Larry ‘Legend’ Bird

The response to my recent post in which I listed my top 10 all-time best shooters has been incredible. I thank each of you for taking the time to vote for the best shooter you ever saw. (That was the main purpose for the post.) Most of you gave me a legitimate player who no basketball fan could argue with. However, I don’t think some of you read the post. I DID NOT ask for the best scorer OR the best player. As much as I like Wilt Chamberlain, and he certainly is in the top four as the GOAT, I believe some of you get carried away with all his points, records, and just the hype. I am 79 years old, and I saw him play a hundred times. Before I began my research for my book in 2022, I said he was the greatest to ever play. But as I have stated in my posts and in my book, after spending 10 months in preparation for my book, I was convinced that another player was more deserving to be named the GOAT. I understand and I am good with anyone who considers him the greatest. I do not claim to be the judge and jury on basketball. I do not want to get too far into the “weeds” about Wilt, but he played in an era where there were only 8 teams, most of his shots were around the basket, some follow-away jumpers, he made .511 percent of his free throws, and the competition was not even close to what it is today. Wilt Chamberlain was/is an icon but, in my opinion, he was not a great SHOOTER. The only reason I am singling out Wilt is because some of you get personal and critical with anyone opposing your opinion about him. I NEVER put something out there without doing some research and giving a thoughtful reason(s) for what I say. I never make it personal, or do I disrespect anyone who has an opposing opinion or viewpoint. I know “fans” stands for fanatics but that does not give anyone a license to disparage another person. We all have two things in common, we love the game of basketball, and we have an opinion. I have a friend, an NBA savant, who refuses to comment on social media because of the HATERS. We may differ on our favorite teams or players, but in the final analysis it is just a game.

So, after only 3 days, I thought I would post the rankings for the best shooter. In order of votes: Bird, Curry, Maravich, Wilt, Allen, Durant, Jordan, West, Barry, Jabbar, Miller, Lillard, Dirk, Mount, Kobe, Oscar  

At the risk of “overload”, here is my top 5. 

                2PT%    3PT%     FT%      PTS 

Curry       .523      .426      .910        24.8  

Bird         .496      .376      .886        24.3 

Durant   .501       .387      .884        27.3 

Allen       .452      .400      .894        18.9 

Miller     .471       .395      .888        18.2 

Again, I appreciate MOST of your comments and hope you continue to vote for who you think is the greatest SHOOTER of all time. Next: Best Defender