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Ball handlers in the NBA are one of the best loved.The best handles doesnt mean the best passer or point guard in the league, or else Magic Johnsonand John Stocktonwould always be at the top of the all-time list. The best handles refers to the players who can get out of traps, break down defensive match ups, and just dribble out of anything thrown at them.Here are the top 10 ball handlers seen in the NBA in the last 20 years.
#10 Kenny Anderson
Although not the first team to appear on peoples minds, Anderson was one of the best ball handlers to come out of New York City. 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.
His biggest highlight came in college against Bobby Hurley when coming down on a fast-break on the left wing, Anderson got bear-hugged by Hurley, but is still able to cross over, dribble behind his back, and finish the layup. In the NBA, he scared opponents with lethal crossovers, no look passes, and handles that could get through any kind of defense. Truly a street ball legend in the NBA.
#9 Kyrie Irving
Kyrie 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 isnt why Kyrie is feared by other players in the league.
Kyries crossovers have been seen on international screens, as he completely broke Brandon Knights ankles in the 2013 Rising Stars Challenge. Kyries crossovers will be in the NBA for a long time to come.
#8 God Shammgod
Although Shammgod only played 20 games in the NBA, he has been recognized by all his peers as one of the best ball handlers theyve ever played against. Coming out of New York, Shammgod created his own crossovers and was regarded as one of the best street ballers ever to come out of the city.
Although his basketball skills werent enough to keep him in the NBA for long, his handles have left a legend in his name. NBA players today still use the Shammgod crossover, and marvel at his ability to get through any defense while keeping his dribble alive.
#7 Penny Hardaway
Constantly regarded as one of the best big point guards to ever play the game.
Penny was one of the rare big guards that could handle his own against smaller guards like Muggsy Bogues and not worry about being stripped. Although his career didnt end on a highlight, he was a four-time All-Star and paved the way for big guards like Tracy McGradyto become primary ball handlers.
#6 Tim Hardaway
Many of our younger readers will only know Tim Hardaway Jr. of the current New York Knicks. But the originalTim Hardawaywas one of the most spectacular point guards to ever grace the hardwood. His killer crossovers were the original crossovers to inspire a whole generation of players to come.
His one-on-one skills became renowned in the NBA, where analysts referred to his crossover as the UTEP 2-Step, Hardaways legacy remains from his time with the Heat and Warriors as one of the quickest and lethal point guards of his time.
#5 Allen Iverson
AI's first big play came against none other than 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.
Iverson made a career of being one of the best scorers of all-time, and it was only aided by his deadly crossover. Similar to Tim Hardaway, Iversons crossover was lethal because of his speed and agility when making the play. Iversons crossovers have been long-documented and have seen many victims suffer from broken ankles because of it.
#4 Rafer Alston
Alstons 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.
When 'Skip'came to the NBA, he left most of the street ball antics. Alston was never able to bring the street ball game that made him so famous to the NBA successfully. Instead, he became another generic point guard in the league.
#3 Isiah Thomas
12-time all star, two-time NBA champion, and 1990 Finals MVP,Isiah Thomasis 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.
His crossovers were among the first to make players fall on their backside and not be able to get up. In fact, Thomas most memorable crossover was onDanny Ainge, former Suns coach and current Celtics GM,where he crossed over Ainge and made him fall back, and waited for Ainge to come back only to do it again. Ainges ego must have been hurt forever, while Thomas reputation continued to grow in the league as a lethal point guard.
#2 Jamal Crawford
Jamal is by far the best ball handler in the NBA in todays game. The crossovers, the handles, and the jumper all combine to make Crawford the best ball handler in the league. As the career leader in four point plays in NBA history, Crawford makes it look easy as he crosses over defenders and then pulls up while they try to recover and contest his shot.
The reason why Crawfords handles are so incredible? After a lengthy career, in the summer of 2012, Jamal Crawford finally started practicing his jumper. He played in summer leagues and just schooled anyone who tried to defend him, and then would bring that game to the NBA.
#1 Jason Williams
With a 13 year career under his belt, Jason Williams retired as arguably the best ball handler ever to play the game. NicknamedWhite 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.
As a rookie, Williams helped lead the Kings to the playoffs with his stellar passing and incredible dribbling. Unlike many of the players on our list, Williams handles turned into an assist, as they constantly led to his teammates getting easy buckets. With his behind-the-back fake passes, and passes launched off with his elbows,White Chocolatewas always looking out for his teammates while dropping defenders.
