'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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.
5 Best ball-handlers in the NBA right now
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.
On that note, let's take a look at the five best ball-handlers in the NBA right now.
#5 Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Since making his debut in the league, Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic has entertained fans with his exemplary skillset. Doncic is a brilliant scorer, rebounder and passer, which makes him virtually unguardable. A major reason why Doncic is adept at passing and scoring is his dribbling skills, which allow him extra space and time and either release better shots or find a teammate with a pass.
Luka Doncic is coming off a strong 2020-21 NBA season, in which he averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. He is expected to win the NBA MVP award in the upcoming campaign. A potential Maurice Podoloff trophy win will instantly elevate his status as one of the greatest European players of all time.
#4 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Arguably the greatest shooter of all time, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is often credited with changing the game. Curry gets due credit for being a brilliant shooter from the deep, but his ball-handling skills are severely underrated.
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.
#3 James Harden, Brooklyn Nets
James Harden is considered one of the greatest shooting guards of all time despite not winning a ring, which points to how well 'Beard' has fared in the NBA since his Houston Rockets days. Harden is a masterful dribbler and combines guile with strength when he takes on NBA defenders in a game.
Harden is one of the best players in the league at playing one-on-one basketball, thanks to him being a 3-level scorer and a proficient dribbler. The former OKC Thunder star is adept at creating separation on the perimeter and making forays in the paint due to his footwork and dribbling, and takes the #3 spot on our ''Top 5 dribblers in the NBA' list.
#2 Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Despite being 36-years-old, Chris Paul remains one of the best point guards in the NBA. Paul made his first NBA finals in the recently concluded 2020-21 season, but couldn't get past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to win his maiden championship.
Paul is a scintillating ball-handler who also has a great shot and brilliant passing in his arsenal. Paul is a throwback to the pass-first point guards of yesteryear, and has proved that age is just a number with his performances over the last few seasons.
#1 Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
A case could be made for Kyrie Irving being the greatest dribbler of all time, and he is certainly the best ball-handler in the NBA currently. Irving's combination of craft, balance and hard work make him one of the most unguardable players in the league. Irving is a master at getting past players, and at times has blown by entire teams due to his superior dribbling skills to get an easy deuce.
Because of his strong dribbling package, Kyrie Irving is able to get favorable looks for himself. Irving's reading of the game has also improved in recent years, and he will certainly go down as one of the most skilled players in the modern era.
Also check out: NBA Rumors: OKC Thunder planning to offer Spencer Dinwiddie a 2-year, $40 million deal
