Great shooters understand the history of the shot.

When I spoke with Klay Thompson, the conversation naturally shifted toward the three point milestone that sits within reach. Thompson is closing in on third place on the NBA’s all time regular season three point list, a spot currently held by Ray Allen.

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But the discussion quickly became less about passing the number and more about appreciating the player who set it.

Thompson spoke with clear admiration for Allen and the impact he had on the modern game. Allen helped define the role of the elite perimeter shooter during a time when the three point shot was still evolving into the weapon it is today.

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His movement without the ball, disciplined mechanics, and consistency became a model for the next generation.

Thompson represents that evolution.

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Over the course of his career he has produced some of the most remarkable shooting displays the NBA has ever seen. Nights where the rim seemed to widen and every release felt automatic.

Yet the respect for the lineage of great shooters remains clear.

The three point shot continues to reshape how basketball is played, and players like Ray Allen laid the foundation for that transformation. As Thompson approaches another milestone, the moment serves as a reminder that greatness in the NBA often builds from one generation to the next.