When NBA fans argue about the greatest shooter in history, the conversation almost always circles back to Stephen Curry. His unique combination of range, volume, and accuracy has completely reshaped the way basketball is played.

The Golden State Warriors guard has redefined what a shooter can be. His influence stretches beyond his own franchise and has transformed the very identity of the modern NBA.

But here’s the twist. Even with his reputation as the greatest shooter of all time, Curry does not rank first in every shooting statistic. One surprising example is true shooting percentage, a measure of overall scoring efficiency that accounts for twos, threes, and free throws.

Shockingly, in this metric, Curry is edged out by Nikola Jokic, the superstar center of the Denver Nuggets.

What Exactly Is True Shooting Percentage?

To understand why this matters, we need to define what true shooting percentage (TS%) really is.

Traditional field goal percentage has long been the go-to number for scoring efficiency. But as the game evolved, especially with the explosion of the three-point shot, analysts sought something more complete.

True shooting percentage was designed to solve that problem. It gives proper value to every type of scoring opportunity. A three-pointer is weighted more than a two-pointer because it is worth more. Free throws are also included in the calculation, something that traditional field goal percentage ignores.

The result is a statistic that paints a fuller picture of a player’s scoring ability. Instead of just showing whether a player is accurate, it shows how effectively they turn their shot attempts into points.

Nikola Jokic’s Surprising Advantage

According to career numbers, Nikola Jokic owns a 63.8 percent true shooting percentage, slightly ahead of Stephen Curry’s 62.5 percent.

At first glance, this might look like proof that Jokic is the more efficient scorer. For fans who see Curry as the ultimate shooting icon, it may even be a shock.

But context changes everything. Jokic is a center, and that matters. Centers typically take shots close to the rim. These high-percentage opportunities naturally inflate efficiency numbers.

Yes, Jokic can step outside and knock down three-pointers, but the majority of his points still come inside the paint. That gives him a statistical edge in TS%.

Meanwhile, Curry lives on the perimeter, taking long-range threes, contested jumpers, and off-the-dribble shots. These are among the hardest attempts in basketball. Yet his efficiency still nearly matches Jokic’s.

That is where the real story lies.

Why This Stat Actually Highlights Curry’s Greatness

On the surface, the numbers suggest that Jokic is the more efficient scorer. But when you dig deeper, the statistic actually proves how historic Curry’s shooting is.

Most of the players at the top of the true shooting percentage leaderboard are big men. Names like Zion Williamson and Karl-Anthony Towns appear because they get easy looks near the rim. That is why their efficiency is so high.

For a guard like Curry to even appear in this conversation is almost unheard of. Guards typically face more defensive pressure, take harder shots, and rely heavily on jump shooting. Yet Curry’s efficiency is right there with the most dominant big men in the game.

This shows that Curry is not only the best shooter of all time, he is also one of the most efficient scorers ever, despite attempting the most difficult shots imaginable.

Volume and Difficulty Separate Curry From the Rest

Another crucial factor is shot volume. Nikola Jokic attempts fewer than five three-pointers per game. Stephen Curry averages more than eleven.

That massive difference changes everything. Curry is not only efficient, he is efficient on a much larger scale. He is hitting shots from thirty feet, off the dribble, and often with defenders smothering him.

Imagine maintaining an elite true shooting percentage while constantly taking the hardest shots on the floor. That is exactly what Curry does. Jokic benefits from efficiency near the basket. Curry manufactures efficiency from distances no other player would even attempt.

This is why the statistic, instead of exposing a weakness in Curry’s game, actually magnifies his greatness.

The Curry Effect on the Modern NBA

Beyond the numbers, Stephen Curry’s impact on basketball is impossible to overstate.

He is the reason defenses must stretch out to guard players far beyond the three-point line. His gravity on the court bends defenses in ways that create opportunities for every teammate. His shooting doesn’t just score points—it rewrites strategy.

While Nikola Jokic is also transformative in his own way as a passing big man, his style does not change defensive schemes to the same extent. Curry’s very presence alters how basketball is played across the NBA.

That ripple effect shows why efficiency numbers only tell part of the story. Curry is bigger than a statistic—he is the architect of modern basketball.

Why Jokic’s Efficiency Still Deserves Respect

Of course, none of this should take away from what Nikola Jokic has accomplished. His efficiency is still incredible. To average over twenty points per game while leading all active players in true shooting percentage is an extraordinary achievement.

He has proven that a center can not only dominate in the paint but also step outside to hit jumpers and threes when needed. His ability to blend scoring with playmaking has made the Denver Nuggets one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

Still, when comparing Jokic’s advantage in TS% to Curry’s place on the same list, the difference becomes clear. Jokic’s dominance fits the mold of what big men have traditionally done. Curry’s efficiency, however, is something basketball has never seen before.

The Curry Standard Remains Untouched

Headlines may scream that Nikola Jokic has a higher true shooting percentage than Stephen Curry, but the deeper truth tells a different story.

Curry’s presence in that conversation proves that he is not just a volume shooter. He is a volume shooter who is also one of the most efficient scorers ever, despite taking shots that should, by all logic, lower his percentages.

That is why Curry’s legacy remains untouched. He is the player who revolutionized shooting, turned long threes into a weapon, and forced defenses to guard him in ways they never had to guard anyone else.

The Stat That Strengthens Curry’s Legacy

At first, the headline might make fans think Nikola Jokic outranks Stephen Curry in shooting efficiency. Technically, he does in true shooting percentage. But context flips the script.

Curry’s ability to nearly match a center’s efficiency while attempting the most difficult and highest-volume perimeter shots in the league is what cements his greatness.

Rather than challenging Curry’s legacy, this statistic reinforces it. Jokic deserves credit for his incredible efficiency, but Curry remains the gold standard for shooting in the NBA. He is, and will continue to be, the greatest shooter of all time.