Discover the Complete List of NBA 3 Point Champions and Their Record-Breaking Performances

As I sit here watching the latest NBA playoff game, I can't help but marvel at how the three-point shot has completely transformed basketball. Having followed the league for over two decades, I've witnessed this evolution firsthand - from when teams barely attempted 15 threes per game to today's analytics-driven era where 40+ attempts have become routine. The three-point contest during All-Star weekend has consistently been my personal favorite event, showcasing the purest shooting talent the game has to offer.

I remember watching Larry Bird dominate the early competitions with that legendary confidence, famously asking his competitors "who's finishing second?" before the contest even began. That swagger defined an era, but what we're seeing now is something entirely different. The current generation of shooters has taken long-range bombing to almost mathematical precision. Stephen Curry's 2015 performance where he hit 13 consecutive shots remains burned in my memory - I've never seen anything like that before or since. The way he barely even looked at the rim during that streak was both absurd and beautiful. What many casual fans might not realize is how much these contest performances translate to real games. When Klay Thompson set the single-game three-point record with 14 makes against Chicago, it felt like watching the three-point contest at game speed.

The evolution of shooting technique fascinates me personally. Watching Ray Allen's textbook form compared to Damian Lillard's deeper range today shows how the art has progressed. Allen's 2011 contest win at 35 years old demonstrated that perfect technique ages beautifully, while Lillard's 26-foot bombs in last year's contest pushed the boundaries of what we consider a "good shot." I've always preferred shooters who create their own shots off the dribble rather than catch-and-shoot specialists - there's something more thrilling about a player like Kyrie Irving manufacturing space before launching.

We're currently in what I consider the golden age of shooting. The 2022 contest between Karl-Anthony Towns, Luke Kennard, and Trae Young featured the most dramatic final round I've seen since Paul Pierce edged out Mike Bibby back in 2002. Towns becoming the first big man to win since Dirk Nowitzki was particularly meaningful - it signals that the three-point revolution has reached every position. What surprises me most is how records keep falling despite defenses increasingly focusing on limiting three-point attempts. When Buddy Hield set the final round record with 28 points in 2020, he did so with a degree of difficulty that would have been unimaginable a decade earlier.

Looking ahead, I'm convinced we'll see someone break 30 points in a final round within the next three years. The kids coming up through AAU and college systems are developing shooting ranges we previously thought were video game fantasies. The way this Sunday's developments could either cement current trends or completely reshape team building strategies reminds me of how the three-point contest often predicts broader league shifts. Just as the 2011 lockout changed contract structures, the shooting revolution continues altering how teams value different skills. Personally, I'm hoping for more specialists like Joe Harris and Duncan Robinson to win future contests - there's something pure about players who master this single craft rather than being all-around stars.

Ultimately, what makes the three-point champions so compelling isn't just the numbers, but how they capture basketball's ongoing evolution. Each record-breaking performance represents both an individual achievement and a milestone in the sport's development. As much as I appreciate the athleticism of dunk contests, the three-point competition showcases skill development in its most refined form. The next time you watch a player heat up from deep during a game, remember that what you're seeing has been perfected through years of practice - the same dedication that produces those magical All-Star weekend moments we all remember for decades.