football prediction

I remember sitting courtside during the 2021 NBA All-Star weekend, watching Steph Curry warm up with that effortless flick of the wrist that's become as iconic as Michael Jordan's fadeaway. What struck me wasn't just the precision, but the sheer volume - he must have taken fifty three-pointers in fifteen minutes, barely missing more than a handful. This obsession with the long ball has completely transformed how teams approach the game, and frankly, I love it. The three-point revolution isn't just changing records - it's rewriting how we understand basketball itself.

When we talk about current three-point leaders, the conversation has to start with Stephen Curry, who's not just leading but dominating in a way we've never seen before. As of this writing, Curry holds the all-time record with 3,390 regular season three-pointers made, and what's incredible is that he's still adding to that number almost every game. I've had analysts tell me his release time is under 0.4 seconds - faster than the blink of an eye. But what makes Curry truly special in my view isn't just the numbers; it's how he's forced defenses to stretch to absurd distances, creating space for everyone else. I recall talking to a defensive coach who confessed they'd rather give up a dunk than a Curry three-pointer - that's the psychological impact he has.

Right behind Curry sits James Harden with 2,818 threes, though his approach couldn't be more different. Where Curry moves constantly, Harden prefers methodical isolation plays, that signature step-back that's become his trademark. I've always been fascinated by how Harden's game demonstrates there are multiple paths to three-point excellence. Then there's Damian Lillard at 2,387, whose range is frankly ridiculous - I've seen him consistently hit from 30+ feet like it's a free throw. What these players share, in my observation, is not just skill but a particular mentality - they're willing to take shots that would get most players benched, and that confidence is what separates good shooters from legendary ones.

The single-game record belongs to Klay Thompson, who dropped 14 threes against Chicago back in 2018. I was actually watching that game live, and what people don't realize is that he did it in just 27 minutes of play. The man was essentially unconscious - every shot looked identical, that perfect arc and soft rotation. Thompson's performance that night represents what I consider the peak of pure shooting - no fancy dribbling, just catch and release perfection. Meanwhile, the single-season record of 402 belongs to Curry from that unbelievable 2015-16 campaign where the Warriors went 73-9. I've rewatched that season's highlights more times than I can count, and what still amazes me is how many of those threes came from well beyond the arc - defenses knew what was coming and still couldn't stop it.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is how the three-point explosion has changed role players. Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat holds the record for fastest to 500 threes, reaching that mark in just 152 games. That's nearly 100 games faster than Curry, which tells you something about how the game has evolved. I've noticed teams are now specifically designing offenses to generate corner threes - the most efficient shot in basketball besides the dunk. The math is simple: hitting 40% from three is equivalent to 60% from two, and that statistical reality has fundamentally altered team construction.

The international influence can't be ignored either. Luka Dončić already has over 800 threes before turning 25, and his step-back three has become as deadly as Harden's. Having covered European basketball before coming to the NBA, I can tell you that the international game has always emphasized outside shooting, and we're seeing that influence pay dividends now. Meanwhile, Trae Young is on pace to shatter records with his deep threes - I've charted his makes and nearly 18% come from 30 feet or beyond, which is unheard of for a primary ballhandler.

Now, we know how to set things up better, I think, next time around. We'll be smarter about developing shooters and creating systems that maximize their talents. Looking at players like Desmond Bane in Memphis or Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana, you can see the next evolution - big men who can shoot, point guards who specialize in catch-and-shoot situations, the lines between positions blurring completely. Personally, I believe we're heading toward a game where the three-pointer becomes even more central, not less. The analytics are just too compelling, and as someone who's been following this trend since the early 2000s, I'm convinced we haven't seen the ceiling yet.

The records will keep falling - that much I'm certain of. What fascinates me isn't just who will break Curry's eventual final number, but how they'll do it. Will it be through even deeper range? More movement? Some innovation we haven't even conceived yet? The three-point line has become basketball's great equalizer and its ultimate weapon, and watching this evolution has been the privilege of my career. The numbers tell one story, but the game tells another - of how a shot that was once considered a gimmick has become the very heart of modern basketball.