Unlike the endless GOAT debate, the discussion over the greatest NBA shooters of all time seems far more straightforward.
The upper echelon of this list includes Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, and James Harden, among others, with the Golden State Warriors legend widely regarded as the greatest in NBA history. Fans and pundits have also recognized elite snipers from previous generations, including all-time greats like Larry Bird, who remain firmly in the discussion.
While there is still room for debate, the names at the top of the list are generally established. Now, an intriguing and rather unpopular name has entered the conversation thanks to NBA player Max Strus: Duncan Robinson.
'Duncan's got it. One of the best I've ever seen,' Strus said on Link with JB. 'I think he's up there with Steph Curry, to be honest with you. Phenomenal.'
Robinson went undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, but he managed to make the Heat roster after impressing them during the summer league. Strus followed a similar route, going undrafted in 2019 before eventually joining Miami in the 2020-2021 season.
By the time Strus got to team up with Robinson, the Michigan Wolverines product was already an established shooter around the league. The two shooters went on to play together for three seasons. During that short stint, Max got to witness Duncan's lethal marksmanship in games and behind the scenes.
'If you go watch him work out in a shooting drill, or just any shooting workout, doesn't miss and the makes are like, just like pure,' he said.
After that season, Strus was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Robinson remained with the Heat for two more seasons. Now, Strus is on his fourth team, but he continues to carry the lessons his early mentor taught him.
Strus credited Robinson with helping him see the value of shooting and motivating him to perfect the craft. Since then, he has embraced it as his main weapon on the court, shooting a career 37.0 percent from deep, including a 40.2 percent last season with the Cavaliers.
'He took me under his wing the minute I got there. We kind of had a similar path. We kind of came from the same place, and we kind of connected on that,' Strus said. 'He was great for my career, and one of the best I've ever seen shoot the basketball.'
Strus' take should be taken with a grain of salt. Although Robinson is a solid shooter in his own right, he has a long, long way to go to be even mentioned under the same breath as the likes of Curry, Miller and Allen.
The Detroit Pistons shooting guard has been in the league for eight years now and has established himself as a reliable contributor on offense, averaging 12.2 points on 45.6 percent shooting from the field.
Duncan has shot 39.9 percent from beyond the arc in his career, including 41.0 percent last season. Throughout his career, he has made a total of 1,422 triples. Robinson also holds the Heat franchise record with 1,202.
Meanwhile, the resumes of other players included in the conversation speak for themselves. Curry is the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made with 4,248, while Harden and Allen rank behind him. Thompson and Lillard have 3-point Contest titles under their belts, along with several records.
Simply put: putting Robinson in the same tier as these great shooters remains a considerable stretch. It will take several more years for him to become worthy of entering the debate.
However, to Strus' eyes, it doesn't matter; Robinson is already there with Curry.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published September 8, 2026 at 12:39 PM.
(0)Comments