Stephen Curry Breaks Regular-Season Three Point Record
Tonight is a historic night. With his first and second threes of the night, Stephen Curry has officially surpassed Ray Allen’s long-standing three-point record for the regular season. The previous record, held by Allen at 2,973 triples over his career, now belongs to Steph who should keep it ever-climbing until his retirement.
Curry accomplished this feat in 789th game, almost halving the time it took Allen to do so. Ray played five more seasons for a grand total of 18, and set a record people thought may never be broken. Steph’s breakout and the three-point revolution, however, changed that, and now he’s the undisputed greatest shooter of all time.
The historic game currently being played in Madison Square Garden is what many would consider the closure of a major chapter in Curry’s career. The game he put the world on notice by going for 54 points with 11 triples in 2013 was played right on that very floor. In his 13 seasons, he has set the single-season record for threes over and over again, currently holding the record at 402. Earlier this season, he was noted to be on pace for over 440, which is relatively absurd when you consider how good he was the season he initially set it.
Curry’s triples have come in a variety of ways throughout his career, ranging from off-the-dribble jumpers that resembled the mid-range artistries of Jordan and Kobe, to the catch and shoots running off screens from his teammates, to even desperation heaves from beyond half court to beat the buzzer at the end of a quarter.
He’s also done it no matter where he is on the court. He has made plenty right on the line, but also has what some could consider a full-length career highlight reel of bombs a few feet back. He’s gotten to his spots on stepbacks, sidesteps, stop-and-go wizardry, and of course with the threat of his drives to the basket. No matter who or how many you bring on defense, Curry will find a way to torch them.
This record lifts an immense weight off the shoulders of both Steph and the Warriors, as they will be able to relax a bit on the record-chasing for the rest of the season. Even though Curry should eclipse 3,000 threes this season, his coronation as the official three-point king (even it’s a formality) is so high on the list of achievements that it should be smoother sailing from here on out.
There will be plenty of people who try to emulate him, and some may even see some success doing so, but there will certainly never be another like Stephen Curry. Congratulations, Steph!
(Photo credit: Mike Stobe / Getty Images)