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During his appearance on the Inside Show last season, the great Oscar Robertson pointed a major(and often overlooked) glitch in the transitioning era of basketball.
"In our days, we couldn't kick out the ball to the three-point line and expect an assist. The game wasn't played that way. We had to always look out for someone who was moving towards the basket."
And his observation couldn't have been more spot on. Stacking up assists have become relatively easier in the current weather considering how drastically the game has spread from the paint towards the three-point line. With no credit stripped off the elite talent level of the new-age guards, the aforementioned transition is how the game is being played in all actuality.
However, the unique ability to get everyone involved and/or find the open man on the floor is something that will forever garner much-deserved respect. Dishing out dimes is basically shelling out what could have been one's own buckets. It reflects a mentality that is conducive to team wins on a consistent basis.
On that note, we take a look at the five best players who are currently dazzling crowds with their distinctive passing expertise.
#5 Nikola Jokic
For players who hope to make it big but are often overlooked in their initial years, Nikola Jokic might be the quintessential role model. Over the years, the seven-footer from Serbia has turned into a franchise cornerstone for the Denver Nuggets, and redefining the role of an NBA big man with every passing game.
His scoring and rebounding are synonymous with dominance in the paint, but what stands out the most, is his court vision. The 24-year-old recorded a career-high 7.3 assists per game last season, and is back to dropping almost 6 dimes per game this year as well. His passing wizardry cannot be left behind when it comes to rating quality passers in the league.
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Moreover, Jokic's high-IQ plays come in handy when spreading the floor and catching defenses off guard, making his presence at the center spot that much more impossible to guard.
#4 Malcolm Brogdon
After playing Giannis' sidekick in Milwaukee for three years, Malcolm Brogdon finally has the chance to show completely what he is made of. And the Indiana Pacers guard is not disappointing.
Brogdon's inclusion into the Pacers lineup has been a positive sign for a team missing its All-Star guard due to injury. In Victor Oladipo's absence, Malcolm has been leading this team with utmost grit. His assists average of 8.3 across the 12 games played so far is currently fourth best in the league, as he puts together a career-high scoring year as well.
The 27-year-old has been a menace for opponents at the point guard position. He is a pivotal reason as to how the Pacers starters are all averaging at least 14 ppg.
#3 Ricky Rubio
The Phoenix Suns are no longer the worst team in the NBA, in fact they are second in the league in terms of assists per game(27.9). And much of the credit goes to their floor general, Ricky Rubio.
Plagued by his back, Rubio has only played in 11 games so far this year, but managed to lead his teams in assists by a wide margin. The fact that his 8.1 dimes per game are still one assist shy of his career-high from three seasons ago shows he has been an top-notch facilitator throughout his whole career.
The Spanish guard's addition to the ailing Phoenix Suns squad has brought a stability on which they can build upon as the season progresses. His calm and collected demeanor demands the Coach's reliance on his ability to make the right play during crunch situations.
#2 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic has been clicking on all cylinders ever since the 2019-20 campaign tipped off. The Dallas Mavericks have at their disposal a generational talent who might arguably be the best European talent the league has ever hosted. His near-triple-double averages of 29.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game have single-handedly led the Mavericks to an uncharacteristic 5th seed on the West standings.
Also read: NBA 2019-20: Top 5 sophomores in the league right now
His on-court maturity to make the righ decision on almost every possession has landed him amidst the early season leaders for the MVP race. The 20-year-old Slovenian sensation is leading a franchise out of its shadows, and its all because of his sky-high basketball aptitude. His passing skills at are par with any prominent point guard that the league houses at the moment.
#1 LeBron James
Call it Anthony Davis' inclusion or a resurgence year, LeBron James is currently the best basketball player on the planet. In his 17th year, James is leading the NBA with 11.1 dimes per game, which is also his personal career-high by a margin of over 2 apg. Clearly, his court-vision has only sharpened with time.
Often seen directing traffic at the top of the court for the Los Angeles Lakers, the 35-year-old has proven to be an elite pass-first point guard for the surging side. Currently, the Lakers possess the league's best record(11-2), and it is only because The King has been as complete a basetball player as he ever was. When the on-court presence of Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley seemed to the slow the team down, Bron stepped up to do the heavy lifting.
Guess the Lakers players!
