There is no doubting former San Antonio Spurs player Dale Ellis is one of the best shooters to play 
in the NBA. But would you consider him the best shooter of all time when other fantastic shooters such as Reggie Miller, Larry Bird, or Ray Allen played the game?
Well Ellis sure thinks he is and with that, take it away Ellis:
“I’m the best shooter of all time,’’ he said. “I know that from the jump. I set the standard. I gave them something to shoot for. I was the first player in the history of the game to get 1,000 3-pointers. To be able to play on that level, you have to have that attitude about yourself. You can say it’s arrogant or cocky or whatever, but that’s OK. There’s no way you can compete without it. There’s no way you can excel without that confidence level.’’
While with the Spurs, Ellis shot 49% from the field, and 40% from the three point line in 82 games in the 1992-1993 NBA season. In his final season with San Antonio, he shot 49% from the field, and 39% from the three point line in 77 games for the Spurs during 1993-1994 NBA season.
Need more info before you make a determination? Check this out from Yahoo! Sports:
But he’s also ranked 24th all time in three-point percentage, at 40.3 percent — though those looking to nit-pick should note that he actually shot below his averages when the line was moved in to 22 feet from 1994-1997. He’s ranked 84th in True Shooting Percentage (which accounts for two-pointers and free throws) with about 30 or so pure shooters (that is to say, those whose stats aren’t pumped up by dunks are high-percentage drives) ranked ahead of him.
Though the numbers and stats do back Ellis up but would you consider him the best of all time? He does rank sixth best on the all-time 3-point list but is that enough for you to say Ellis is the best ever?
And while we are on the topic? Who would you consider the best shooter all time form the Spurs?
(photo: sports illustrated)
(h/t yahoo! sports)
