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Will Barton III on brink of breaking Denver Nuggets’ franchise record

Two makes separate Will Barton III’s claims from credibility.

“They know I’m the greatest shooter in Nuggets history,” Barton said after Tuesday’s practice with a grin. “They know.”

Barton enters Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with 767 made 3-pointers in a Nuggets uniform. The veteran wing already holds the franchise record for attempted 3-pointers, 2,117. J.R. Smith holds the franchise record with 768 made 3-pointers. Barton had a chance to summit the list of sharpshooters Sunday in Portland but missed all five of his 3-point attempts and finished 1 of 8 from the field.

“I think it was just an off shooting night,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said, noting Sunday’s game was the team’s third in four days and came after a couple of flights to and from the west coast.

“Our starters weren’t their usually selves as a group, and Will was a part of that. Do I think in the back of his mind he has the ‘I make two more 3s I’m going to set the record’ (thought)? I’m sure it’s there, but I don’t think that’s what it was in Portland. I think it was more ‘I’ve been playing a lot of minutes, doing a lot of really good things for my team on both ends of the floor,’ and he had an off night like everybody does.”

Off nights were more frequent early in Barton’s career, which started in Portland. In two-plus seasons as a Trail Blazer, Barton shot 19.8% from 3-point range.

“That was a weakness of mine,” Barton admitted. “I worked real hard in the gym, summer after summer to get my 3-point shot right.”

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Barton landed in Denver via trade and quickly started shooting a higher volume of 3s and making a better percentage. In 2015-16, his first full season as a Nugget, Barton made 34.5% of his 3s, which was a career-best at the time. Last season, he topped 38% from 3 for the first time in his career. With the Nuggets set to play four consecutive home games, Barton figures likely to set the record at Ball Arena.

“It doesn’t matter where, actually, just get it over with,” Barton said.

There’s no guaranteeing how long Barton’s name will top the list, as younger teammates are in pursuit. Jamal Murray sits in third place with 673 made 3s and could start adding to his tally before the end of the regular season, while Nikola Jokic is eighth with 525 triples to his name. Regardless of how long his reign lasts, Barton’s milestone made 3 will back up his claims and give him something to show for his work to establish himself as a shooter.

“After my rookie year, I knew if I could get consistent with my jump shot, my overall game would open up and I would become a very good player,” Barton said.

“That’s what happened.”

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