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NETS HISTORY: Joe Harris becomes all-time franchise leader in 3-pointers made

By Chris Milholen
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Washington Wizards v Brooklyn Nets Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Joe Harris stands alone at the top, becoming the Nets' all-time leader in 3-pointers made, passing Jason Kidd’s record of 813 made threes.

Harris entered Wednesday night’s game against the Heat trailing Kidd by only three three-pointers and it didn’t take long for him to knock them down, setting the record with his third three at the 11:09 mark of the third. With the league heavily relying on three’s in the modern NBA, it took Harris a total of 349 games in black-and-white to set the record — 157 fewer than Kidd.

“It means a lot. For me coming to Brooklyn, it’s not something I necessarily thought was going to happen at any point in time. I’m fortunate for a lot of things. One, to be here long enough. I’m fortunate the game has shifted in a way where we take a lot of threes and then, individual accolades; this is a team game. It doesn’t happen if it’s not for a lot of other great players, coaches, and personnel around you,” said Harris on setting the Nets’ franchise record for threes made.

Prior to the game, Steve Nash, who was an excellent 3-point shooter himself — he’s No. 26 all-time — during his career, praised Harris’ dedication and discipline to his craft as the record-setting moment was foreseeable.

“He’s an elite shooter for a reason. His dedication and discipline to do it every day is outstanding and that’s why he is where he is. I don’t think anyone thought when he was in high school or college he’d be the Nets all-time leader in three-pointers,” said Nash prior to Wednesday’s game vs. the Heat.

“That’s just a tribute to how dedicated, how much he’s willing to sacrifice to continue to grow as a player and be in that type of category.”

Washington Wizards v Brooklyn Nets Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The longest-tenured Net also ranks first in 3-point percentage (44.0 percent in six seasons) with Kevin Durant (43.8 percent in two) right behind him, followed by Drazen Petrovic in third (with 43.7 percent in three.)

After being traded by the Cavs and cut by the Magic in a single day in February 2016, Harris agreed to a vets minimum deal with the Nets that summer, one of Sean Marks’ first signings. Since then, he’s become one of the game’s best deep shooters.

“I’m lucky to come to a spot where I was afforded the opportunity as a young player and grow through a lot of mistakes. You grow and figure it out along the way but like I said earlier too, it’s more about the people around you that make the individual player,” Harris said. “Coming here and having a lot of great coaches and teammates, that’s what fosters great individual talent.”

Kevin Durant congratulated Harris following the Nets 106-93 defeat to the Heat. Durant spoke about the growth he’s seen from his sharpshooting teammate since he entered the league.

“He wants to be good and wants to be an impactful player every day and that shows in his individual work ethic and his attention to detail. Joe has grown so far since his UVA day, his Cleveland Cavalier days and once he came here, they worked with him so much, he understood who he was as a player and grow within that role,” said Durant on Harris’ growth.

“To lead the franchise in three-point makes is an amazing accomplishment for somebody from I don’t know what town in Washington,” Durant joked. “I’m happy for him.”

It is very early but it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Harris and his 3-point shooting touch through the Nets' first four games of the season (10-of-29). The Nets sharpshooter is shooting only 34.5 percent from behind the arc on 7.3 attempts per game. Although Harris finished the 2020-21 season shooting a career-high and franchise-record 47.5 percent from three, he struggled shooting in the playoffs (40.2 percent), especially against Milwaukee in the second round — 8-of-33 from deep and 11-of-44 overall.

The Nets head coach said how Harris has had to adjust to new teammates as well as different spacing. Nash is confident his 6’6” wing will turn it around and provide the regular shooting punch to the team.

“I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. You also got to remember it’s really early. Just a new group finding itself. Maybe hasn’t had two or three games in a row where he shoots lights out like we’re accustomed to but that's coming,” said Nash on Harris’ struggles.

“He looks great and you still feel like it’s going in every time he shoots it. I have tons of confidence in him and by the end of the year, he’ll be in his standard range. We’ll benefit greatly from his shooting and all the other things he brings to the table.”

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