Source: NBA 2K19
In today's NBA, outside shooting rules all. It's now important for every position to be a perimeter threat, so this is a list of active players you cannot leave open outside. These are the top-rated players in the game based on the 3-point stat.
Stephen Curry (OVR 95)
Position: PG
Team: Golden State Warriors
3PT Open Stat: 99
3PT Contested Stat: 98
3PT Move Stat: 98
King of the 3-ball is essentially what we have in Curry. Calling him the greatest 3-point shooter of all time is not a stretch by any means. He continues to hit from ridiculous range and averaged 4.2 3-pointers made last season on 42.3% shooting from outside.
Klay Thompson (OVR 89)
Position: SG
Team: Golden State Warriors
3PT Open Stat: 97
3PT Contested Stat: 96
3PT Move Stat: 85
It just doesn't seem fair to have the top 3 2K19 shooters on the same team, but this is the reality of the modern NBA. Averaging 3.1 3-pointers made on 44% shooting from outside is ridiculous on its own. If Thompson played in any era in which Curry did not play, he'd likely be the league's leading shooter.
Kevin Durant (OVR 97)
Position: SF
Team: Golden State Warriors
3PT Open Stat: 90
3PT Contested Stat: 90
3PT Move Stat: 90
Not only is KD a monster across the board, but his 3-point shooting is ridiculous as well. While he only averaged 2.5 3-pointers made this season (low compared to his teammates), he still knocked down 41.9% of his attempts from outside. Volume shooting is not the key for Durant, but his efficiency is what stands out.
Kyle Korver (OVR 75)
Position: SG
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
3PT Open Stat: 89
3PT Contested Stat: 89
3PT Move Stat: 79
Korver is the stereotypical old-guy shooter, having played in the league since 2003. Last season he average 2.2 shots made from outside on 43.6% shooting. He may have lost a step over the years, but his outside shooting remains elite.
Reggie Bullock (OVR 76)
Position: SF
Team: Detroit Pistons
3PT Open Stat: 88
3PT Contested Stat: 88
3PT Move Stat: 79
Bullock is not a big name player around the league and only started to develop a major role last season. He made the most of 27.9 mins played per game by averaging two 3-pointers made per game on 44.5% shooting.
Kyrie Irving (OVR 94)
Position: PG
Team: Boston Celtics
3PT Open Stat: 87
3PT Contested Stat: 87
3PT Move Stat: 87
Another all-star makes this list, something you will notice is a big difference when compared to the top dunkers in the game. Irving knocked down an average of 2.8 3-pointers per game on 40.8% shooting. Compared to some of the other shooters on the lists, he is doing it all for his team as the leading point guard and player in Boston.
C. J. McCollum (OVR 87)
Position: SG
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
3PT Open Stat: 87
3PT Contested Stat: 87
3PT Move Stat: 85
It is interesting that NBA 2K would give McCollum better 3-point ratings than his backcourt mate Damian Lillard. While he did knock down 2.3 3-pointers per game last season (compared to Lillard's 3.1), he was more efficient with 39.7% shooting (compared to Lillard 36.1%). Maybe this is the reason for the rating difference.
Jayson Tatum (OVR 87)
Position: SF
Team: Boston Celtics
3PT Open Stat: 87
3PT Contested Stat: 87
3PT Move Stat: 86
It seems like this young stud is popping up on quite a lot of top rating lists. Efficiency is key here, as he knocks down 43.4% of his outside attempts. While his volume is low (1.3 makes), the depth of his team does not require him to shoot a lot.
Joe Harris (OVR 75)
Position: SG
Team: Brooklyn Nets
3PT Open Stat: 87
3PT Contested Stat: 86
3PT Move Stat: 81
Harris is another lesser-known shooter in the league. He only played 25.3 minutes per game, but knocks down 1.9 makes on 41.9% shooting from outside. When he gets in the game and is called on to shoot, he makes the most of it.
James Harden (OVR 96)
Position: SG
Team: Houston Rockets
3PT Open Stat: 85
3PT Contested Stat: 85
3PT Move Stat: 85
Harden's ability to knock down shots from outside is what makes his driving potential even better. No matter how you guard him, he will find a way to punish you. He piled on the makes last season with 3.7 per game, but only on 36.7% shooting.