Shooters

Deadeye Shooters

Today, I will take a look at some of the best shooters that the NBA has to offer. Some of these players are household names while others are hidden gems. They can shoot the ball well from beyond the arc, possess a good midrange game, or excel at both. Elite shooters are at an all time high in demand in the association. These players do have off nights and can go on cold streaks, but the good outweighs the bad for these marksmen. Having an elite shooter can be the difference between a deep postseason run or an early exit.

10. Danny Green

 
 






If it was not for Ray Allen's late game heroics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Danny Green might have been the Finals MVP. He broke the Finals record for three pointers made. His shooting display throughout the playoffs earned him the right to be recognized as one of the game's best shooters. His shooting is not flashy by any means. His career average of 41% beyond the arc is something opposing teams cannot overlook.

  9. Jamal Crawford

One of my favorite shooters in the league is Jamal Crawford. Crawford is a scintillating shooter because he has an array of moves. He can come off of screens and picks. Finally, my favorite, he can cross a defender and line them up for a contested look. He even shoots rainbows to get his shot over bigger defenders. Crawford does not get a lot of credit as a shooter because he can have dry spells. However, for his career he shoots 35% from beyond the arc and 41% overall. When Crawford digs into his bag of tricks before he shoots, it is definitely something to marvel. Defenders worry about getting embarrassed by Crawford.

8. Bradley Beal

Up until the Three Point Shootout, many had no clue of Bradley Beal’s shooting ability. Beal plays for the Washington Wizards who do not get much national attention. He has been compared to Ray Allen in regards to his pretty jumper and fast release. Beal is the beneficiary of being one of the only shooters on the Wizards. Basically, because teams load the paint to stop John Wall and Nene, Beal gets a lot of open looks. Come playoff time, Beal will solidify himself as a household name and one of the game's best shooters.

7. Ray Allen

At this point in his career, Jesus Shuttlesworth is nothing more than a supreme marksman. He is still up to his old antics as he comes off screens to knock down shots. He is still clutch from time to time. If you do not believe me, turn on Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Ray Allen is usually lost in the shuffle during games because he is not as lethal as Lebron, D-Wade, or Bosh. Allen has done a good job of mastering his craft as a shooter. It is very hard for even younger plays to keep up with Allen coming off of all those screens.

6. Carmelo Anthony  

People forget about Carmelo Anthony's ability to shoot because of his "bullish" mentality down in the paint. Never mind the word bullish that's my prerogative coming into this article. Melo likes to shoot the ball in many different ways. He likes to pull up or shoot threes as a trailer in transition. As far as his midrange game, Anthony will body his defender up then suddenly rise up and shoot. When he is hot, it is a sight to see and no one can stop him.

5. Klay Thompson

  









Since his arrival in the NBA, Klay Thompson has surpassed expectations as a professional. At Washington State, he was considered a bad shot taker and an underachiever. With the Golden State Warriors, Thompson has helped, prematurely, form one of the all time great shooting tandems in league history with Stephen Curry. Thompson is a volume scorer that likes to move around when he scores. He is a silent assassin because he is always emotionless when he is hitting his shots. He could be better on offense if he did not exert so much energy on defense. His full potential has yet to be reached.

4. Kyle Korver

Kyle Korver has made it possible for athletically challenged shooters that cannot play defense to last in the NBA. Coming out of Creighton, many did not think Korver would last in a league with such gifted athletes. Hard work and dedication has kept him in the league. He has floated from Philadelphia, Utah, Chicago, and now Atlanta, but his shooting always follows. Korver is the record holder for most consecutive games with a three pointer made. He comes off screens, but he is a stationary shooter. 

3. JJ Redick 

Playing in Orlando, JJ Redick never received any spotlight attention because of players like Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Rashard Lewis. With the Clippers, Redick has shown his phenomenal shooting abilities. He plays in an offense Doc Rivers used to orchestrate for Ray Allen to run off screens and knock down shots. Basically, he is a shooter that prefers to shoot in motion. It certainly helps Redick when opposing defenses have to focus on Chris
Paul and Blake Griffin. This makes it easier for him to shoot a boatload of jumpers. 

2. Stephen Curry

  






Like his "Splash Brother" Stephen Curry is a high volume scorer. He tends to take a lot of jump shots during the course of the game. This could be due to his thin frame. Nevertheless, Curry can light it up with his three point shots and midrange game. Curry is a dancing shooter that means he likes to make a defender move to his rhythm and suddenly launch one over his head. Also, he prefers shooting after his big man sets a pick to free him up. This makes for entertaining basketball in the Bay Area.

 1. Kevin Durant 

 








"The Slim Reaper" holds the top spot on this list because he can go on a shooting streak like no one else in the NBA. Kevin Durant can pull up from anywhere and knock shots down with ease. Defenders try their best to stay in front of him and force him to take contested jumpers but to no avail. Two things separate Durant from the other shooters on this list. First, he is extremely efficient with the shots he takes. Shooting 39% from beyond the arc and 51% overall, Durant rarely takes a bad shot. Second, he is clutch. Durant is just too long and agile for defenders to deal with. As a result, most teams look to double team him late. Good luck with that.