The modern NBA is a full-blown three-point festival, and if you’re not jacking up threes, you’re stuck in 2003. But before analytics turned the deep ball into the league’s main course, plenty of sharpshooters made a living beyond the arc in an era that didn’t fully appreciate their range.
So let’s travel back in time and give some overdue props to the guys who would’ve lit it up in today’s game. From catch-and-shoot kings to logo-launching legends, these are the 20 shooters who were born too soon for the 3-point party.
20. Mike Miller
Smooth stroke, sneaky bounce, and never afraid to let it fly—Mike Miller was built for today’s NBA. Give him ten threes a game, and he’d happily make five without sweat.
19. Allan Houston
Allan Houston had one of the prettiest jumpers of his generation. He played like a modern shooting guard before that role fully evolved into the green-light gunners we see now.
18. Jeff Hornacek
Don’t let the dad vibes fool you—Hornacek could shoot the lights out. He was efficient, crafty, and would’ve feasted on modern spacing.
17. Rashard Lewis
Lewis was a stretch-four before that was even a job description. Let him play today, and he’d be launching eight threes a game with zero conscience.
16. Wesley Person
Wesley Person was a human catch-and-shoot highlight reel. Plug him into a modern offense, and he’d be your favorite role player on League Pass.
15. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
His lightning-quick release and smooth handle were tailor-made for today’s pace-and-space game. Think of him as a prequel to Steph Curry with less freedom to fire.
14. Dan Majerle
“Thunder Dan” had serious range and never hesitated to pull up in transition. He’d be the ideal 3-and-D wing in today’s NBA landscape.
13. Glen Rice
Rice had size, elevation, and a butter-smooth release that would earn him a max deal today. Imagine him camping in the corner while Luka or Jokic ran the offense.
12. Brent Barry
He won the dunk contest, but don’t sleep on the jumper—Barry had deep range and the IQ to find open looks. He’d be a supercharged role player in today’s league.
11. Peja Stojaković
Peja was practically a decade too early for his skill set. He was bombing threes off curls and screens before that was the go-to play for half the league.
10. Tim Legler
Legler led the league in 3-point percentage and looked like he could hit 60% if you left him alone. He’d be an analytics darling and an accurate sniper in a modern offense.
9. Hersey Hawkins
Underrated and underappreciated, Hawkins had a clean stroke and great movement without the ball. He’d be the glue guy every contender wants on a vet minimum deal.
8. Reggie Theus
Known more for his flair and passing, Theus also had serious range. He’d be an offensive weapon with today’s green light and emphasis on spacing.
7. Kiki Vandeweghe
Kiki was already pouring in points with surgical precision, and his range extended well beyond the arc. Modern defenses would hate trying to contain his pick-and-pop game.
6. Dell Curry
Steph’s dad knocked down deep shots before his son picked up a basketball. If he played today, we’d call him “Dell the Splash Uncle.”
5. Craig Hodges
Give Hodges 10 threes in a game, and he might hit 8. He was a two-time 3-point contest champ and would’ve thrived with the volume shooters get now.
4. Mitch Richmond
Richmond would’ve stretched his game further in today’s system, strong, smooth, and deadly from midrange. He’d be a perimeter scorer every team wanted.
3. Mark Price
Mark Price ran a pick-and-roll clinic every night and could pull up from anywhere. He’d be putting up video game numbers in today’s spacing-heavy, guard-first game.
2. Dale Ellis
Ellis was a volume shooter in an era that discouraged it, yet he still managed ridiculous efficiency. Let him live in the modern NBA, and he’d be in the top five in made threes annually.
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1. Reggie Miller
Reggie is the poster child for this entire list. Give him today’s freedom, spacing, and green light; he might’ve broken Steph’s records before Steph ever got the chance.
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