The NBA has seen its fair share of sensational players, from high-flying dunkers to lockdown defenders, including top-of-the-line dribblers. Ball handling is a specific skill that requires hard work, dedication, and many years of practice.
Over the years, there’s been a handful of NBA players who’ve mastered dribbling to perfection. That being said, I’ve prepared a well-detailed review of the NBA’s top 10 best ball handlers of all time.
From the early days of the iconic Pete Maravich to the modern-day dribbling artists like Curry and Irving, the following NBA athletes have amazed many fans and left a tremendous mark on the game of basketball.
Without further ado, let’s see who are the best ball handlers of all time!
#10 – Jamal Crawford
I’m starting the list of the top 10 greatest dribblers in NBA history with the sensational ball handler—Jamal Crawford. While he played in the best basketball league in the world, Jamal was widely regarded as a player with the best crossovers.
On numerous occasions, Crawford left NBA fans in awe with his super-fast dribbles and embarrassed many defenders throughout his career with his ball-handling moves. What made him so dangerous in the offense was that he would first hesitate, then make a crossover and either go to the basket or make a jump shot.
Besides being known as a legendary dribbler, Crawford was one of the best sixth men in the game. He won the Sixth Man of the Year Award three times (2010, 2014, and 2016). During his 20-year career, he averaged solid numbers: 14.6 PPG, 3.4 APG, as well as 2.2 RPG. He played for numerous teams, such as the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, and many others.
#9 – Steve Nash
Next up on the list is one of the most iconic point guards in the history of the sport—Steve Nash. He was a 2-time MVP who was known as an all-around player, and his handles were one of the finest in the NBA.
Steve was unselfish, mostly using his dazzling dribbling skills to score and make scoring opportunities for his teammates. He used his behind-the-back dribbles to get past defenders and then make a jumper or a no-look pass to his teammates. Part of the reason he was such a high-level ball-handler is his high basketball IQ and ability to keep the ball in his hands even in the most challenging positions, like under the rim of his opponents.
Nash used his handles to make many passes during his career, amassing 10,335 assists in 18 seasons. He ranks 5th among all-time career leaders in made assists. Regarding his overall statistics, the Canadian averaged 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 8.5 APG. Nash played for the Dallas Mavericks, the LA Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns.
#8 – Jason Williams
Nicknamed “White Chocolate,” Jason Williams had some of the most aesthetically pleasing handles in basketball history. He was a wizard with the ball, making flashy passes regularly. His signature move was to dribble the ball behind his back so he could get past opposing defenders.
When it comes to passes, he loved to make no-look passes and off-the-elbow ones as well. Although Williams left many fans in disbelief with his remarkable passes, he also made many turnovers due to his tendency to try to make assists worthy of highlight reels.
In 2006, he won the NBA title with the Miami Heat and even led his team in assists in the Finals by averaging 4.7 APG.
Williams averaged 10.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and 5.9 APG throughout his career.
Besides playing for the Miami Heat, he was a part of the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Orlando Magic.
#7 – Tim Hardaway
Tim Hardaway is one of the most legendary dribblers ever in the NBA. At 6’, this point guard was “breaking ankles” of players of all statures. Widely recognized for his killer crossover called the “UTEP 2 Step”, Hardaway was a nightmare for opposing defenders.
His signature move was to dribble the ball from the left hand to the right hand or vice versa and then drive past the opponent. His speed also played a big role in successfully making the move, as he would start going in one direction and then quickly switch his movement to the other direction.
Thanks to his crossover move, Hardaway was a prolific scorer during his playing days in the NBA. He averaged 17.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 8.2 APG throughout his career. Tim Hardaway was also a 5-time All-Star and was included in the All-NBA team 5 times. He played for teams like the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, etc.
#6 – Chris Paul
The No.6 spot on the list of the best ball-handlers of all time goes to Chris Paul. His ability to control the ball and high basketball IQ are two significant reasons he’s an exceptional dribbler.
Paul is a one-of-a-kind floor general who is able to keep his dribble alive and drive past even the best lockdown defenders thanks to his crossover moves. He maybe isn’t the flashiest passer in the NBA like Jason Williams perhaps, but his ability to successfully dictate the pace of the game is unparalleled.
What also sets Paul apart from other point guards is the fact that he doesn’t have many turnovers. He has a superb 4.0 assist/turnover ratio and only a handful of players have achieved that high of a ratio.
Throughout his career, Paul managed to average 17.7 PPG and 9.4 APG. He was the leader in steals six times and five times in assists. He played for the LA Clippers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, etc.
#5 – Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas was one of the best point guards and best ball-handlers of all time, especially in the 80s and 90s. He was very quick, and his speed allowed him to go around defenders and then make scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Thomas possessed superb dribbling skills and knew well how to keep the ball in his hands even in tight spaces and challenging situations. Isiah was equally capable of using both his hands when dribbling, and many defenders had a hard time guarding him. Moreover, he stayed low so he could increase his ball security, making it impossible for anyone to steal the ball from him.
His ball-handling skills were of great help to the team he played for, the Detroit Pistons. Thomas led the “Bad Boys” from Detroit to two NBA titles, in 1989 and 1990. As for his individual accolades, he made 9,061 assists throughout his career and ranks 10th on the list of all-time career leaders in assists. Isiah averaged 19.2 points per game and 9.3 assists per game during his playing days in the NBA.
#4 – Pete Maravich
“Pistol” Pete Maravich was one of the finest dribblers in the history of basketball. He was a true pioneer of creative and smooth dribbles. Pete had the ability to get wherever he wanted, thanks to his elite handles. He liked to use behind-the-back dribbles and crossovers to get past the defenders. Pete was also a top-of-the-line playmaker and superb passer, thanks to his high basketball IQ. The no-look pass was his trademark move.
When it comes to his career statistics, you can see that he was a great scorer as well, since he averaged 24.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, as well as 4.2 RPG. Pete played in the All-Star game five times, and he was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Throughout his 10-year NBA career, Maravich played for the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, Utah Jazz, and the Boston Celtics.
NBA players in today’s basketball draw inspiration from “Pistol” Pete’s moves. No one can deny the fact that Pete Maravich was one of the most influential players in the history of the NBA.
#3 – Steph Curry
Steph Curry is one of the best players in the history of the sport. What also has to be mentioned is that he has one of the best ball handles of all time in the NBA. Even though his jumper is his trademark move, he couldn’t pull it off without his top-tier dribbling skills. Moreover, in Curry’s highlight reels, you can see that many of his shots come off the dribble, and there weren’t many players who were as efficient at that as Steph is.
Curry has a super-fast first step, and because of his speed, he can change directions in no time. His favorite dribble is the behind-the-back move, and he rarely loses the ball when he uses it in the game.
Curry is an expert when it comes to using his handles to make scoring opportunities, and because of that, he’s one of the best shooters in the game. He’s the all-time career leader in made 3-pointers in the NBA. Steph also won the MVP award two times and lifted the NBA trophy four times with the Golden State Warriors.
#2 – Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson holds the No.2 spot on this list of the best ball-handlers of all time in the NBA. He had some of the craziest handles ever, and his crossover dribble was one of the most beautiful moves ever. Using that dribble, Iverson was “breaking ankles” left and right, and he even used it successfully on the GOAT, Michael Jordan.
Iverson was feared by many defenders because of his unmatched ability to dribble past them and create numerous scoring chances. He loved attacking the rim and even made some sensational dunks during his playing days.
Iverson’s fearless mindset, speed, and elusive handles made him a favorite among many die-hard basketball fans.
During his career, he put up solid numbers: 26.7 points per game and 6.2 assists per game. He was the best scorer in the NBA for four seasons, a 1-time MVP, and became a Hall of Fame inductee in 2016. The only thing Iverson didn’t win was an NBA championship since the Lakers stopped him and the 76ers in the 2001 Finals.
#1 – Kyrie Irving
Without a doubt, the best dribbler in NBA history is Kyrie Irving. He can make any dribble imaginable to look easy, and that’s one of many reasons he’s among the best ball-handlers of all time. In addition, his ability to control the ball in tough situations, coupled with his speed, balance, and flashy moves, makes him stand out from the rest of the players on this list.
He uses his elite handles to score and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Irving has many moves in his arsenal, and some of the most common ones he utilizes are crossovers, in-and-outs, spin moves, behind-the-backs, and many others. “Uncle Drew” loves one-on-one plays where he first uses his crossover to get past the opposing defender and then finishes the play with a fancy layup.
Irving has won one NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he has averaged 27.1 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 3.9 RPG in those NBA Finals. He also won the Rookie of the Year in the 2011/12 season, and in that first season, he immediately showcased his potential that he’d be one of the finest dribblers ever. It’s safe to say that he fulfilled his potential.
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