Kyle Korver: The NBA’s Deadliest Shooter
By Tom West
Kyle Korver doesn’t normally receiver a lot of attention, but this year he’s on track for another record breaking season
Kyle Korver may not be the best all-around player in the NBA, but as a pure lights-out shooter he’s arguably the best in the league.
The Atlanta Hawks shooting guard is now in his 14th season, and has been reigning down a three-point barrage on his opponents year in and year out. With nine seasons totaling at least 100 made three-pointers, and eight seasons shooting over 40 percent from behind the arc, Korver has gained quite the reputation as a killer marksman.
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The résumé to back up Korver’s shooting career is really quite remarkable. He ranks 8th all time in career three-point percentage (42.8%) and is 17th all time in total three-pointers made. He holds the all-time record for the highest three-point percentage in a season, when he made 53.6 percent of his shots from downtown in 2009-10. And if that wasn’t enough, he has the longest streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer in NBA history, of 127 games.
Dec 3, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) shoots over Miami Heat forward
Udonis Haslem(40) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Just stop and think about all the great shooters we’ve seen throughout NBA history. Kyle Korver ranking so high against so many legends, with all these records in the bag, puts him in some pretty elite company.
Obviously a smooth stroke and accuracy are vital for being a good shooter, but shot selection is just as important for a marksman from behind the arc. One man who does that better than pretty much anyone right now, is none other than Kyle Korver. If you want a little sample of some of his lights-out shooting, then click here.
After his first 17 games of the 2014 season, Korver is on pace for his most efficient year ever. He very may well cool down a bit, as we aren’t quite a quarter of the way through the year yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if his efficiency in 2014 is the best of his career.
Making three 3’s per game, Korver is averaging 9 of his 13.8 points per game from behind the arc, and that’s not even the most impressive part of his hot start to the season.
Korver isn’t shy shooting from deep, and is averaging 5.3 attempts a game. As I mentioned, he holds the all-time record for the highest three-point percentage in a season, and he’s well above that mark this year, shooting 56.7 percent from downtown. Loads of players can get that hot over a few game stretch, not many can do that for 17 games or a full season like Korver can.
Dec 6, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kyle Korver (26) attempts a three over Cleveland Cavaliers small forward
Alonzo Gee(33) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
To put that into perspective, Korver is shooting about 15 percent better from three-point range than top shooters like Stephen Curry and Danny Green. Not to mention Korver is also third in total 3’s made this year, so he’s playing with quality and quantity. Add on his 95 percent free throw percentage this year and Korver is by far the most efficient scorer this season.
Even though he’s averaging a respectable 13.8 points per game, Korver has still fallen into the shadows of the NBA’s superstars. Achievements, such as having the best true shooting percentage (65.3%) in the league last year, and currently demolishing that mark with 76 percent this year, are accolades that are often forgotten around the basketball world.
It may still be relatively early in the season, but if there’s one man with the ability to maintain incredible shooting form it’s Kyle Korver. He’s perfected his craft so much that the only thing left for him to do it seems is break NBA records…a few that he’s broken already.
It’s not long since we saw him destroy the record of consecutive games with a three-pointer, and this looks like another year we should be on a Korver record watch.
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