Scott Padgett"s reign as the NBA"s top 3-point shooter lasted just one day, but his impact on the Jazz has been felt for weeks.

With Bryon Russell struggling from the 3-point line like never before and John Stockton, who turns 40 this month, attempting fewer 3s than he has in more than a decade, Padgett has begun filling the void for the Jazz.

""He"s rescued us," Jazz assistant coach Gordon Chiesa said.

Steve Smith of San Antonio was sizzling over the first half of the season and others, like Minnesota"s Wally Szczerbiak and Cleveland"s Wesley Person, have been coming on strong, but Padgett quietly moved up in the ranks and on Friday he had the best 3-point percentage in the entire NBA.

An 0-for-3 night on Saturday dropped him back to third but this has been a surprising development for a Padgett, who has become a mainstay in the Jazz rotation after being barely an afterthought over the first two years of his career.

""He"s showcasing his talents," Chiesa said. ""He"s playing within himself but within a team system."