Who actually is the best ball handler in the NBA today?
LeBron James believes two of the best dribblers in the history of the NBA will be on display during these NBA Finals.
“They are two of the best ball handlers that this league has ever seen,” James said Wednesday at Oracle Arena, where the teams held their final practice before the start of the series.
“Their ability to make shots off the handle, Steph’s ability to use his handle to get off shots, those step-backs and Kyrie’s ability to be crafty, use his ability to get into the lane and make shots. When you have a handle like that, you can pretty much get any shot you want, and they both show you that. With their speed, their change of pace, their ballhandling, and then their ability to shoot the ball. They can absolutely just shoot the rock.”
The two have different styles altogether.
While Curry uses his handle to set up teammates or free himself up for a stepback, Irving’s joy is to blitz a defender with his handle, leaving embarrassed guards in his wake at every turn.
“Not being afraid to try that move that your coach tells you not to do, like being on a fast break and doing double moves and your coach wants you to do a regular layup. I don’t believe in that. I believe in having creativity in the game and bringing excitement to what everyone kind of is afraid to do, I’m willing to do it,” Irving said.
“I think Steph has that same mindset, that fearless, whatever at the given moment, instincts. It would be a crazy play for someone else, but for us it’s like it’s just the game. So this is a true art form that I truly appreciate and love that we get recognition for it.”
Both men refer to the likes of Chris Paul and others when discussing who truly has the NBA’s best handle. What are your thoughts?