These Are the NBA's Worst Three-Point Shooters Right Now

I know what you’re thinking: “You moron. The guy has scored 50,000 NBA points. How can you say he can’t shoot?”

First off, it’s 26,000 and change. But you’re right: it could be 50,000 … if he could shoot.

Don’t get me wrong – Westbrook is a Hall of Famer. It’s a remarkable achievement for someone who clearly has no idea why.

The nine-time All-Star is one of the NBA’s all-time greatest defensive players, a world-class ball distributor, an elite rim-attacker, and the best rebounder of all time for a guy 6-foot-4 or under.

He’s even shot 43.9% for his career, which isn’t terrible. Bill Russell made the Hall of Fame at 44.0%.

But it could be 44.9% (Rick Barry’s career number) … if you took away 500 of his 3-point misses.

Or 46.0% (Dominique Wilkins territory) if you took away 1,000.

The point is: when (not if) Westbrook gets his day in Springfield, it will be as the worst 3-point shooter in NBA history.

Last time I checked, Westbrook had misfired 3,148 times from beyond the arc. Unceremoniously, he passed Carmelo Anthony (3,142) on the all-time “clank” list the other night.

Seven current Hall of Famers remain “ahead” of him: Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk Nowitzki. Among that group, Kobe had the worst percentage (32.9%).

When the red carpet gets rolled up after Westbrook’s pending ceremony, there will be a new leader in the clubhouse. The current Sacramento King will become the NBA King of Clang, sitting at just 30.7%.

That, in a word, is awful. Embarrassing. Incredibly misguided.

Like Kobe, Charles Barkley, Isiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade, and Allen Iverson, Westbrook’s all-around brilliance has trumped his one big flaw.

Millions of other basketball players — whether they ever made the NBA or vented their frustration at YMCA-level competition — cannot say the same.

Almost universally, if you cannot shoot, there’s no room for you at the Superstar Inn.

The classic modern-day example is Ben Simmons. He’s an otherwise brilliant point guard who has made five 3-pointers in his entire career. FIVE.

At least he’s smart enough to launch only 36 of them. But is “smart” the right word?

A bad back is cutting short the former No. 1 overall pick’s career. But let’s be honest: ever since he passed up that layup in Game 7 of the 76ers’ playoff loss to the Hawks in 2021, he made a pronouncement that cut short his own career:

“YOU DON’T HAVE TO GUARD ME. I CAN’T SHOOT.”

Instead of shooting less, wouldn’t Simmons have been smarter to shoot more? More as in practice. Not more as in games.

Rather than think they could be the next Westbrook, today’s swish-challenged super-athletes should learn from Simmons: if you don’t start shooting better, you’ll never make it big-time in this league.

Can’t Throw It In The Ocean Starting Five

Dyson Daniels

The league’s “theft machine” earned NBA Most Improved Player honors last season, in part because he improved from 31.2% on 3-pointers in two seasons with the Pelicans to 34.0% with the Hawks. But he’s back to dunk (9-for-9) or bust (25.0% on threes) early this season, making him an offensive liability.

Ja Morant

This dynamo remains elite as a point-of-attack defender. But he’s caught Westbrook Disease. After thinking 32.7% from deep in his first three seasons was enough, he’s since dipped under the Magic Line (30%) at 29.3% on an increasing volume (5.5 per game this season at 16.7%).

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

His “do-everything” label at UCLA was a misnomer; NBA scouts noted his 30.0% accuracy on 3-pointers his last two seasons. Drafted 18th, he impressed into All-Rookie consideration, but still can’t shoot (17.4% on threes this season). He might want to call Magic Johnson for some tips.

Peyton Watson

At 6-foot-8, you could argue he’s the league’s best athlete. He runs, dunks, rebounds, blocks … but can’t shoot (23.5% on threes this season). Any improvement last year appears to be fading under new teammate Cam Johnson’s influence.

Amen Thompson

Count me among the youth coaches flattened by the Thompson twins. At halftime of an eighth-grade AAU game, I asked the local coach how to stop them. He said: “Paint a 3-point line; they aren’t shooters.” He was right. Ausar shows improvement (18.6% rookie, 22.4% last season, 30.8% this year). Amen? Not so much (25.0% this season).

Honorable Mentions: Ausar Thompson, Cam Johnson, Kyle Kuzma, Gary Payton II, Jalen Green.