Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has named his five greatest shooters in NBA history, delivering a surprising pick that's sparking debate. The former sharpshooter made his selections while appearing on Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green's podcast, "The Draymond Green Show." NY Post Sports first reported the story.
Who did JJ Redick pick as the greatest NBA shooters?
Redick didn't hesitate with his top choice. "Oh, that's easy. That's easy. Steph [Curry] is first. Everybody else is way down the list to me," Redick said. Draymond Green immediately agreed with that assessment. For the remaining four spots, Redick listed them in no particular order: Klay Thompson, Kyle Korver, Ray Allen, and Reggie Miller. He stated, "To me, those are the guys."
The first four names are largely expected. Steph Curry is the NBA's all-time three-point leader and revolutionized the game. Ray Allen and Reggie Miller were the standard-bearers for perimeter shooting before the "Splash Brothers" era. Their inclusion makes perfect sense to most basketball analysts and fans.
Why is Kyle Korver a surprising choice?
Kyle Korver's inclusion is the curveball. His career accolades don't match the championship rings and All-Star appearances of the other four legends on Redick's list. However, true fans know Korver was one of the purest shooters of his generation. His career three-point percentage of 42.9% ranks 10th all-time, which is actually higher than Steph Curry's current career mark of 42.2%.
Korver's peak season with the Atlanta Hawks was phenomenal. He shot a staggering 49.2% from beyond the arc that year, a mark of incredible efficiency. He finished his career with 2,450 made three-pointers, the eighth-most in NBA history. Players like Paul George and Kevin Durant are close to passing that total, but Korver's consistency over a long career is what impressed Redick.
What was the reaction to Redick's list?
Draymond Green, the podcast host, didn't object to Korver's inclusion. Reports from the show indicate Green was nodding his head in agreement as Redick laid out his picks. The list naturally omits other notable snipers. Damian Lillard, James Harden, and even Redick himself were left off. Redick, who made 1,950 threes at a 41.5% clip, clearly holds a specific standard that prioritizes pure shooting form and percentage over volume scoring alone.
This discussion offers a glimpse into the basketball mind now leading the Lakers. Redick's analytical approach and deep respect for shooting craft will likely influence the team's strategy. You can review the shooting stats of current Lakers players on our stats page.
How does this connect to the Lakers' current situation?
Redick's focus on elite shooting is timely for the Lakers franchise. Improving perimeter scoring will be a key objective as they build their roster for the upcoming campaign.
Integrating players who can space the floor and knock down shots at a high percentage will be essential for the Lakers' success. Redick's personal list shows the value he places on that specific skill, which may signal the type of players the front office will target. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matchups on our schedule page.