The Atlanta Hawks are the NBA’s surprise team this season, and a big reason for their success has been the play of three-point extraordinaire, Kyle Korver.
Korver wasn’t a highly-touted NBA prospect coming out of College. It’s remarkable considering his 371 made three-pointers are tied for sixth in NCAA history, and he was a second-team All-American his senior year at Creighton.
Korver was drafted 51st by the New Jersey Nets–New Jersey would trade his rights to Philadelphia during a draft-night trade–during the 2003 NBA Draft, and his play has far exceeded his second-round selection. During his career, Korver has played with four organizations, they include Philadelphia, Utah, Chicago, and Atlanta.
While never truly establishing dominance on any team, Korver’s ability to shoot the three was clear, as early as his second NBA season. Korver made 226 three-pointers during the 2004-05 campaign, which is a 76ers franchise record. The 2009-10 season (Utah Jazz) saw Korver set a new NBA record making 53.6 percent of his three-point attempts.
After his time in Utah, Korver signed with the Chicago Bulls as a free agent, and played with the team until 2012 when he was sent to Atlanta in a deal for Kirk Hinrich. Atlanta has proven to be Korver’s most successful NBA stop, as he was part of one of the most historic records in NBA history, making a three-point shot in a record 127 games.
Putting the records aside, Korver has been a key catalyst for this Hawks team.
His 12 points a game, and 3.1 three point baskets per contest, make Korver one of the best role players–and shooters–in the NBA today.