Golden State Warriors’ rugged defender Draymond Green, famous for his unconventional shooting style known as the “backpack trey,” recently surpassed the career 3-point shooting record of Boston Celtics’ iconic shooter Larry Bird.
While Green is primarily recognized for his defensive prowess and occasionally eccentric behavior on the court, Bird is revered as one of the greatest shooters in basketball history.
During the Warriors’ recent victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, Green surpassed Bird’s 3-point record, totaling 650 career 3-pointers compared to Bird’s 649, as reported by NBA Central.
Throughout his 12-year career, Green has attempted an average of 2.6 shots from beyond the arc per game, shooting at a 32.0% accuracy rate. In contrast, Bird, in his 13 seasons, attempted an average of 1.9 3-pointers per game, boasting an impressive 37.6% shooting percentage.
Despite Green’s recent inconsistency in shooting, marked by a decline in his 3-point shooting percentage between 2018 and the 2021-22 season, he currently maintains a respectable 43.5% shooting percentage from beyond the arc this season.
The evolution of the NBA has led to a greater emphasis on offensive play and an increase in 3-point attempts by players. This shift in strategy, combined with rule changes promoting a faster-paced game, has contributed to Green’s surpassing of Bird’s career 3-point record, despite differences in shooting proficiency between the two players.
