Of all the NBA players you've watched throughout the years, who do you think had the best ball-handling ability? Here are the guys that come to mind for me: Kenny Anderson - NY Playground legend. Great handles. Never put it all together, though. Tim Hardaway - In my opinion, he possessed the greatest crossover the NBA has ever seen. Isiah Thomas - Magician with the ball. Great ball handler, though in my opinion he overdribbled. Allen Iverson - Large hands + amazing athleticism and quickness = Killer Crossover. Michael Jordan - As long as the Refs don't call him for palming (which I never saw them do). I haven't seen enough film of Bob Cousy to rank him. Magic was good, but definately not in the same league as those five. Wasn't sure if I should add Pistol Pete.
the fact that you left out pistol pete and considered MJ in that list is pretty ridiculous. and are we talking about handles as in "break your ankles, leave your jockstrap on the floor" handles or as in "i never turn the ball over" handles? If it's the former, those and 1 guys and the guys in rucker owns everyone on your list.
How about going old school and selecting Pistol Pete Maravich. Relative to his peers, he was legendary. EDIT: I see I was a bit late with this remark. Ok fine, how about the Professor from the And One Mix Tape Tour.
Tim Hardaway had ridiculous handles and the best crossover. Marbury also has some pretty sick handles.
When you said handles, i thought about "g-money" or "bubble-Butt" or "Vida Loca", you know, nicknames... Anyway, Pistol Pete...
Jordan is nowhere close to being a top ball handler. Both Kobe and McGrady have better handles, IMO. I'd also reiterate that Pistol Pete simply has to be on there. So should Steve Francis, Jason Williams, and Rafer Alston.
If we're talking about ball-handling magic, crossovers, behind the back passes, etc., then the street legends come to mind. Iverson, Rafer Alston, Tim Hardaway, Kenny Anderson, Jason Williams, and Stephan Marbury would certainly be near the top. Solid ball-handling in terms of passing ability and ball control (no turnovers) would have to include Magic Johnson, Pistol Pete, Isaiah, and even Johnny Stockton.
White chocolate for the best handles. The guy only turns the ball over trying to pass. If he keeps the ball, no one can steal it from him.
I agree. Jordan's ballhandling was nowhere near a weakness, but it wasn't that great either. Kobe has the best handles of any SG in the league IMO, unless you count AI. Overall, I'd take AI or Jason Williams as having the best handles. Those And1 guys can't dribble without palming the ball. 90% of their moves involve carrying. I don't really call that ballhandling. I did see part of the Professor's workout though, and his handles are outstanding.
You guys all missed the point of me including Jordan. It was just a dig at the fact that he always palmed the ball. Geeze.
I don't remember the guy's name, but he was a ballhandling coach for many NBA players. It was during an ESPN special on the Professor.
