Who are the top 50 players of the 3 point era (79-80 to present)?

[ceiling raiser]

This year is notable because it’s the 75th anniversary of the league, however we are also fast approaching 50 years of 3 point basketball (in the NBA, obviously the ABA and ABL had the three earlier) with 2028-29 around the corner.

Wondering who the top 50 players since the inception of the three are. Obviously there will be some edge cases of players who were around before who are certainly top 50 guys all-time in a vacuum (Kareem, Erving, Malone, in particular), but when considering only seasons beginning with 79-80 I wonder who makes the shortlist.

Locks in my opinion (not in order):

(1) Michael Jordan
(2) LeBron James
(3) Magic Johnson
(4) Larry Bird
(5) Shaquille O’Neal
(6) Hakeem Olajuwon
(7) Tim Duncan
(8) Kevin Garnett
(9) Steph Curry
(10) Dirk Nowitzki
(12) Steve Nash
(13) Karl Malone
(14) Chris Paul
(15) Kobe Bryant
(16) John Stockton
(17) David Robinson
(18) Charles Barkley
(19) James Harden
(20) Dwyane Wade
(21) Kevin Durant
(22) Reggie Miller
(23) Jason Kidd
(24) Patrick Ewing
(25) Scottie Pippen

Who else definitely makes the list for you?

[eminence]

KD is the big miss.

Pippen/Ewing/Kidd/Miller would probably round out my top 25 on first thought along with the names you mentioned. Tough to think out to 50 off the top of my head.

[ceiling raiser]

KD is the big miss.

Pippen/Ewing/Kidd/Miller would probably round out my top 25 on first thought along with the names you mentioned. Tough to think out to 50 off the top of my head.

Oh wow I thought I’d included him. Yikes! Agree on those five. I’ll add them.

[falcolombardi]

This year is notable because it’s the 75th anniversary of the league, however we are also fast approaching 50 years of 3 point basketball (in the NBA, obviously the ABA and ABL had the three earlier) with 2028-29 around the corner.

Wondering who the top 50 players since the inception of the three are. Obviously there will be some edge cases of players who were around before who are certainly top 50 guys all-time in a vacuum (Kareem, Erving, Malone, in particular), but when considering only seasons beginning with 79-80 I wonder who makes the shortlist.

Locks in my opinion (not in order):

(1) Michael Jordan
(2) LeBron James
(3) Magic Johnson
(4) Larry Bird
(5) Shaquille O’Neal
(6) Hakeem Olajuwon
(7) Tim Duncan
(8) Kevin Garnett
(9) Steph Curry
(10) Dirk Nowitzki
(12) Steve Nash
(13) Karl Malone
(14) Chris Paul
(15) Kobe Bryant
(16) John Stockton
(17) David Robinson
(18) Charles Barkley
(19) James Harden
(20) Dwyane Wade
(21) Kevin Durant
(22) Reggie Miller
(23) Jason Kidd
(24) Patrick Ewing
(25) Scottie Pippen

Who else definitely makes the list for you?

giannis
jokic
harden
kawhi

should probably make your list

[HeartBreakKid]

This year is notable because it’s the 75th anniversary of the league, however we are also fast approaching 50 years of 3 point basketball (in the NBA, obviously the ABA and ABL had the three earlier) with 2028-29 around the corner.

Wondering who the top 50 players since the inception of the three are. Obviously there will be some edge cases of players who were around before who are certainly top 50 guys all-time in a vacuum (Kareem, Erving, Malone, in particular), but when considering only seasons beginning with 79-80 I wonder who makes the shortlist.

Locks in my opinion (not in order):

(1) Michael Jordan
(2) LeBron James
(3) Magic Johnson
(4) Larry Bird
(5) Shaquille O’Neal
(6) Hakeem Olajuwon
(7) Tim Duncan
(8) Kevin Garnett
(9) Steph Curry
(10) Dirk Nowitzki
(12) Steve Nash
(13) Karl Malone
(14) Chris Paul
(15) Kobe Bryant
(16) John Stockton
(17) David Robinson
(18) Charles Barkley
(19) James Harden
(20) Dwyane Wade
(21) Kevin Durant
(22) Reggie Miller
(23) Jason Kidd
(24) Patrick Ewing
(25) Scottie Pippen

Who else definitely makes the list for you?

giannis
jokic
harden
kawhi

should probably make your list

Harden is there

[70sFan]

Don't you think that Kareem did enough in 1980-89 period to be included? I don't know, I think it's close. Same with Julius - is his post-1979 career really that much worse than someone like Wade?

Moses Malone has to be there. He loses one of his best seasons in 1979, but overall his post 1980 career is clearly top 30 worthy.

[falcolombardi]

This year is notable because it’s the 75th anniversary of the league, however we are also fast approaching 50 years of 3 point basketball (in the NBA, obviously the ABA and ABL had the three earlier) with 2028-29 around the corner.

Wondering who the top 50 players since the inception of the three are. Obviously there will be some edge cases of players who were around before who are certainly top 50 guys all-time in a vacuum (Kareem, Erving, Malone, in particular), but when considering only seasons beginning with 79-80 I wonder who makes the shortlist.

Locks in my opinion (not in order):

(1) Michael Jordan
(2) LeBron James
(3) Magic Johnson
(4) Larry Bird
(5) Shaquille O’Neal
(6) Hakeem Olajuwon
(7) Tim Duncan
(8) Kevin Garnett
(9) Steph Curry
(10) Dirk Nowitzki
(12) Steve Nash
(13) Karl Malone
(14) Chris Paul
(15) Kobe Bryant
(16) John Stockton
(17) David Robinson
(18) Charles Barkley
(19) James Harden
(20) Dwyane Wade
(21) Kevin Durant
(22) Reggie Miller
(23) Jason Kidd
(24) Patrick Ewing
(25) Scottie Pippen

Who else definitely makes the list for you?

giannis
jokic
harden
kawhi

should probably make your list

Harden is there

true, missed his name

so in addition to the 25 guys op mentions there are:

sure picks

-kawhi
-giannis
-jokic
-maybe davis (too many injuries)
-kareem
-moses
-Dr. J

possible picks (Active )
-embiid
-lillard
-westbrook
-Paul george
-butler
-Howard
-gobert
-draymond

possible picks (retired)

-drexler
-billups
-mutombo
-mourning
-english
-dantley
-payton
-ray allen
-pierce
-carter
-iverson
-ginobili
-webber
-pau Gasol
-isiaah thomas

these are guys off the top of my head to consider

other interesting options

-Ben Wallace
-rasheed Wallace
-Dennis rodman
-marc gasol
-tony Parker
-McGrady

[DQuinn1575]

Don't you think that Kareem did enough in 1980-89 period to be included? I don't know, I think it's close. Same with Julius - is his post-1979 career really that much worse than someone like Wade?

Moses Malone has to be there. He loses one of his best seasons in 1979, but overall his post 1980 career is clearly top 30 worthy.

Close? Are you serious - his mvp award shares are around where Dirk & Chris Paul are. 4x 1st team All-NBA.
I would take those 3, and also add Gervin to the list.
For 50, I would think Carter, McGrady, Dominique, Parish, McHale and Alex English belong.

[70sFan]

Don't you think that Kareem did enough in 1980-89 period to be included? I don't know, I think it's close. Same with Julius - is his post-1979 career really that much worse than someone like Wade?

Moses Malone has to be there. He loses one of his best seasons in 1979, but overall his post 1980 career is clearly top 30 worthy.

Close? Are you serious - his mvp award shares are around where Dirk & Chris Paul are. 4x 1st team All-NBA.
I would take those 3, and also add Gervin to the list.
For 50, I would think Carter, McGrady, Dominique, Parish, McHale and Alex English belong.

I didn't make a lot of thought about it, but you're right - they make it quite easily. Good mention on Gervin as well.

[bizil]

No particular order:

1. MJ
2. Bron
3. Kobe
4. Magic
5. Steph
6. KD
7. Kareem
8. Duncan
9. Shaq
10.Bird
11.Moses
12. Mailman
13. Barkley
14. KG
15. Dirk
16. Giannis
17. Harden
18. Nique
19. Wade
20. Ray Allen
21. AI
22. Dr. J
23. Dream
24. Admiral
25. Isiah
26. Russ
27. McHale
28. Kawhi
29. English
30. Rodman
31. T Mac
32. Dwight
33. Melo
34. Kyrie
35. Stockton
36. Ewing
37. Pip
38. Nash
39. CP3
40. Vince
41. Klay
42. Miller
43. Kidd
44. Dantley
45. Tony Parker
46. Iceman
47. Drexler
48. Pierce
49. AD
50. GP

[bricks29]

ceiling raiser, is your estimated pre-1969 rebounds spreadsheet still available?

[falcolombardi]

i wouldnt separate it as "3 point era" since the 3 point was not really used the first few years

i think it makes more sense to use post merger as a cut off point

[Jaivl]

2022 not included, I think I'm not missing anyone

1. LeBron
2. Jordan
3. Duncan
4. O'Neal
5. Hakeem
6. Garnett
7. Magic
8. Kobe
9. Bird
10. Dirk
11. Karl Malone
12. Robinson
13. Paul
14. Curry
15. Nash
16. Durant
17. Barkley
18. Wade
19. Ewing
20. Stockton
21. Harden
22. Pippen
23. Miller
24. Moses Malone
25. Kidd
26. Westbrook
27. McHale
28. Pierce
29. Thomas
30. Allen
31. Drexler
32. Abdul-Jabbar
33. McGrady
34. Payton
35. Antetokounmpo
36. Howard
37. Gasol
38. Carter
39. Leonard
40. Wilkins
41. Mourning
42. Kevin Johnson
43. Davis
44. Mutombo
45. Ginóbili
46. Rasheed
47. Iverson
48. Erving
49. Parker
50. Billups
HHMM: Moncrief, Worthy, Terry Porter, Parish

[falcolombardi]

2022 not included, I think I'm not missing anyone

1. LeBron
2. Jordan
3. Duncan
4. O'Neal
5. Hakeem
6. Garnett
7. Magic
8. Kobe
9. Bird
10. Dirk
11. Karl Malone
12. Robinson
13. Paul
14. Curry
15. Nash
16. Durant
17. Barkley
18. Wade
19. Ewing
20. Stockton
21. Harden
22. Pippen
23. Miller
24. Moses Malone
25. Kidd
26. Westbrook
27. McHale
28. Pierce
29. Thomas
30. Allen
31. Drexler
32. Abdul-Jabbar
33. McGrady
34. Payton
35. Antetokounmpo
36. Howard
37. Gasol
38. Carter
39. Leonard
40. Wilkins
41. Mourning
42. Kevin Johnson
43. Davis
44. Mutombo
45. Ginóbili
46. Rasheed
47. Iverson
48. Parker
49. Billups
50. Moncrief
HHMM: Worthy, Terry Porter, Parish

julius erving?

[Jaivl]

2022 not included, I think I'm not missing anyone

1. LeBron
2. Jordan
3. Duncan
4. O'Neal
5. Hakeem
6. Garnett
7. Magic
8. Kobe
9. Bird
10. Dirk
11. Karl Malone
12. Robinson
13. Paul
14. Curry
15. Nash
16. Durant
17. Barkley
18. Wade
19. Ewing
20. Stockton
21. Harden
22. Pippen
23. Miller
24. Moses Malone
25. Kidd
26. Westbrook
27. McHale
28. Pierce
29. Thomas
30. Allen
31. Drexler
32. Abdul-Jabbar
33. McGrady
34. Payton
35. Antetokounmpo
36. Howard
37. Gasol
38. Carter
39. Leonard
40. Wilkins
41. Mourning
42. Kevin Johnson
43. Davis
44. Mutombo
45. Ginóbili
46. Rasheed
47. Iverson
48. Parker
49. Billups
50. Moncrief
HHMM: Worthy, Terry Porter, Parish

julius erving?

Good catch, he's near the bottom but he's in.

[falcolombardi]

2022 not included, I think I'm not missing anyone

1. LeBron
2. Jordan
3. Duncan
4. O'Neal
5. Hakeem
6. Garnett
7. Magic
8. Kobe
9. Bird
10. Dirk
11. Karl Malone
12. Robinson
13. Paul
14. Curry
15. Nash
16. Durant
17. Barkley
18. Wade
19. Ewing
20. Stockton
21. Harden
22. Pippen
23. Miller
24. Moses Malone
25. Kidd
26. Westbrook
27. McHale
28. Pierce
29. Thomas
30. Allen
31. Drexler
32. Abdul-Jabbar
33. McGrady
34. Payton
35. Antetokounmpo
36. Howard
37. Gasol
38. Carter
39. Leonard
40. Wilkins
41. Mourning
42. Kevin Johnson
43. Davis
44. Mutombo
45. Ginóbili
46. Rasheed
47. Iverson
48. Parker
49. Billups
50. Moncrief
HHMM: Worthy, Terry Porter, Parish

julius erving?

Good catch, he's near the bottom but he's in.

out of curiosity where do you have jokic and embiid?
are paul george/butler/lillard/gobert/draymond in consideration for top 50?

[Jaivl]

julius erving?

Good catch, he's near the bottom but he's in.

out of curiosity where do you have jokic and embiid?
are paul george/butler/lillard/gobert/draymond in consideration for top 50?

- Neither Jokic or Embiid are in consideration if I don't count 2022. If I do, Jokic rises to about Howard level and Embiid to about Rodman level (injuries...).
- Yes, in fact most would enter if I counted 2022. Lillard > George > Green > Butler, all very close, in my all-time list, with Gobert a bit behind.

[Stalwart]

I have 4 players too many. Who gets the boot?

Pgs: Magic, Steph, Nash, Kidd, Russ, GP, Kyrie, Stockton, Isiah, Paul, Parker, Billups

SGs: Jordan, Kobe, Wade, Drexler, Harden, Iverson, Allen, Mcgrady, Carter, Moncrief, Manu, Klay

SFs: Bird, Lebron, KD, Kawhi, Pierce, Pippen, Dantley, English, Wilkins

PFs: Barkley, Malone, Duncan, KG, Dirk, Giannis, Bosh, Gasol, Rodman, Dray

Cs: Hakeem, Ewing, Shaq, Robinson, Mutombo, Jokic, Mourning, Howard, Kareem

[KobesScarf]

Nash & Paul over Kobe is hilarious.

[KobesScarf]

Also Moses is top 10