Out of the hundreds of players that played for the Philadelphia 76ers, which should be considered as the best 3-point shooters in the history of the franchise?
Since the 3-point shot was introduced by the American Basketball Association in the 1960s, it has gone from a novelty of the game to a revolutionary strategy for point production. It has come to define some NBA teams and even dictates their style of play.
The Philadelphia 76ers have never gotten to that point, but it is true that the 3-point shot is a threat to opponents for a variety of reasons. Over the past three decades, there have been several Sixer players who specialized in the 3-point shot. We will explore five of the top 3-point specialists who played for the 76ers.
5. Robert Covington
Robert Covington played for the Sixers during the “Process years”. He was undrafted out of Tennessee State and made the most of his opportunity under Brett Brown. He would later evolve into a nice defensive player, but he would be mostly known as a threat from beyond the arc.
He would probably be higher on this list if he was not so streaky and had a higher shooting percentage. His Sixer career average is 35 percent, attempting close to 2,000 shots beyond the 3-point line. The volume of shots he took after Brett Brown gave him the greenlight to chuck up 3s is astounding.
Covington would make so many 3-pointers that he would become the second leading 3-point shot maker in the history of the franchise, trailing only Allen Iverson, who played over a decade with the Sixers.
4. Hersey Hawkins
Hersey Hawkins was drafted out of Bradley University as was one of the most prolific college scorers in the nation. After a decent rookie season where he averaged 15 points a game, he really began to flourish next to Charles Barkley.
Hawkins was an excellent second option scorer for a Sixers team that was competitive in the late 80s and early 90s. Hawkins developed an excellent perimeter game, and his 3-point shooting became a major threat against opposing defenses.
In five years as a 76er, Hersey Hawkins shot 40 percent from the 3-point line, making 476 of his 1,072 attempts. He was traded out of Philadelphia and played for Charlotte, Seattle, and Chicago, but continued his sharp shooting for the duration of his career.
Although he just missed a championship with the 1996 Supersonics, Hersey Hawkins will always be remembered in Philly as one of the best 3-point shooters to put on a Sixers uniform.
3. Dana Barros
In the 90s, 3-point shooting was not even close to being as popular as a shot as it is today. However, when the 76ers had Dana Barros, they knew they could depend on his sharp shooting.
As an undersized point guard, he was deceptive off the dribble and stronger than most players his size. He came to Philly from the Supersonics and was arguably the Sixers’ best player for several years after the Charles Barkley trade. He competed in multiple 3-point contests and even made one All-Star appearance as a 76er.
Barros’ best year as a Sixer, and as a pro, was in 1994-95, when he averaged 2.4 made 3-pointers per game on 46% of those shots. In his Sixer career, he shot 332-779 from three.
2. J.J. Redick
When the 76ers signed J.J. Redick in the 2017 offseason, Sixer fans had high hopes for his fit with their young team. He came to Philadelphia as a 3-point marksman. He did not disappoint. He picked up where he left off in Los Angeles, putting up excellent numbers as the shooting guard for the Sixers.
The threat of him sniping opponents beyond the arc provided much welcomed space for young center Joel Embiid. Redick’s shooting technique was so fluid, most fans would agree that whenever he shot the ball, confidence was high that he would make it.
Although he solved a lot of spacing issues for the Sixers, his knock was his defensive liability. It could be why Elton Brand decided not to bring Redick back in the summer of 2019. It is a shame because Redick was a fan favorite. Redick’s 3-point numbers when he was a 76er? In just two seasons, he shot 40 percent and attempted 1,065 shots. His last season as a Sixer, he averaged eight 3-pointers a game! Since then, he took his talents to New Orleans and now snipes alongside Zion Williamson.
Kyle Korver
Kyle Korver was drafted by the Sixers in 2003. Immediately, his strength was evident, his role apparent — make defenses pay from the 3-point line.
A graduate from Creighton, Korver had a smooth stroke coming into the league. Not much of a penetrator or finisher, but it didn’t matter. The Sixers didn’t need him to be. He was much deadlier setting up for 3s and opening up the lane for Iverson.
He was quickly given the nickname “Sniper” by Iverson, and he played with the 76ers for five seasons. He put up excellent numbers as a 3-point specialist, making 40 percent of his shots, going 661-for-1,618. He would go on to play for several teams and championship contenders. However, Korver has yet to win a title.
Agree with the order of players? Was there a 3-point specialist left off the list? Let us know in the comment section.