Dirk Nowitzki says nobody will pass Stephen Curry's 3-point record: 'He changed the game'

Benyam Kidane

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Dirk Nowitzki says nobody will pass Stephen Curry's 3-point record: 'He changed the game' image

From one all-time great shooter to another, Dirk Nowitzki says Stephen Curry sits in a class of his own. 

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Curry has just surpassed Ray Allen to become the NBA's all-time record holder in 3-pointers made, and according to the Dallas Mavericks legend, Curry's shooting records will be impossible to catch.

"I don't think there's anybody in sight now that can break his record," Nowitzki said on a videoconference with global NBA media.

"I mean, the way he's been -- at the clip that he's shooting now is just fantastic and fun to watch. In a way, he's changed the game. He's changed the game to where these kids now shoot from and consistently shoot way, way behind the 3-point line. We have guys now pulling up just after halfcourt and they're open and they're letting it go, stuff that you would have never seen when I started to play."

All-time 3-pointers made

RANK PLAYER 3-POINTERS
1.  Stephen Curry 2,974 **
2.  Ray Allen 2,973
3.  Reggie Miller 2,560
4.  James Harden 2,509 
5.  Kyle Korver 2,450
6.  Vince Carter 2,290
7.  Jason Terry  2,282 
8.  Jamal Crawford 2,221
9.  Paul Pierce 2,143
10.  Damian Lillard 2,109
11.  LeBron James 2,023
12.  Jason Kidd ​1,988
13. Dirk Nowitzki 1,982

Nowitzki, who sits 13th on the all-time list himself with 1,982 triples across his decorated 21-year NBA career, holds a special place in history as the only big man in the top 20 all-time.

Entering the league in 1998 after being drafted by the Mavericks with the No. 9 pick, the league looked very different when Nowitzki first arrived, with teams averaging 13.2 3-point attempts per game. In 2021-22, Curry is getting up more than that himself, launching 13.4 triples a night. 

"He changed the game, he makes it look too easy," Nowitzki said of Curry's shooting.

"He's the best shooter I’ve ever seen, and I think it's clear he is the best catch-and-shoot player, but where he's so good is off the dribble, and I think that's something that he added, the quick 3 off the dribble, it's one motion, and his shot is gone.

"He's so much fun to watch. I told stories before, we were in the playoffs and he's hot, and he's got me standing up and yelling at the TV, shoot, shoot. As soon as he crossed half-court, I'm yelling at him for him to shoot the ball. That's how much fun he is to watch, and everybody can root for him because he's not super athletically gifted, and he's a smaller guy.

"I think everybody can relate to him. He's a super nice guy. He's, of course, easy, easy to root for."

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Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.