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Ball handlers are a key component to any team’s success. Someone must dribble the team out of difficult positions, which require finesse as opposed to force. The And-1 craze in the NBA came and went, but ball handlers in the NBA are still loved.
The following players have broken their fair share of ankles through the years, putting numerous defenders on the wrong end of highlight reels. As a result, they have put themselves in the conversation for having perhaps the best handles of all time.
P.S. This is not a list of players with the meanest crossovers.
Notable Mentions:
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
Kemba does not get enough credit mostly because he’s in a small market with a poorly run franchise. When he is rolling, he’s arguably the best show in the NBA with the way he humiliates guys and plays with them. It's beautiful to watch.
#5 Jamal Crawford
At 6ft 5” Jamal Crawford is taller than most elite ball handlers with a terrific 6ft 10” wingspan.
He’s so good, his opponents can never stop what they see coming. He is always on his toes with an incredible thought process in place to blow by his defenders. He gets in rhythm fast, and that’s when he brings the chaos.
He has long crossovers and hesitation moves, high dribbles, and very straight up behind the back dribbles. He's also great at runners and floaters which compliment his length, not to mention his awesome contested, high-arching jump shot with the leg kicks. He currently holds the record for most career four-point plays made.
#4 Chris Paul, Houston Rockets
Ball security in Paul’s hands is almost perfect. He is always calm and collected with the ball. Though not up there with the likes of Jason Williams for pure entertainment value, he is great by NBA standards. No one has ever dribbled a basketball so much and turned it over so little. Paul protects the ball and controls it at the transcendent level required for a top point guard of all-time, which leads to fewer turnovers.
Everything about Chris Paul is efficient. He's not necessarily the flashiest ball handler, but he gets the job done in every sense of the word. He relies more on substance and intelligence to get the job done, and that deserves a lot of credit.
#3 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry could easily control the ball more, but his game is much more predicated on the dazzle of it all. He's a magician. A nifty bit of sleight of the hand, the turn, and the prestige. A bit careless with the ball but make no mistake, his style goes a long way, and if he can further refine when to dazzle and how to use it with the utmost efficiency, he’d be higher on this list.
Curry has the ball on a string and does what he pleases with his dribble moves, weaving, and just flat out dominating. His range normally lures defenders to him and he can turn any hero to the receiver of the worst stink faces of all time.
#2 Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
With time, Kyrie will ultimately top this list. His jaw-dropping displays keep getting better with each game. His crafty finishing and ball-handling maneuvers are a trademark all the way back to his college days. He loves the big stage and was born for it.
When he wants to get to the rim, nothing can stop him. He leaves behind broken ankles, and opponents playing the blame game. His trademark spin moves and lay up game routinely embarrass his defenders in his path.
He’s arguably the most flamboyant point guard of the new NBA era given the enthusiasm and great panache with which he handles the rock.
#1 Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson’s greatness is marked by the fact that he led an average Philadelphia 76ers team to the 2001 Finals. He was also the season’s MVP and scoring champion.
He announced his entry into the big stage by crossing the great Michael Jordan and hitting a jumper over him. He was too quick; the NBA couldn’t catch him palming the ball. He had the most devastating hesitation moves accompanied by unmatched lightning speed and quickness. Guarding Iverson was the ultimate baptism of fire.
He was one of the most devastating finishers with a creative, fearless, and expressive playing style that made him one of the sport’s biggest attractions - during his peak years, the Philadelphia 76ers routinely led the league in road attendance.
Guess the Lakers players!
