Stephen Curry’s incredible journey to becoming the first player in NBA history to make 4,000 career three-pointers is a remarkable testament to his skills, work ethic, and the evolution of basketball itself. His journey isn’t just about breaking a record—it’s about revolutionizing the game. As Curry stands on the verge of this historic achievement, it’s worth reflecting on how this milestone is more than just numbers. It’s a reflection of how his style of play has reshaped the NBA, elevated the Golden State Warriors to new heights, and inspired an entire generation of players and fans.
Early Beginnings: A Rise from the Unlikely
Stephen Curry’s path to NBA stardom was anything but conventional. Born in Akron, Ohio, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Curry grew up around basketball. His father, Dell Curry, was a longtime NBA player, and his mother, Sonya, was an athlete as well. From a young age, Curry showed a deep love for the game, but he didn’t fit the mold of a typical basketball prodigy.
Curry wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school. At 6’2” and 180 pounds, he was undersized and not considered athletic enough by many major college programs. He eventually landed at Davidson College, a mid-major school, where he was able to showcase his shooting prowess on the national stage. In the 2008 NCAA Tournament, Curry led Davidson to the Elite Eight, pulling off upset wins over Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin. His shooting range, court awareness, and ability to create shots from anywhere on the floor made him one of the most exciting players in college basketball.
Despite his college success, Curry entered the NBA Draft with many questions about his size and whether he could make an impact at the highest level. When the Golden State Warriors selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, many people were skeptical. But Curry’s work ethic, basketball IQ, and unmatched shooting ability quickly silenced the critics.
Revolutionizing the Game: The Rise of the Three-Point Revolution
When Curry first entered the league, the three-point shot was already a part of the game, but it wasn’t the focal point. Players who could shoot from deep were considered specialists, and most teams were focused on traditional inside play. Curry’s impact on the game began subtly, but over time, it became undeniable. He wasn’t just shooting three-pointers; he was changing how the entire NBA approached offense.
From the start, Curry showed his exceptional shooting range and accuracy. In his second season, Curry broke the Warriors’ single-season three-point record with 166 made three-pointers. However, it was the 2012-2013 season when Curry truly announced his arrival as one of the best shooters in NBA history. That season, Curry made an NBA-record 272 three-pointers in a single season, shattering the previous mark of 269 held by Ray Allen. The record-breaking moment marked a turning point not just in Curry’s career but in the NBA itself. The three-point shot was no longer just a complementary tool—it was becoming the centerpiece of modern offenses.
The Warriors, under head coach Steve Kerr, quickly embraced a style of play built around spacing, ball movement, and, most importantly, the three-point shot. The team surrounding Curry was perfectly constructed for this new era. With players like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors became the blueprint for the “positionless” style of basketball, one where the three-point shot was the primary weapon. Their success culminated in winning the 2015 NBA Championship, the first in 40 years for the franchise. Curry was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2015 and again in 2016, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s best players.
As Curry and the Warriors continued to dominate, the rest of the NBA took notice. More and more teams began to incorporate the three-point shot into their offenses. The Houston Rockets, led by general manager Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni, went all-in on the “three-and-D” approach, focusing on a high volume of three-point attempts. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics also began to adopt more perimeter-oriented offenses. The success of the Warriors, particularly in their 2015-2016 season where they set an NBA-record 73 regular-season wins, only served to further cement the three-point revolution.
By the time the 2018-2019 season rolled around, Curry was the undisputed leader of the league’s three-point movement. His ability to make shots from anywhere on the court—often with a defender draped all over him, and even from several feet beyond the arc—became the blueprint for future generations. What was once considered a high-risk shot was now the centerpiece of winning basketball.
The Statistical Milestone: Reaching 4,000 Three-Pointers Made
As of the 2024-2025 season, Stephen Curry is poised to become the first player in NBA history to reach 4,000 career three-pointers made. This milestone is not just an individual achievement but a historical moment in the game of basketball. Curry’s ability to make 4,000 three-pointers speaks to his longevity, consistency, and mastery of the shot. It’s a mark that, in many ways, was once thought impossible to reach.
When Curry entered the NBA, the record for most career three-pointers made was held by Ray Allen, with 2,973. At the time, it seemed like an unreachable number for anyone to surpass. Allen was known for his precision and ability to come through in clutch moments, particularly in the NBA Finals. However, Curry’s evolution as a player, coupled with the Warriors’ high-paced offense, set him on a trajectory to not just break Allen’s record but shatter it.
In 2021, Curry passed Allen to become the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made. At the time, it felt like a defining moment for Curry’s legacy, but he wasn’t done yet. Since then, Curry has continued to extend his lead over the next closest player, James Harden, further cementing his place in history. As he closes in on 4,000 career three-pointers, Curry’s influence on the game is undeniable. Players from high school to the NBA are now striving to replicate his shooting form and range, and teams are building their offenses around his style of play.
This achievement also serves as a reminder of the evolution of the game itself. When Curry entered the league, shooting a three-pointer was seen as a risk. Now, it’s considered an essential part of the game, and players across the NBA—whether they’re point guards, shooting guards, or even centers—are taking and making more three-pointers than ever before. The NBA has embraced a “positionless” style of basketball, and players like Curry have been the driving force behind this shift.
The Impact on the Golden State Warriors
Curry’s 4,000 three-pointers made milestone also represents the success and transformation of the Golden State Warriors franchise. In 2010, when Curry was drafted by the Warriors, the team was struggling to find its identity. The Warriors had missed the playoffs for several years and had yet to establish themselves as contenders in the Western Conference. Now, the team is synonymous with championships and dynastic success, having won four NBA titles (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) during the Curry era.
Curry’s rise to stardom turned the Warriors into a basketball powerhouse. Alongside Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, Curry helped lead the team to dominance, creating one of the most iconic three-man lineups in NBA history. Together, they redefined what it meant to play “team basketball,” with unselfish passing, constant movement off the ball, and the offensive system revolving around the three-point shot. The Warriors’ success has made them one of the most beloved and influential franchises in the league, and Curry’s leadership on and off the court has played a significant role in their rise to prominence.
But Curry’s influence extends beyond the Warriors’ success. As one of the most marketable athletes in the world, Curry has used his platform to become a global ambassador for basketball. He has helped elevate the NBA’s profile across the globe, particularly in countries like China, where the Warriors’ style of play has found a particularly receptive audience. Curry’s humble demeanor and charitable endeavors have made him a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide.
Looking to the Future: More Records on the Horizon
As Stephen Curry approaches the milestone of 4,000 career three-pointers made, it’s clear that this is not the end of his legacy. While no one knows exactly how long Curry will continue to play, his influence on the game is likely to last long after he hangs up his sneakers. Future generations of players will continue to try to emulate his shooting ability, and coaches will continue to adjust their systems to account for the changes Curry has helped bring about.
Curry has already surpassed Allen’s career three-point record, but records are made to be broken. While it may take years for another player to approach 4,000 career three-pointers, Curry’s dominance of the three-point shot may remain unchallenged for the foreseeable future. As he adds more records to his name, including potentially more championships and MVPs, his place in NBA history is already secure.
The 4,000 three-pointer milestone is not just about the numbers—it’s about the way Curry has transformed the game, both on and off the court. His journey from an overlooked prospect to the greatest shooter in NBA history is one of the most inspiring stories in sports. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and believing in yourself when others might doubt you.
As Curry takes his place in history as the first player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, the world will be reminded of just how much one player can change the game. The NBA has evolved because of him, and for basketball fans, the sky is the limit for what this incredible player will achieve next.
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