Latest news with #ballhandling
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"Isiah Thomas would be right there as 1B"- Jason Kidd's candid take on Kyrie Irving being the NBA's undisputed ball-handler
Having impressed us for years with his razzle and dazzle on the court, Kyrie Irving's wizardry with the ball makes him a nightmare for the opposition. The 6'2" guard's deep bag of moves, especially with the basketball in his hand, coupled with his clutch gene, have etched his name in history. A perfect combination of speed, agility and creativity, "Uncle Drew" is arguably the greatest ball-handler the league has ever seen. This discussion also reached "The Dan Patrick Show," with Kyrie's Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd dishing out his take on the matter. Advertisement When asked if anyone had a better handle than Kyrie in NBA history, J-Kidd responded, "I'm gonna say no, but I'm gonna say there's some close seconds when you talk about Detroit Isiah Thomas. Jason Williams (White Chocolate) I thought his handle and his passing is incredible. I think Isiah would be right there as 1B." "Zeke's" dribbling prowess went unnoticed Host Dan Patrick and Jason agreed on the Detroit Pistons legend not getting his due and being extremely underrated, even discussing the possible reasons behind it. Widely considered the second-greatest point guard behind Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas was one of the league's most prominent names in the late '80s. At 6'1", the Pistons star built his legacy on elite scoring, sharp playmaking, leadership, and exceptional ball-handling. Advertisement Among all his abilities, many felt "Zeke's" dribbling abilities didn't get the limelight it deserved. "I think sometimes it's our fault. I don't know if we do a good job of storytelling for Isiah or our past players," stated the now-Mavs head coach. Adding to the 2011 champion's take, host Patrick weighed in, saying, "I think with Isiah, the likability, the way they played, they were the bad boys, you know, they were trying to hurt Jordan. I think that maybe plays into it with Isiah." One could assume that Thomas' feud with Michael Jordan painted him as a villain to a great extent. This rings especially true for the current generation, many of whom primarily associate the Pistons' champion with Netflix's award-winning docuseries, The Last Dance. For them, Isiah's legacy is often filtered through that narrative, overshadowing the full scope of his career and accomplishments. The age-old conspiracy theory that the Pistons guard did not make the 1992 Olympic Dream Team remains a hot topic of debate even today. All assumptions and narratives point towards Jordan despising "Zeke," something the latter only learned about during MJ's docuseries. From how things stand today, reconciliation between the two Hall of Famers looks far from happening. Advertisement Related: "When you get somebody with that kind of potential and they're white and you are in America, you keep that dude" - Stephen A. Smith claims Dallas must draft and keep Cooper Flagg Other prominent ball-handlers While J-Kidd mentioned Jason Williams (White Chocolate) apart from "Zeke" as one of his nominees, there are a couple of names that could also make the list for their knack for dribbling past opponents, including Allen Iverson, Tim Hardaway and Stephon Marbury. Talking about current established names, the likes of Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, James Harden and Damian Lillard are popular for their ankle-breaking moves. Looking ahead, budding talents such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball and Darius Garland have displayed the potential of being top-class ball-handlers for years to come. With their shiftiness and court awareness, these rising guards are well on their way to becoming the next generation of maestros with the ball in their hands. Related: Kidd breaks down why the Mavs are a perfect landing spot for Cooper Flagg: "This is a great situation for him to grow his game"
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tracy McGrady thinks Jamaal Tinsley has better handles than Kyrie Irving: "Probably the best I've seen"
Tracy McGrady thinks Jamaal Tinsley has better handles than Kyrie Irving: "Probably the best I've seen" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Kyrie Irving is one of the most electrifying bucket-getters in the NBA, thanks not only to his scoring arsenal but also to his masterful handles. But according to Tracy McGrady, Jamaal Tinsley was on another level when it comes to handling the ball, even though he admits Irving is still a must-watch. Advertisement "Man, I don't think nobody had better handles than Jamaal Tinsley, even Kyrie," McGrady said on The Young Man & the Three podcast. "I think Jamaal Tinsley's handles were probably the best I've seen. That's an argument, though. He was nice with that thing on a string." The best ball handler debate Most still pick Irving as the best ball handler in NBA history. Allen Iverson, for example, belongs in that group. He aptly described Irving's style as similar to a predator playing around with its prey. "He got the best," A.I. said of Irving's handles on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O'Neal and Adam Lefkoe. "Kyrie will have you beat, and then bring it back and play with it. He's toying with people, you know what I mean? He can still just go, but if he feels like playing with you." Advertisement Now, Shaquille O'Neal disagreed with Iverson's pick, naming Jason Williams, his former Miami Heat point guard, as his personal best. O'Neal said Irving's style is too herky-jerky for his taste, while Williams had the whole package and was a smoother operator. In addition to Tinsley, Irving, Iverson and Williams, Jamal Crawford is mentioned in this conversation. Crawford's handle was so fluid that even seasoned defenders struggled to stay in front of him. He also had patented dribble moves that only he could do in a real game. Then there's Stephen Curry, whose combination of tight handles and unlimited range puts constant pressure on defenses. Curry's handle may not be as flashy as Irving's or Crawford's, but his control and ability to create space using that dribble are unmatched. Related: "Yeah, they'll probably have to do something" - Bird says the NBA will be forced to move the 3-point line back if high volume continues What Tinsley was known for in the NBA After his New York streetball days, during which he earned the nickname "Mel the Abuser," Tinsley went on to carve out a solid 11-year NBA career with multiple teams. As a rookie, he even ranked among the league leaders in assists per game, showcasing his elite playmaking from day one. Advertisement Tinsley's ball handling was controlled and deliberate, with an old-school feel contrasting with Irving's flashier approach. Whether that's a positive or a knock depends on personal taste. However, beyond his handles and playmaking, Tinsley is often remembered for his role in sparking the Malice at the Palace. As Stephen Jackson recalled on the "All The Smoke" podcast, it was Jamaal who told Ron Artest to deliver a hard foul on Ben Wallace in retaliation for a hit Artest had taken during the previous year's Eastern Conference Finals. If it weren't for Tinsley's advice, the worst player-fan brawl in NBA history might've never happened. While his unwelcome participation in the Malice will always be part of Tinsley's NBA story, his ball handling will always come No.1 . It's part of his game that too often gets lost in the conversation and one that earned quiet respect, even if it didn't always grab the spotlight. Advertisement Related: "Isiah Thomas would be right there as 1B"- Jason Kidd's candid take on Kyrie Irving being the NBA's undisputed ball-handler This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
