Dirk Nowitzki says nobody will pass Stephen Curry's 3-point record: 'He changed the game'

From one all-time great shooter to another, Dirk Nowitzki says Stephen Curry sits in a class of his own. 

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Curry has just surpassed Ray Allen to become the NBA's all-time record holder in 3-pointers made, and according to the Dallas Mavericks legend, Curry's shooting records will be impossible to catch.

"STEPHEN CURRY...THE ALL-TIME THREE-POINT KING IN THE NBA."

History.#NBA75 pic.twitter.com/8SawFh2QFk

— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2021

"I don't think there's anybody in sight now that can break his record," Nowitzki said on a videoconference with global NBA media.

"I mean, the way he's been -- at the clip that he's shooting now is just fantastic and fun to watch. In a way, he's changed the game. He's changed the game to where these kids now shoot from and consistently shoot way, way behind the 3-point line. We have guys now pulling up just after halfcourt and they're open and they're letting it go, stuff that you would have never seen when I started to play."

All-time 3-pointers made

Nowitzki, who sits 13th on the all-time list himself with 1,982 triples across his decorated 21-year NBA career, holds a special place in history as the only big man in the top 20 all-time.

Entering the league in 1998 after being drafted by the Mavericks with the No. 9 pick, the league looked very different when Nowitzki first arrived, with teams averaging 13.2 3-point attempts per game. In 2021-22, Curry is getting up more than that himself, launching 13.4 triples a night. 

"He changed the game, he makes it look too easy," Nowitzki said of Curry's shooting.

"He's the best shooter I’ve ever seen, and I think it's clear he is the best catch-and-shoot player, but where he's so good is off the dribble, and I think that's something that he added, the quick 3 off the dribble, it's one motion, and his shot is gone.

"He's so much fun to watch. I told stories before, we were in the playoffs and he's hot, and he's got me standing up and yelling at the TV, shoot, shoot. As soon as he crossed half-court, I'm yelling at him for him to shoot the ball. That's how much fun he is to watch, and everybody can root for him because he's not super athletically gifted, and he's a smaller guy.

"I think everybody can relate to him. He's a super nice guy. He's, of course, easy, easy to root for."

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