Who is the greatest ball handler of all time in NBA history? This is a highly debatable question, with many answers and reasons. I collected responses from various people, and here are the results:
Allen Iverson: 50%
Stephen Curry: 30%
Kyrie Irving: 10%
Pete Maravich: 10%
These are considered some of the greatest NBA ball handlers of all time, and here’s why:
#1 Allen Iverson
As one of the greatest Philadelphia 76ers players of all time, he certainly deserves a spot on this list. He is famously known for his crossovers and has amazing finishing moves, often completing seemingly impossible finishes around the rim. He even crossed over Michael Jordan in a highlight-worthy play. His hang time and quick, shifty moves allow him to fly through the air and make acrobatic finishes.
#2 Stephen Curry
The greatest shooter of all time—why might he be? Here’s why: It takes exceptional ball handling to create space for shooting threes over defenders, especially for a 6ft-2 point guard. His high basketball IQ, ability to shake off defenders, and constant movement make him a difficult player to guard both around the perimeter and near the basket. In a memorable highlight, he crossed over former All-Star Chris Paul before hitting a mid-range jumper.
#3 Kyrie Irving
Much like Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, Kyrie’s acrobatic moves around the rim make him a very difficult player to guard. He seems to have an endless array of ways to finish at the basket. He has numerous highlights where he crosses over defenders and finishes with an incredible move. His exceptional passing, dribbling, and other impossible maneuvers make him a strong contender for the title of greatest NBA ball handler of all time.
#4 Pete Maravich
More widely known as “Pistol Pete,” Maravich had some of the greatest handles in NBA history. In college, he averaged over 40 points per game due to his insane ability to pass and break down defenders. If you’ve seen videos of his dribbling workouts and routines, you can see how effortlessly he handles the ball. He even held camps to teach young athletes how to improve their skills. Analysts have used phrases like, “He could handle the ball like a Globetrotter,” and “He could switch from his right hand to his left hand and be just as effective.” This is certainly true, given his unique talent.
These are some of the greatest ball handlers ever. Which one do you think deserves the title of the best?
