Fansided

Every NBA team’s greatest shooter of all time

By Brandon Jefferson

OAKLAND, CA - 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics: Larry Bird

Larry Bird’s entrance into the NBA just so happened to align with the introduction of the 3-point line. Bird took full advantage of it. He was the originator of the 50-40-90 club, which is when a player shoots 50 percent or better from the field, 40 percent or better on 3-pointers, and 90 percent or better from the free throw line. Bird is one of only two players in NBA history to have multiple seasons hitting those 50-40-90 numbers.

The Hall-of-Famer from French Lick, Indiana, was one of the first swing forwards as he often played both the power forward and small forward position during his time with the Celtics. He spent all 13 years of his NBA career in Boston and shot 37.6 percent from 3-point range.

Bird won the first three Long Distance Shootouts (name would be changed to 3-point contest later on) in NBA history and two of the players he defeated in the finals (Dale Ellis, 1989 and Craig Hodges, 1990-92) would go on to win 3-point contests of their own in the future.

A 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, three-time MVP, three-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP, Bird has had one of the most decorated careers of any player on this list.

He was also a member of the greatest team ever assembled as part of the 1992 Dream Team–though it came as Bird was experiencing back issues that would go on to end his playing career. After stepping away Bird has found success as a coach and in the front office with his hometown Pacers.

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