% percent for his career. That's impressive. His excellence was undeniable.
Additionally, Mullin was a legit three point shooter. He made 38.4% percent of all the threes he took. That's great regardless how you look it. He even led all for a year in a good playoff year.
He was great at the charity, where he had a career percentage of 86.5% percent. He even managed to get the top mark for a season too.
He was a definition of a pure shooter. He was capable to create his jumper, get off the dribble, was nearly automatic on open looks, was great in the catch and shot etc. He could find the bottom of the net with ease.
That's why in terms of pure (and overall) shooters, Chris Mullin's an all time great in shooting.
5.Ray Allen
Career Two-Point Percentage: 48.5
Career Three-Point Percentage: 39.9
Career Free Throw Percentage: 89.3
Career Points Per Game: 20.2
Career Field Goal Percentage: 45.2
Career Attempts Per Game: 7.1/15.7
Most seasons leading the league in three pointers made, most three point field goals made in a season, most outside shots made in a playoff game and the list continues.
This all points out to the NBA's newest three point king who's now the all time leader in three pointers hit. Ray Allen is simply said one of the greatest shooters to ever put sneakers on.
He's that good. His outside shooting was second to none. Also, let's not forget the fact that Sugar Ray is the NBA Finals leader in three point percentage too.
He was so great in that aspect. In fact, he was a deadly shooter from just about anywhere as he could find the bottom of the net easily.
Allen possesses one of the finest, quickest and accurate releases of all time. That makes him so pure and effective. Few can contest his shot well and he makes everyone pay with little free space.
Additionally, he's excellent mid range threat. His percentage of 48.5% is among the finest ever, even though he's not known for shots on a closer distance.
Actually, his efficiency has got to a high level, especially in his years as part of the Celtics where he connected over 49% on jumpers from 3-23 feet. Quite amazing.
He's lethal free throw shooter, whose career percentage of 89.3 is ranked as the fifth highest of any time. Ray Ray's range has never been questioned and he's well respected for his shooting.
He may be argued even for the first spot too. He's a legend!
4.Jerry West
Career Two-Point Percentage: 47.4
Career Free-Throw Percentage: 81.4
Career Points Per Game: 27.0
Career Field Goal Percentage:47.4
Career Attempts Per Game:9.7/20.4
There are a lot of things based on which you can praise Jerry West and one of them is certainly shooting. He's one of the best shooters in the NBA History.
He picked up where Sharman left and continued the revolution. He was such an amazing shooter that could find the bottom of the net from anywhere on the court.
Jerry was capable to make variety of shots. He could create his own jumper, was terrific in the catch and shot, was great off the dribble, was automatic when open, made spot up jumpers etc.
Basically, he was fantastic in this aspect. West had phenomenal range too. He made so many outside shots, that unfortunately there was not a three point line. He'd have been the all time leader in this category.
He was such a threat from mid range. He connected on 47.4% of his attempts that he took for two points, which is much greater than it first seems.
That's his career percentage too. Impressive, isn't it? In an era where the average shot much below, the Logo's efficiency's was amazing for sure.
Mr Clutch always delivered, especially when it mattered most. He was also good at the charity, where he managed to lead the league twice in it. His percent isn't bad at all.
The thing about Jerry is, he averaged at least 30 points on above 50% field goal percentage which is a phenomenal feat. He consistently beat opponents with his pure shot.
3.Dirk Nowitzki
Career Two-Point Percentage: 49.8
Career Three-Point Percentage: 38.1
Career Free Throw Percentage: 87.7
Career Points Per Game: 23.0
Career Field Goal Percentage: 47.6
Career Attempts Per Game: 8.0/16.8
A guy who possesses a mix of soft touch and size that made him to be a guard in a body of a power forward, Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest shooters to step on a NBA Hardwood.
He's already praised as the best shooting big man of all time. Dirk's a threat from just about anywhere, as he can hit nothing but net with ease.
Nowitzki is an all-around shooter who can make variety of shots. His mid range game is among the finest ever. He has made nearly 50% percent on his attempts, which is terrific.
He's excellent from beyond the arc as well. His career percentage of 38.1% three point percent is respectable. He even won an All-Star Three Point Shootout Contest. No center or power forward has done this so far.
He can hit variety of shots. Spot up jumpers, catch and shot, off the dribble, pull ups and so on. He can deliver on all of them, despite the defensive attention he gets. His range is perhaps the most elite ever.
Big Dirk is lethal at the charity, where he shots a career percentage of 87.7%. Impressive, isn't it? It sure. He might be even argued for the first spot but i found couple of guys above him.
Nonetheless, he's been beautiful shooter to watch.
2.Reggie Miller
Career Two-Point Percentage: 51.6
Career Three-Point Percentage: 39.5
Career Free-Throw Percentage: 88.8
Career Field Goal Percentage: 47.1
Career Points Per Game: 18.2
Career Attempts Per Game: 5.9/12.6
If there's a thing that Reggie Miller is known for, it's definitely shooting. He's one of the greatest shooters in the NBA History, with a good case for the first spot.
There wasn't arguably a better pure shooter than him. He could find the bottom of the net from just about anywhere. His excellence was well known.
Reggie was capable to create his own jumper, get off the dribble, excelled in the catch and shot, was automatic when open, relied well on screens, spot up shots etc.
Additionally, Miller had incredible jump shot. He had a very quick, accurate and pure release that was so hard to stop as he consistently made his shots.
He was guarded pretty heavily because of his abilities. He'd get his own look even with barely a little space to make an attempt. He was pretty effective.
He possessed a silky smooth game from mid range, as he hit 51.6% percent on his attempts. That's impressive. He was well known for his ability to make the three pointers.
Until recently, he held the record for most three point field goals made and his career percentage of 39.5% is impressive. He led twice in this category.
Also, Reggie was deadly at the charity, where he managed to lead all five times in highest free throw percent and ranks ninth on the all time list too.
Miller was also one of the rare players who were part of the 50/40/90 club. A respectable case can be for him can be made about the first spot. Nonetheless, he was lethal.
1.Larry Bird
Career Two-Point Percentage: 50.9
Career Three-Point Percentage: 37.6
Career Free-Throw Percentage: 88.6
Career Points Per Game: 24.3
Career Field Goal Percentage: 49.6
Career Attempts Per Game: 9.6/19.3
Although he was never the athlete that most players were in basketball, Larry Bird dominated in this league because of his shooting abilities. He's arguably the greatest shooter in the NBA History.
His range was amazing. He could find the bottom of the net from just about anywhere, as he was so deadly. Larry's ability was second to none.
You don't get this reputation for nothing. He could make shots in multiple ways. Off the dribble, catch and shot, spot up looks etc. His excellence was undeniable.
Of course, he was capable to create for himself too. Bird possessed one of the most lethal mid range games ever, if not the most. He shot 51% percentage, that tops anyone who scored over 20 points.
Additionally, he was a phenomenal three point shooter. He led the league twice in that category and won three All-Star Three Point Shootout Contests, being the first to win that many and all in a row.
His percentage of 37.6% is more than respectable. Larry Legend was deadly at the charity. His free throw percent of 88.6% is ranked as the tenth highest of all time. He led four times in this category.
Then, his efficiency is off the charts. He was the first player to get at least 50% field goal, 40% three point and 90% free throw percentage in a season.
In fact, in his peak, he averaged at least 50/40/90 for three years. on at least 28 points. Dominant, isn't it? It sure is. Bird's shooting was unbelievable and it's arguably second to none.
Honorable Mention
Mark Price, Mitch Richmond, Paul Arizin, Adrian Dantley, Oscar Robertson, Bernard King, Kobe Bryant and so on.
