Three-pointers, three-pointers, three-pointers run the NBA right now, but do you remember James Harden’s stepback-and-staredown of Wesley Johnson last season? A mean ankle-breaker still gets the people going.
Among the guys we’re watching for this season are the players with the best handles in the league. Teams pass more than ever to keep the offense moving — and to find those catch-and-shoot options — and that’s all fine, but let’s not let it overshadow some of the best patented dribble moves in the NBA.
James Harden’s stepback
Obviously, this move is on watch.
To this day, truthers still cry travel on the play, but the initial hop back is considered a gather, not a step. Harden’s footwork is practiced to perfection, and by getting low — Harden likes to use his head as a battering ram to create space — he can explode off a step. (Bonus if you can shoot that stepback jumper from beyond the arc.)
Kemba Walker’s crossover
Ever since winning the NCAA championship in 2011, Kemba Walker has been known for that killer crossover of his. He’s the spiritual successor to Allen Iverson or Tim Hardaway, 6-foot firecrackers with zippy handles. Kemba has fleshed his game out in the right ways over a 7-year career in Charlotte, but to this day, nothing is nicer than when he can catch a guy — or two — leaning with that low and explosive cross.
DeMarcus Cousins’ crossover
Don’t forget that the big fella has a killer cross too! The Golden State Warriors getting even better by adding Cousins is kind of a good metaphor for Cousins — maybe the most dominant post presence in the NBA and even a high-volume three-point shooter these days — adding some handles to his game.
The Warriors may not even need him to handle the ball this season, but if defenders forget about it, Boogie will gladly put a guy in his rearview.
Jamal Crawford’s behind-the-back
He’s on the last legs of his NBA career, but no list of top NBA dribblers would be complete without the godfather of breaking ankles, Jamal Crawford. Listed at 6’5 and a generous 200 lbs, it’s his bag of tricks that has kept the spindly Crawford in the league for so long, and age hasn’t hampered his ability to cross dudes up.
Nobody has as much dexterity on their behind-the-back move — he goes wide and high with his dribble to get defenders chasing the ball, framing them up for failure.
Kyrie Irving’s crossover-and-spin
There are a lot of great ball-handlers in the NBA, but Kyrie Irving might be untouchable at the top by consensus. He’ll have moves that are hard enough on their own, and string them together like nothing. Not just anyone can dribble like Kyrie, is what we’re saying — but it’s hard to deny that his moves are tops in the game.
An emerging favourite of Irving’s is the crossover going one way, and then a spin to go right back the other. It’s like a double-cross, but with more disrespect. See the third video, where he somehow spins *through* a trap.
Now, these guys are all masters of their craft, but TSN boasts an ankle bully of its own. Kemba and Boogie have nothing on Kate Beirness’ crossover!
