As I sit down to analyze this season's NBA three-point shooting landscape, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating golf tournament where Alessandra Luciano battled through a shaky front-nine finish yet emerged as the early leader. That's exactly what we're seeing in the NBA this year - players who might have rough stretches but ultimately rise to the top through sheer shooting prowess. Having followed basketball analytics for over a decade, I've noticed how the three-point revolution has completely transformed how teams build their offenses and how players develop their skills.
The current NBA season has been particularly thrilling when it comes to long-range shooting. Stephen Curry, despite some early-season shooting slumps that reminded me of Luciano's front-nine struggles, continues to dominate the conversation. As of this writing, he's averaging around 4.9 made threes per game at about a 42% clip - numbers that would be career years for most players but are just another season for the greatest shooter we've ever seen. What fascinates me about Curry's game isn't just the volume but the degree of difficulty. He's taking - and making - shots that would get most players benched, and that's why he remains my personal favorite to watch.
Then there's Damian Lillard, who's been absolutely lights out from deep this season. I've always admired his range - we're talking consistent 30-footers that defenses simply can't account for. He's currently knocking down about 4.2 threes per game, and what's remarkable is how many come in clutch situations. Having tracked his performance in close games, I'd estimate about 38% of his made threes occur in the fourth quarter when the game is within five points. That's not just skill - that's mental toughness of the highest order.
What many casual fans might not appreciate is how much the three-point game has evolved beyond just these household names. Players like Desmond Bane and Tyrese Haliburton are redefining what it means to be elite shooters. Bane, in particular, has caught my attention with his quick release and ability to shoot off movement. He's averaging approximately 3.8 made threes per game, but what's more impressive is his 44% shooting from deep - a number that puts him in truly rarefied air. Haliburton, meanwhile, combines volume with playmaking in ways we haven't seen since Steve Nash, except with more willingness to let it fly from deep.
The analytics revolution has completely changed how teams value the three-point shot. I remember arguing with fellow analysts about whether the three-point boom was sustainable, and looking at today's game, the answer is clearly yes. Teams are now designing entire offensive systems around creating quality three-point looks rather than treating them as bonus points. The math is simple - making 35% of your threes is equivalent to shooting 52.5% from two-point range, and when you have specialists who can hit at 40% or better, the offensive efficiency numbers become staggering.
What's particularly interesting to me is how shooting has become democratized across positions. We're no longer in an era where only guards take threes - now we have centers like Karl-Anthony Towns and Alperen Şengun stretching defenses with legitimate three-point range. Towns is hitting about 2.5 threes per game at around 41%, which for a seven-footer is just ridiculous. I've always believed that the next evolution in basketball would be positionless shooting, and we're seeing that unfold before our eyes.
The international influence on three-point shooting can't be overstated either. Watching players like Luka Dončić and Lauri Markkanen light it up from deep makes me appreciate how global the game has become. Dončić is averaging roughly 4.1 made threes per game, many of them step-backs that defy conventional shooting mechanics. Having studied shooting form across different basketball cultures, I've noticed European players often have more economical motions - less wasted movement, quicker releases - and it shows in their consistency.
As we look at the current leaders, it's worth considering what separates the good shooters from the great ones. In my analysis, it comes down to three factors: volume, efficiency, and degree of difficulty. The true elite can maintain high percentages while taking difficult shots at high volumes. Curry obviously tops this list, but what surprises me is how quickly younger players like Anthony Edwards are closing the gap. Edwards has increased his three-point output to about 3.4 per game while maintaining a respectable 37% shooting - not elite efficiency yet, but the progression suggests he'll get there.
The three-point revolution has also changed defensive schemes in ways I couldn't have predicted a decade ago. Teams are now willing to surrender mid-range shots to protect the rim and the three-point line, creating this interesting mathematical game within the game. As an analyst, I find this strategic layer absolutely fascinating - it's no longer just about stopping individuals but about disrupting the geometry of the offense.
Looking ahead, I'm convinced we haven't seen the peak of three-point shooting yet. The next frontier appears to be even deeper threes - what analysts are calling the "four-point range" - though I'm skeptical about whether that will ever become a fundamental part of the game. What's more likely is continued refinement in shot selection and creation. The leaders we see today aren't just shooters - they're masters of space, timing, and basketball IQ who understand how to leverage the three-point line to maximum effect.
In many ways, the current three-point leaders embody that same resilience we saw in Alessandra Luciano's golf performance - the ability to struggle through rough patches but still emerge on top. That mental component is what separates the good from the great, and why watching these shooters navigate slumps and hot streaks remains one of basketball's most compelling narratives. The numbers tell part of the story, but the human element - the confidence to keep shooting no matter what - is what makes this season's three-point race so captivating to follow.
