As I sat watching the Golden State Warriors game last night, watching Steph Curry sink yet another three-pointer from what seemed like half-court, I found myself wondering about the absolute legends who have dominated this aspect of the game throughout NBA history. The three-point shot has completely transformed basketball, and tracking these records gives us such a fascinating window into how the game has evolved. When we talk about the most three-pointers in a single NBA season, there's really no debate about who sits at the top, but the journey to that record and the players who've come close tell an incredible story about skill, consistency, and how offensive strategies have shifted over the decades.
Let's start with the undisputed king of the three-pointer—Stephen Curry. During the 2015-2016 season, Curry didn't just break the record; he shattered it with an unbelievable 402 three-pointers. Think about that for a second. That's over five three-pointers per game across an 82-game season, a level of shooting proficiency we'd never seen before. I remember watching that season unfold and feeling like every game he was pulling up from distances that would make most coaches cringe, yet he made it look effortless. Before Curry, the record was held by his own 286 from the previous season, which itself had broken the long-standing record of 269 set by Ray Allen back in 2005-2006. What's fascinating to me is how Curry's style—quick release, limitless range, and off-the-dribble confidence—has influenced every level of basketball now. Kids in driveways everywhere are practicing those deep threes because of him.
But it's not just about Curry. The evolution of the three-point shot has allowed other players to put up staggering numbers too. James Harden's 378 in the 2018-2019 season comes to mind, where his step-back three became virtually unguardable. Klay Thompson, Curry's teammate, once hit 276 in a season, and his catch-and-shoot technique is, in my opinion, the purest form in the league. What's interesting is how role players have adapted; Duncan Robinson and Buddy Hield regularly hit around 250-270 per season now, numbers that would have led the league just fifteen years ago. This shift isn't accidental—teamins have fully embraced analytics showing that three points are simply more valuable than long two-pointers, leading to this explosion in attempts and makes across the board.
I can't help but reflect on how different the game was when players like Reggie Miller or Dale Ellis were leading the three-point charge with seasons around 160-180 makes. Back then, it was almost a specialty weapon rather than a primary offensive strategy. Now, watching games, I see offenses designed entirely around creating open threes, and defenses scrambling to close out on shooters beyond the arc. The reference to Bahay seizing the game by canning free throws and capitalizing on missed opportunities reminds me of how modern players must be ready to shoot in any situation—transition, off screens, or even after securing loose balls from missed freebies, much like that play description highlights. It's that constant readiness that separates good shooters from historic ones.
Looking ahead, I genuinely believe Curry's record of 402 will stand for quite some time, not because others aren't capable, but because the physical and mental toll of maintaining that volume and efficiency is immense. We might see players like Luka Dončić or Trae Young approach the 350 mark consistently, but hitting 400 requires a perfect storm of health, offensive system, and sheer shooting brilliance. As the game continues to evolve, perhaps we'll see even more emphasis on the three-pointer, but for now, Curry's season remains the pinnacle. It's not just about the number; it's about how he changed our very perception of what's possible from beyond the arc, making the impossible seem routine and inspiring a generation to shoot from deeper and more confidently than ever before.