Stephen Curry is one of the best shooters in the NBA right now. (NBA.com photo)
The art of hitting a shot is the most essential part of the game of basketball. Sure, players like Tyson Chandler are DeAndre Jordan can compensate for their lack of shooting ability by doing great work in the post, but most of the time, a player isn’t going to be valuable if he can’t hit a shot. With that in mind, we present our list of the best shooters in the NBA.
10. Ray Allen, Miami Heat
Sure, he’s a bit older, but he still has an excellent touch. As of now, Allen stands as the best 3-point shooter of all-time (although Stephen Curry might supplant him over the next decade). Operating as the Heat’s sixth man, Allen hit .419 from downtown this year, hitting several wide-open shots as defenders concerned themselves with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Allen’s best years may be behind him, but he still one of the best in game from behind the arc.
9. Jose Calderon, Detroit Pistons
Calderon doesn’t a take a great deal of shots, instead preferring to rely on his excellent passing skills. But when he does decide to pull the trigger, it usually works out well. Calderon holds the distinction of having the best free-throw shooting season of all-time, as in 2008-09, he shot a stunning 98.1 from the line, missing only three attempts all year. Calderon is a great shooter from anywhere on the court, however, and if the Pistons retain him, they will have one of the more under-utilized weapons in the league.
8. Steve Novak, New York Knicks
Novak has one job – shoot 3s. Luckily, he does that job extremely well. As soon as Novak enters the game, the odds are extremely high that he’ll hitting one from downtown before the defense knows what them. The desire of opposing teams to cover Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith makes Novak basically an afterthought, which means he gets tons of wide open looks. Novak’s game might be limited, but few players have done a better job of mastering an individual skill than Novak has. When you need a 3, he’s your guy.
7. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
When Dirk Nowitzki first returned from the injury that sidelined him for the first two months of the season, he clearly wasn’t his old self. He was bricking shots than never gave him trouble in the past and he generally looked out of it. We were faced with the rather scary question of whether the big German was finally starting to slip. Then, in the final two months of the season, Dirk found a way to turn it back on and managed to play some of the best basketball of his career. He has one of the most distinctive shots in the game, it was good to see him putting it good use once again as the season closed out. If Dirk continues playing at the level he did at the end of the season, look for the Mavericks to return to the playoffs next season.
6. Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers
Yes, we all know Nash had a bit of a down year in 2012-13 (though his assist numbers suffered more than anything else), but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still a first-rate shooter. Even as Nash struggled with a knee injury for a fair amount of the season, he still managed to shoot .497 from the field, and .438 from 3. As some of Nash’s skills have begun to deteriorate, it can easy to focus on the things he can’t do anymore, but if you focus on the things Nash is still good at, what you’re left with is a pretty valuable player.
5. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Pelicans
We live in the age of the stretch 4 and no one occupies that role better than Anderson. In his first year in New Orleans, he excelled as the team’s sixth man, continually draining 3s and averaging 16.2 points per game. Having a player of Anderson’s caliber come off the bench is a huge luxury, as he could likely start for two-thirds of the teams in the NBA. With Anthony Davis in place as the Pelicans starting power forward for the foreseeable future, Anderson will likely continue to play the sixth-man role in New Orleans, giving them one of the biggest second-unit weapons in the league.
4. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
If Chris Paul wanted to average 25 points a game, he could do so easily. The only reason he doesn’t is because he knows his excellent passing is an essential part of his game and what allows him to make his teammates better. But the fact is, CP3 is as a good of a pure shooter as you’ll see in the NBA. His pull-up jumpers are nearly impossible to defend and as his game winner against the Memphis Grizzlies proved, he is capable of making extremely difficult shots. Basically, there’s nothing this guy can’t do, other than convincingly wear a fake mustache (sorry, Cliff).
3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Since Durant is basically good at everything, it’s easy to forget what a great shooter he is, but when you watch him in game, it’s truly a sight to behold. He has a quick, confident release that allows him to drain countless pull-up jumpers. This year, Durant also made the ultra-exclusive 50-40-90 club, meaning he shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range, and 90 percent on free throws. The only other forwards to pull that off? Larry Bird and Dirk Nowitzki.
2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
After struggling with inefficiency the previous season, Kobe got his groove back in a big way this season. As the Lakers struggled through one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, Kobe was the only reason they even reached the playoffs at all. His unbelievable jumpers carried the Lakers to victory in a lot of games they otherwise wouldn’t have had a shot. When the Lakers lost him for the playoffs, they’re offense struggled to operate and they were quickly vanquished by the San Antonio Spurs. Kobe is the Lakers at this point, and his incredible shooting is the biggest reason why.
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
After struggling with injury problems for much of the 2011-12 season, Curry came back in a huge way this year, having his best season as a pro. He set the single season record for 3-point shots made in a single season, breaking Ray Allen’s mark from 2005-06. Curry’s smooth, effortless delivery has allowed him to play so well. He releases the ball instantly and before opposing defenders know it, he’s put another three points on the board. Needless to say, Curry’s future is extremely bright, as he will be one of the league’s deadliest shooters for years to come.
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