When people talk about the greatest three-point shooters ever, Steph Curry is obviously the first name that comes to mind. He has completely changed the way basketball is played, and there’s no question that he is one of the greatest shooters we have ever seen. But I think there is an interesting distinction to make between being the most versatile three-point shooter and being the purest three-point shooter.

And personally, if I have to choose the better three-point shooter, I’m taking Klay Thompson.

I know that sounds crazy considering what Steph has done, but when I say “better shooter,” I’m not simply talking about who can make the most difficult three-pointer possible. I’m talking about the actual purity of the shot: the mechanics, the consistency, the ability to catch the ball and immediately shoot, and how little a player needs to do before getting the shot off.

That’s where I think Klay stands out.

Klay doesn’t need to dribble the ball multiple times, create separation, or constantly have the ball in his hands to get his shot off. He can literally catch the ball, get his feet set and knock it down. Give him a clean look from three and I trust him completely.

His shot just looks incredibly natural. He can run around screens, move without the ball, find a small opening and immediately release the shot. He doesn’t need to create an entire possession just to get a three-pointer. He can simply wait for the opportunity, receive the ball and put it up.

Steph is different. Steph is much more of a shot creator. He can create threes off the dribble, pull up while moving, shoot over defenders and hit shots from ridiculous distances. He can basically turn a possession that looks completely dead into a three-pointer. That makes him more versatile than Klay and, in terms of the difficulty of the shots he can create, probably the best ever.

But personally, I don’t think shooting from ridiculously far away automatically makes you a better three-point shooter. Steph can hit threes from 30+ feet, and it’s obviously incredible, but I often find those shots unnecessary. Being able to make a shot from that far away is a crazy skill, but distance alone doesn’t determine who is the better shooter.

If I need someone to create an impossible three-pointer from nothing, I’m taking Steph every single time. If I need someone to pull up from the logo, I’m taking Steph. If I need someone to create a shot with the ball in his hands while a defender is all over him, Steph is probably the best ever.

But if you tell me, “You have one open three. Who do you want taking it?” I’m taking Klay.

I also think the way their offenses are structured plays a role in this. Steph has literally had an entire offensive system built around his ability to handle the ball, create shots, move constantly and force defenses to react to him. Klay’s role has traditionally been different. He has been much more focused on moving without the ball, coming off screens, finding space and being ready to shoot immediately.

And I don’t mean Klay just stands in the corner waiting for the ball. His movement without the ball is actually a huge part of what makes him such a pure shooter. He can spend an entire possession running around screens, suddenly get an opening, catch the ball and fire without needing to dribble.

That’s what I mean when I call Klay a purer shooter.

Steph is the more versatile shooter. He has more range, more shot-creation ability and can make shots that seem completely impossible.

But Klay’s ability to simply catch the ball and put it in the basket is something I value more when talking specifically about a pure three-point shooter.

So for me, the distinction is simple:

Steph is the guy I want when I need the impossible.

Klay is the guy I want when I need the three.