NBA is full of outstanding players from the frontcourt to the backcourt. Most of the players like to score as much as possible because it helps a team winning a match. But don’t forget about passing skills which are also an integral part of the basketball game. But the truth is that it has become a lost art. In the history of the NBA, we have seen many great passers over the years, and they created an insane impact in the game despite not being great scorers. However, let’s check out ten great NBA passers of all time.
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1. Jason Williams
Jason was not a good shooter and scorer. During the game, he didn’t even care about those things. He always used to pass the ball to his teammates in a charismatic way that anyone gets amazed after watching him doing that. He used his elbows to bend arms. Jason is the man who used his elbows to pass the ball, and that was a feast for eyes. Jason has got the nickname “white chocolate” because of his flashy style of play. He was also known for his unorthodox style of play, but he is famous for his outstanding passes and stunning assists. Jason officially retired from NBA in 2011.
2. Arvydas Sabonis
Arvydas Romas Sabonis is considered as one of the best European players. He spent a total of 7 seasons in NBA in the US. Arvydas is one of the most audacious and creative passers in the history of the NBA. Arvydas started playing basketball when he was 13 years old, and when he was 15, he became a member of the Soviet Union national junior team. He played in several leagues and won Mr. Europa award for two times and Euroscar (European player of the year award) for six times. Back in 2005, Arvydas announced his retirement from professional basketball.
3. LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. People often compare him with another legend Michael Jordan. However, LeBron is an all-round player and a great passer. Throughout his career, he has gathered loads of achievements in his basket. He achieved NBA most valuable player award four times, NBA finals MVP awards three times, and two Olympic gold medals. When he began to play with the high school team, the national media advertised him as a future NBA superstar. During the 2011-2018 seasons, LeBron’s team appeared eight successive NBA finals.
4. Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich is known as Pistol Pete. Young promising basketball players around the world still follow him and his father’s handling drills. His father, Petar Press Maravich, was also a professional basketball coach and had a fantastic basketball career. Pete was an ultimate talent and most creative passer in his time, and his deceptive wrist pass was his trump card. Pete used to make that most of his career and could able to deceive the opponents. Pete played for three NBA teams until his injury forced him to get retired and ended up a 10-year career.
5. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is well known for his killer instinct of scoring and finishing any game. But he is also good at passing the ball and often compared with another legend Michael Jordan. He had an exceptional capability of passing out of double teams and placing his mates into scoring position. Kobe’s father is Joe Bryan. He was also an NBA player. Kobe directly entered NBA from high school and played his 20 years of a career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe used to play as shooting guard had a lot of achievements in his basket, including – five NBA championship, 12 times member of the all-defensive team, 15 times member of the All NBA team, two times most valuable player winner in NBA finals, 18 times all-star and much more.
6. Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol is one of the best passing players, and his passing skills falls in line with Chris Webber, Arvydas Sabonis, and Vlade Divac. Passing in the post doesn’t use these days; it’s a lost art. When Gasol started playing with Los Angeles Lakers, he clutched the triangle offense approach, and his passing skills helped to work the triangle correctly. The young fellows should follow Pau’s passing responsiveness with the back to the basket. Pau is the first non-American player to win NBA rookie of the year back in 2002. Like many other great basketball passers, Pau had many achievements as well, like – NBA championship two times, 2 Olympic silver medals, FIBA world cup titles, etc.
7. John Wall
John Wall is a young basketball player who has excellent speed and quickness. His court vision and passing ability are outstanding. Once John will get matured, no wonder that he will become the top five in assists. Many compare John with Derrick Rose, but Rose focuses more on scoring instead of getting his teammates involved. A real point guard always intends to find a way to pass the ball to his teammates and make them in a better position than Wall usually does. Wall has improved gradually, and without any doubt, he will become one of the best passing guards soon.
8. Andre Iguodala
Andre has excellent court awareness. If his size was like a point guard, then he could be one of the top point guards in the NBA. He is such a talented player with excellent passing skills. His athleticism is top-notch. With a combination of high basketball IQ and court vision makes him a top-level basketball player. So far Andre has won three NBA championships and became the most valuable player in the 2015 NBA final.
9. Deron Williams
Deron is a big guy, and he is one of the best scoring point guards in the NBA. People often compare him with Chris Paul for the best point guard position in the NBA. It would be deadly if Dwight Howard and Deron gets paired and play in the same team. Deron is one of the best passers in recent times. He also has a lot of success in his pocket. In the 2008 and 2012 summer Olympic, he was the gold medal winner of the US team.
10. Steve Nash
Steve Nash was one of the great passers in NBA history. He was an excellent passer; aside from this, he also had a unique court vision. Apart from a great basketball career as a player, at present, Nash is serving as a senior advisor of Canadian men’s national team and player development consultant of Golden State Warriors.
So these are my top 10 choices of great NBA passers of all time. I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Thank you, and let me know in the comment section if you have any other choice about the best NBA passers.
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