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who has the best handles in basketball

by Dr. Rahul Bahringer II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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It's an important quality that often makes him the best choice as a point guard.
  • #8. Tim Hardaway.
  • #7. Jamal Crawford.
  • #6. Pete Maravich.
  • #5. Isiah Thomas.
  • #4. Stephen Curry.
  • #3. Derrick Rose.
  • #2. Allen Iverson.
Aug 10, 2021

Who is the best ball handler in NBA history?

Ranking the top 10 ball handlers in NBA history. 1 10 Greatest ball handlers in NBA history. NBA basketball has come a long way since Bob Cousy's videos of extraordinary dribbling techniques in the ... 2 #10 Bob Cousy. 3 #9 Jason Williams. 4 #8 Pete Maravich. 5 #7 Tim Hardaway. More items

Is Kyrie Irving the best ball handler in NBA history?

The seven-time All-Star is a maestro at splitting defenders, executing crisp spin moves, pulling off yo-yo dribbles and zipping the ball between his legs – and he often does it all on the same possession. No player in the league has more moves and countermoves, making Irving the best ball handler in NBA history.

Can a basketball team be great without a great ball handler?

No basketball team at any level can be great without at least one great ball handler. When you don’t have one, it’s like college basketball coach Herb Sendek once said: “it’s like having a running back play quarterback, and no matter how well your line blocked, the ball isn’t going to get where it needs to go.”

Why is ball-handling important in the NBA?

Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry in the 2016 NBA Finals. Ball-handling is one of the most essential skills in basketball, especially for guards and forwards in the NBA. Throughout league history, ball-handling has evolved as players find new, creative ways to get to their spots on an NBA court.

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Who has the best basketball handles in the world?

Top 10 best ball handlers in NBA historyKyrie Irving. Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets.Allen Iverson. Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, ... Chris Paul. ... Steph Curry. ... Pete Maravich. ... Steve Nash. ... Jamal Crawford. ... Tim Hardaway. ... More items...•

Which NBA player has the best handles?

On NBA 2K22, Kyrie Irving, who has the best handles in NBA 2k22, is attributed the highest rating of any player currently playing. Stephen Curry comes in second, and James Harden comes in third after him.

Who is the best dribbler in basketball?

postseason has featured some of the best dribblers in basketball history, including Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry. Curry creates space for deep 3-pointers while defenders swarm him. Harden baits defenders into fouling him all over the court.

What basketball position has the best handles?

point guardThey're called a shooting guard for a reason. As the point guard has the best handles and dribbling skills on the team, the shooting guard is the player who can shoot the following shots: Off Of Ball Screens. Off The Dribble.

Who has better handles Kyrie or curry?

“Kyrie Irving, to me, is the best ball handler of all time,” Williams told Rick Kamla. “What puts him over the top -- I mean, Steph Curry if he's behind Kyrie … he's not very far behind, is what I'm trying to say.”

Who's the greatest shooter of all time?

There is no denying that Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter of all time. As of now, this great player holds the record for most 3-point conversions in a season with 402.

Who is the fastest dribbler?

The fastest mile dribbling a basketball is 4 min 30.38 sec, achieved by Max Aronow (United States) in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States, on 28 November 2020. The mile took place on William H. Hall High School's athletics track.

Who is the best ball handler?

The top ball handlers who are currently playing in the NBA are certainly among the overall top current NBA players too. James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, and Chris Paul come to mind immediately. As do recent NBA stars such as Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Trae Young.

Who is the fastest dribbler in NBA?

But when it comes to the best dribbler in the NBA, the name Kyrie Irving seems to come up the most. The rest of the NBA seems to agree. “Hands down, Kyrie has the best ball-handling skills that we have in our league,” Atlanta Hawks All-Star forward Paul Millsap said.

Who guarded Michael Jordan the best?

Joe DumarsJoe Dumars He was most known for his phenomenal defense on Michael Jordan during the Pistons' title runs during the late 80's and early 90's. No one ever, as an individual defensive stopper, did a better job guarding Michael.

Who is the most underrated player in NBA history?

The 14 Most Underrated NBA PlayersMalcolm Brogdon - Boston Celtics. ... Grayson Allen - Milwaukee Bucks. ... Desmond Bane - Memphis Grizzlies. ... Alec Burks - Detroit Pistons. ... JaVale McGee - Dallas Mavericks. ... Isaiah Hartenstein - New York Knicks. ... Jordan Clarkson - Utah Jazz. ... Bobby Portis - Milwaukee Bucks.More items...•

Which player is usually the best dribbler on the team?

The point guardThe point guard runs the offense and usually is the team's best dribbler and passer.

How did Kyrie get such good handles?

After watching a documentary about Baron Davis, Kyrie Irving learned that tying a plastic bag around his basketball could take his ball-handling skills to the next level. This easy household trick helped Baron Davis master his handles when he was young and couldn't afford to get personalized training.

Who is better MJ or LBJ?

LeBron James' statistics indicate that he is a much better overall basketball player. While Jordan scored more overall, LeBron is a more efficient player, shooting better from two and three-point range. LeBron is also a much better passer and rebounder than Jordan ever was.

Is Luka doncic a good ball handler?

Doncic can be so dominant as a pick-and-roll ball handler, both as a scorer and facilitator, that teams frequently opt for the strategy of blitzing him, trapping him with two defenders to force the ball out of his hands.

Who is the best NBA defender?

Position#NameAGE1Rudy Gobert MIN | C302Draymond Green GSW | PF323Al Horford BOS | C364Giannis Antetokounmpo MIL | PF2843 more rows

What does a good ball handler do?

A good ball-handler usually excels at either creating looks for himself or his teammates. If a team can field a healthy number of ball-handlers on the court at the same time, their offense usually remains potent as it allows them to rely on multiple players instead of just one.

Is Curry a good shooter?

Curry is a great shooter on and off-the-ball, but his ability to generate clean looks for himself due to his dribbling skills make him the stalwart he is. The 2-time MVP is known to throw his defenders off-balance and take a high-percentage shot, a ploy that has worked for him since his first year in the league.

Is basketball positionless?

The modern NBA is moving towards positionless basketball, which has led to ball-handling becoming an essential skill for every player to possess. Bigs like Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jokic have shown that they can handle the ball and pass like guards despite being centers, while recent seasons have seen the emergence of more and more point forwards.

Rightly so

What fewer people might remember Stephen Curry for is his immaculate handling skills and ability to keep the dribble alive.

Ours, not his

Kyrie Irving is, perhaps, the most captivating player to watch in the NBA right now and has more moves and counter-moves than most teams combined.

Final thoughts

Whether it be in an All-Star Game or the Eastern Conference finals, it is clear that no NBA game can ever be a success without its fair share of NBA players who can handle well and control the game through possession and distribution.

Who is the all time assist leader in the NBA?

John Stockton ’s skills would never be described as flashy by anyone, but the NBA’s all-time assist leader has to be on this list. Not only was Stockton the best the game has ever seen at finding his teammates to set up easy baskets, but he took care of the ball.

Why can't the NBA contain Stephen Curry?

In most cases, teams design their entire defense around slowing him down. And yet they still can’t contain Stephen Curry, in large part because the guard is so good at creating his own shot. Yes, his range is one of the deepest the NBA has ever seen, but he’s also incredible with his ball handling skills; creating that separation that gives him the fraction of a second he needs to get a great look at the basket.

How tall was the diminutive guard?

At 5-foot-3, the diminutive guard had to be a great ball handler because it was the only way he’d be able to compete with the giants he went up against every night. Compete he did, and he often made them look silly in the process.

How many teams has Jamal Crawford played for?

In Crawford’s case, it’s definitely the latter. He’s competed for six different teams because he’s an expert at moving around the court and making defenders look silly with his ball-handling skills. He can stop on a dime and shift between hands before a defender has any idea what’s happened, usually allowing him to create an open look at a 3-pointer.

Did Bogues rack up assists?

Bogues turned his lack of size into an advantage, as bigger players couldn’t keep up with his dribbling skills or his vision on the court. He didn’t rack up assists the way Stockton did, but he really took care of the basketball. Speaking of handling the ball, Bogues is the all-time career leader in assist-to-turnover ratio, boasting a career ratio of slightly over 5. You don’t get to those kinds of numbers without being a great ball handler.

Can a basketball team be great without a ball handler?

No basketball team at any level can be great without at least one great ball handler . When you don’t have one, it’s like college basketball coach Herb Sendek once said: “it’s like having a running back play quarterback, and no matter how well your line blocked, the ball isn’t going to get where it needs to go.”.

Can you be accused of failing to get the ball where they needed it?

Although you could move a few of these players around, or substitute a couple of our honorable mentions into the top 10, these players could never be accused of failing to get the ball where their teams needed it. On the contrary, they’ve often dazzled fans and opponents with how well they get the ball to where it needs to be.

Who is the point guard that has strings?

Walker is a very swift point guard who has strings on the ball. He showed his handling ability early in college level. During the 2011 Big East Conference tournament, he scored a buzzer basket against the Pittsburgh Panthers and allowed his team to reach the semi-finals.

How did Walker take his defender to the left side?

While the two teams were tied, Walker took his defender to the left side by performing a cross-over coupled with a body feint to signify a drive. It ended with step-back jumper fadeaway which won the game.

What is Tim Hardaway's nickname?

These great feats and achievements were led by Hardaway who possessed quick crossovers, hence his nickname “UTEP Two-step”. Despite being a small player, the father of current NBA player Tim Hardaway Jr. was so fast with his hands and feet. One of his favorite moves was dribbling behind-the-leg followed with a crossover to the opposite hand.

How many times has Chris Paul been on the All Star team?

Achievements: All-NBA (4 First Team, 3 Second Team, 1 Third Team), All-Star (9 Times), NBA All-Star Game MVP Award, NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA All-Rookie First Team. Chris Paul makes a living in the NBA by serving the right teammates in the right times with the right passes, which makes him one of the best passers in the league.

What is the fastest way to win a spectator's heart?

Delivering a flashy dunk, blocking shots, and making the game-winning shots are usually the fastest ways to win spectators’ hearts. But, the ball-handling skills of the NBA stars leave us something to ponder over.

How tall was Stephen Curry before he became a basketball player?

Before becoming the player he is now, at 15, Stephen Curry was barely 1.70m tall and weighed only 56 kg. Due to lacking power in his arms, his shooting gesture was bad and he was not able to dribble quickly. Accompanied by his father, he trained hard during the summer to work on his handles and his shots in order to play college basketball.

Is Chris Paul a good point guard?

However, more importantly, Chris Paul is a great dribbler. He handles the ball particularly well which allows him to drive into the paint area easily and deliver assists to his teammates. He only records very few turnovers per game. It’s an important quality that often makes him the best choice as a point guard.

What is ball handling in basketball?

Ball-handling is one of the most essential skills in basketball, especially for guards and forwards in the NBA. Throughout league history, ball-handling has evolved as players find new, creative ways to get to their spots on an NBA court.

Who is the flashiest dribbler in the NBA?

Arguably the flashiest dribbler and passer in NBA history. Jason Williams earns a place on this list for his creative approach on offense and hours of highlight reels filled with just his ball-handling ability. Williams played in the NBA from 1999 to 2011.

How many times was Cousy selected for the All-NBA?

He was a 13-time All-Star, six-time NBA champion, NBA MVP and was selected 12 times to the All-NBA teams.

How many NBA titles did Thomas win?

Thomas led the Detroit Pistons to two NBA titles in an era in which the team had to go through Jordan's Chicago Bulls, Larry Bird's Boston Celtics, and the 'Showtime' LA Lakers. Thomas won one Finals MVP, two titles and two All-Star MVPs. He also went to 12 All-Star games, and earned five All-NBA selections.

How many times did Hardaway play for the Warriors?

At Golden State, he was a member of the Run TMC trio with Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullins. Hardaway made it to the All-Star Game five times and earned five All-NBA selections too.

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Who was Michael Jordan's antagonist in the 1990s?

Isiah Thomas in 1990. Isiah Thomas has become an underrated figure for some NBA fans who mostly remember him as Michael Jordan 's antagonist in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, Thomas is a basketball legend who was an unbelievable point guard with his dribbling, passing and scoring abilities.

10. Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker. the #8 for the New York Knicks in action against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2021, in New York City. Photo: Mike Stobe Source: Getty Images

9. Chris Paul

Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on April 28, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Chris Graythen Source: Getty Images

8. Tim Hardaway

Tim Hardaway of the Detroit Pistons watches his team warm up before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Palace of Auburn Hills on January 18, 2017, in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Photo: Rey Del Rio Source: Getty Images

7. Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 31, 2018, in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Christian Petersen Source: Getty Images

6. Pete Maravich

Pete Maravich of the New Orleans Jazz dribbling the ball past the New York Knicks. Source: Getty Images

5. Isiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Denver Nuggets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 28, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Jacob Kupferman Source: Getty Images

4. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play during the 2022 Playoffs Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center on May 24, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. Photo: Tom Pennington Source: Getty Images

Who is the best ball handler in the NBA?

No player in the league has more moves and countermoves, making Irving the best ball handler in NBA history.

Who put Michael Jordan on skates?

We could go on and on about Allen Iverson’s impressive list of achievements, but if you’ve made it this far in our list it’s because you want to see the classic video of AI putting Michael Jordan on skates during his rookie season in Philly.

How long did Alston play streetball?

Alston’s streetball DNA was mostly stifled by his old school coaches, but he still produced plenty of eye-popping highlights during his 11-year career.

How many times has Zeke been a champion?

Zeke’s ability to navigate impossibly tight spaces helped him become a two-time NBA champion and Detroit’s all-time scoring leader.

Who is the floor general of Golden State?

The floor general of Golden State’s "Run TMC" lineup, Tim Hardaway sliced and diced defenders with his patented "UTEP 2 Step," a killer crossover he developed during his four years at Texas El-Paso.

Is it hard to learn basketball?

It’s the most elemental skill in the game of basketball, and although it’s easy to learn, it’s extremely difficult to master. Those who do it well, like Kyrie Irving and Chris Paul, are celebrated for their ability to put the ball on a string and effortlessly blow by defenders.

Who is the best ball handler in the NBA?

With a thriteen year career under his belt, Jason Williams retired as arguably the best ball handler ever to play the game. Nicknamed White Chocolate ¸ Williams combined his love for street ball with the NBA game perfectly and turned into one of the most lethal ball handlers ever to play the game.

Who was the best ball handler in New York City?

Anderson, although not the first team to appear on people’s minds, was one of the best ball handlers to come out of New York City. Growing up in the projects, Anderson was known in the neighborhood as THAT guy who would be at the court in the middle of the night working on his game.

Why are Jamal Crawford's handles so incredible?

The reason why Crawford’s handles are so incredible? After a lengthy career, in the summer of 2012, Jamal Crawford finally started practicing his jumper. Before this time, Crawford “played off raw talent.” This means that he played in summer leagues and just schooled anyone who tried to defend him, and then would bring that game to the NBA.

Who is the young superstar in the NBA?

Kyrie Irving is one of the young superstars in the NBA today. After only playing eleven games at Duke, Kyrie was selected first overall by the Cavs in the 2011 draft and Kyrie put the whole league on alert when he won the 2012 Rookie of the Year Award. But this isn’t why Kyrie is feared by other players in the league.

Who was the most famous basketball player in the 1990s?

Twelve-time all star, two-time NBA champion, and 1990 Finals MVP, Isiah Thomas is one of the most legendary players to ever play the game. He accomplished these feats with a rugged game and a temper that would anger any opponent that went up against the Bad Boys. But before the defensive-minded Pistons came into existence, Thomas was one of the best ball handlers in the league. He last played in 1994, so he just snuck onto this list.

Who was Skip 2 My Lou?

Rafer played for the famed And1 tour while he was known as Skip 2 My Lou. During this time, Alston’s handles were out of this world, and he was able to bring street ball into homes across the world, inspiring young players to try all of his moves.

Who was the first big play in basketball?

Iverson ’s first big play was against Michael Jordan, where he crossed over at the top of the key and then drained a jumper as Jordan tried to recover and contest the shot. It was even more impressive as Iverson stood at an even 6 feet and Jordan had 6 inches over him.

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in No Particular Order, Then…

  • Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons
    12-time All-Star Isiah Thomas is so much more than just the curmudgeon we saw on The Last Dance. He was successful in 2 NBA finals for a start… As point guard, Thomas was a superb ball-handler with incredible dribbling, passing, and scoring skills. He is sadly best remembered for ge…
  • Tim Hardaway of the Golden State Warriors
    From 1990 to 2003, five times All-Star Tim Hardaway played a huge role for the Golden State Warriors. He even created his own version of a crossover that was nicknamed the ‘UTEP 2 step’ (because it was developed during his time at the University of Texas and El Paso) and he used it …
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Rightly So

  • What fewer people might remember Stephen Curry for is his immaculate handling skills and ability to keep the dribble alive. Since 2010, Stephen Curry has been an incredible threat from anywhere on the court and teams underestimate him at their peril. These days very few do. He is exceptionally entertaining to watch and after 12 seasons in the NBA he is unquestionably one o…
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Ours, Not His.

  • Kyrie Irving is, perhaps, the most captivating player to watch in the NBA right now and has more moves and counter-moves than most teams combined. One of the top ball-handlers of all-time, Kyrie Irving spins and whirls with the ball. He dribbles it like it is a part of his arm and can genuinely take the ball past any player in the league. He is bot...
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Honorary Mentions Go to…

  • We didn’t have room for a full write-up on all the best ball handlers we could think of, but it seemed only fair to tip our collective hats to these characters:
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Final Thoughts

  • Whether it be in an All-Star Game or the Eastern Conference finals, it is clear that no NBA game can ever be a success without its fair share of NBA players who can handle well and control the game through possession and distribution. In fact, it’s fair to say that dreams of making the NBA finals are just that without the presence of such players.
See more on thejumphub.com

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