The best players in history: The best passers in the NBA
For many coaches and experts, the pass is considered the most important fundamental in basketball. Thanks to this, a large number of points have been provided and it is a principle of the collective game. We are used to the great scorers in history resolving in 1 on 1, being the generators of the basket, but there is also the passer as the creator of the final result. Whether hit or miss, the pass initiator offers a simpler, more effective response. So much so, that the teams that give the most assists are usually among the best teams in the league.
In the NBA there are players who took the reins of the pass and gave it unlimited prominence. Whether on the counterattack or in static play, these protagonists, who in a very high percentage are point guards (also called game directors), were the soul and essence of their respective teams.
It is difficult to summarize in a few words what the pass entails in basketball. But if this question interests you, we want to offer you an article, mentioning the best passers in history. We do not want to base ourselves only on those who have made the most passes, but also those who have made passing an art.
THE BEST PASSERS IN THE NBA. FIRST STAGE: BOB COUSY IN ITS PUREST STATE
| THE BEST PINS. YEARS 50 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | NAME | TEAM | TOTALS | |||
| 1st | Bob Cousy | Boston | 5846 | |||
| 2nd | Dick McGuire | New York | 3819 | |||
| 3rd | Slater Martin | Lakers | 3012 | |||
| 4th | andy phillips | Pistons | 2989 | |||
| 5th | Paul Seymour | Syracuse | 2146 |
The first season in the NBA was held in 1949/50, after the previous 3 of the BAA. The leader in assists in its first three editions was Andy Phillip (Chicago/Philadelphia) where for the first time a player reached 8.2 basket passes per game (Temp 51/52) and surpassed the 500 barrier (539) assists in the same campaign.
In his debut in the NBA, the base of the legendary Boston Celtics, Bob Cousy began to revolutionize the pass as a tool, not only for counterattack, but as a means to achieve success. In his third season in the NBA he was already leading the ranking of the best passers in the league and his team was gaining more presence in the NBA. This dominance by passing allowed him to be the best in this section for 8 consecutive seasons, being at that time the only one in history to achieve it. Bob Cousy got his first ring in the 1956/57 season and his total locker has a total of 6. In the Regular League, he got a total of 6955 assists finishing with an average of 7.5 per game.
Bob Cousy- Master of the Fast Break
Bob Cousy not only provided a great number of passes, but he laid the foundation for what is today's spectacular and effective pass. Passes after bounces, ending counterattacks with bounce passes, passes without looking, back passes and endless gestures that are difficult to simplify in words. The passing point guard was vitally important in the game thanks to Bob's interventions. Basketball owes him a lot.
THE BEST PASSERS OF THE FORGOTTEN 60-70
| THE BEST PINS. 1960s | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | NAME | TEAM | TOTALS | |||
| 1st | oscar robertson | bucks | 7731 | |||
| 2nd | Guy Rodgers | philadelphia | 6174 | |||
| 3rd | lenny wilkens | st louis | 4406 | |||
| 4th | jerry west | Lakers | 4023 | |||
| 5th | Wilt Chamberlin | philadelphia | 3429 |
The concept of the point guard changed in the 1960s. He can be described as a player who took the ball for too long and from then on the rest of the team played. More physical and versatile players dominated for years and the greatest example in what we say is "Big O" Robertson. As some already know, good old Oscar is the only one to average a triple-double (30.8p, 12.5r, 11.4a) in an entire season. Despite the fact that he considered himself a scorer, Oscar Robertson ended up as the top passer for 7 seasons, touching the 10,000 assist barrier and becoming the highest pass scorer in NBA history at that time. In addition, he was the first in history to get more than 10 passes per game.
Oscar Robertson - Mr. Triple-Double
Another player who was a great passer was Jerry West. The legendary Lakers outside was an excellent passer, but thanks to the time he handled the ball in his hands, he also offered good passes to open players. He even was the top passer in the 71/72 season.
Two other great passers at the time were Guy Rodgers (Philadelphia/San Francisco) and Lenny Wilkens (St. Louis/Seattle). Both of them weren't as well known as Oscar or Jerry, they were even more faithful to the old style of Bob Cousy. But they left their mark on an NBA that wanted creative players. Which he achieved in the following decade.
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— Zach Silverman (he/him/his) Fri Apr 30 17:01:41 +0000 2021
| THE BEST PINS. 70'S | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | NAME | TEAM | TOTALS | |||
| 1st | Nate Archibald | Sacramento/Boston | 4748 | |||
| 2nd | Norm VanLier | Chicago | 4717 | |||
| 3rd | kevin porter | detroit | 4534 | |||
| 4th | JoJo White | Boston | 3913 | |||
| 5th | Calvin Murphy | houston | 3859 |
In the 1970s, the passing point guard grew compared to the previous decade and laid the foundations for what would be the golden age of the 1980s. Proven players such as Slicks Watts (Max. Passer 1976-Seattle), point guard John Lucas ( Houston/Golden State) and Nate Archibald (MA 1973. Kansas/Boston) had excellent seasons, the latter being the only one to win an NBA ring along with Larry Bird. Kevin Porter (MA 75, 78, 79, 81) was one of the most proven, averaging 13.4 basket passes in the 1978/79 season and was considered one of the best point guards of the time. Buse and DiGregorio managed to be top passers in their Rookie year, but later they had a lower participation. Walt Frazier (NY) was the game manager in the Knicks' heyday, and Dave Bing (Detroit) was an offensive winger with a knack for supplying passes.
But if we want to highlight a player, not only for the ability to provide assists, but for the spectacular nature and execution of the same, that was without a doubt Pete Maravich. His 3,563 basket passes have the signature of "Pistol Pete", which took another step in the evolution of the pass. He was unique in the tremendous skill and control he had on the ball. Some unsuitable juggling of the time, passes without looking, spoon passes, behind the back and the famous pass with the elbow that later years Jason "White Chocolate" Williams made fashionable. He was never the top passer in a season, but without a doubt he is and will continue to be a role model because of his spectacular nature.
Pete Maravich - The Pistol (hd highlights mix)
THE MAGICAL EIGHTIES. THE SHOWTIME OF THE PASS, EXPLODES
| THE BEST PINS. 80's | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | NAME | TEAM | TOTALS | |||
| 1st | magic johnson | Lakers | 8639 | |||
| 2nd | isiah thomas | Pistons | 6985 | |||
| 3rd | Maurice Cheks | Sixers | 5678 | |||
| 4th | Reggie Theus | Bull's | 5131 | |||
| 5th | John Stockton | Jazz | 5075 |
It is the stage that we remember everything and with melancholy. Attacks started to be much more dynamic, more attacking possessions, higher scoring and teams with more rotations in their minutes. Dream show that coincided with the entrance of "Magic" Johnson (MA 83/84/86/87 -Lakers) and Larry Bird (Boston). A rivalry that began at the University and that extended to the NBA. These two players prioritized winning at any cost, rather than the selfish desire to add numbers. It coincided that his performances were dreamlike, but the spectacle and the constant feeling of danger that they generated was special, thanks to his ease in passing. "Showtime" was created by the Lakers in this decade, but the feeling of high tempo was pervasive.
[HD] Magic Johnson & Larry Bird - [MIX 2012]
Thanks to these two players, other talents had to work hard to make themselves stand out, including Isiah Thomas (MA 85. Detroit), Johnny Moore (MA 82. San Antonio), Maurice Cheeks (Philadelphia), Derek Harper (Dallas ), Norm Dixon (Lakers/Clippers), Reggie Theus (Chicago/Sacramento) and Fat Lever (Denver), among others. From the second half of this decade, the revolution increased even more.
John Stockton debuted in the 1984/85 season. His ease with creating the pass (especially with one hand) and his almost perpetual connection with Karl Malone made it easy for him to be considered the quintessential passer. Up to nine consecutive times he finished as the top passer in the NBA, holding the current record for the best league in the world and whose averages have been the highest in history. For example, in the 89/90 season he gave up to 14.5 basket passes per game. On 10 occasions he reached a whopping 20 (or more) assists, his top being 27 against New York. He is currently the player who has made the most passes in history with a total of 15,806, almost 3,800 more than the second-placed player. Insuperable.
John Stockton - Passing Skills
But the creative players didn't stick with Stockton. As we have already told you before, in the second half of this decade, other players combined physique, offensive talent and also extraordinary passing ability. Among some of this huge list we have Tim Hardaway (Golden State/Miami), Mark Jackson (NY/Indiana), Mark Price (Cleveland), Muggsy Bogues (Hornets), Rod Strickland (Portland/Washington), Terry Porter (Portland) and Kevin Johnson (Phoenix). For most, their maximum splendor was in the 90's, but they started waging war at the end of the 80's and they showed an excellent version.
THE 90S: THE RECOMPOSITION OF THE PASS
| THE BEST PINS. 90'S | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | NAME | TEAM | TOTALS | |||
| 1st | John Stockton | Jazz | 8715 | |||
| 2nd | Mark Jackson | New York/Pacers | 6483 | |||
| 3rd | Rod Strickland | Wizards | 5936 | |||
| 4th | Tim Hardaway | Warriors/Heat | 5621 | |||
| 5th | Avery Johnson | spurs | 4913 |
The NBA was focused on Michael Jordan and his sensational plays. His successes in the 90s and the memory of the 80s eclipsed many of the players of this decade, who despite enormous talent and great versatility, had to fight (a lot) to get their place in the league. The (hateful) comparisons happened over and over again. The veterans of the 1980s were passing masters, referring to the long-lived Stockton, Jackson, Strickland, Hardaway, Bogues and Johnson. Others like Derek Harper continued to offer their experience in the different teams in which he was. However, they were not the only ones.
At the beginning of the decade, several players like Kenny Anderson (Nets) and Gary Payton (Seattle) broke into force in their first years, with intensity and speed being their weapons. His teams grew in importance in the league and it would be the beginning of an excellent career, especially for "the glove". With Anfernee Hardaway, those nostalgic for "Magic" Johnson saw him as the future heir to the pass. His height of 2.01 to be a base and his plasticity were his main virtues. The connection with Shaquille O'neal was very noticeable. But new players kept coming out of the hat and a year before the hopeful debut of Damon Stoudamire (Toronto), the sensational Jason Kidd made his NBA debut.
Jason Kidd Top 10 Assists
From the 1998/99 season to 2003/04, good old Jason Kidd was the top passer in the league five times (out of six). His speed in transitions, his ease in passing and facilitating the aerial game to his teammates and the power they had in the race, made him the best point guard at the moment. He maybe he didn't materialize in rings, but in respect.
The record for assists in an NBA game was made by Scott Skiles, point guard for the Orlando Magic, whose figure rises to 30. It was on December 30, 1990 against the Denver Nuggets. A good way to end that year.
Scott Skiles NBA record 30 assists
But the spark of creativity was put by the good guy Jason Williams. Already in his first year in the NBA, he amazed in his debut with the Sacramento Kings, not only for the number of passes he offered to his teammates, but for the ease and skill in creating them. He seemed like the reincarnation of Pete Maravich, a mixture of creativity, cheek and a scoundrel on the dance floor, who favored the show to unsuspected levels. His career was more focused on the early 2000s, but his first two years in the league created the "White Chocolate" myth.
Jason Williams' Top 10 Assists of his career
THE 21ST CENTURY. ITS EVOLUTION UP TO THE PRESENT DAY
| THE BEST PINS. YEARS 2000-PRESENT | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | NAME | TEAM | TOTALS | |||
| 1st | Steve Nash | Mavericks/Suns | 9444 | |||
| 2nd | Jason Kidd | Mavericks/Suns/Nets | 8243 | |||
| 3rd | Andrew Miller | Cavaliers/Nuggets | 7711 | |||
| 4th | Chris-Paul | NO /Clippers | 6112 | |||
| 5th | Lebron James | Cavaliers/Heat | 5791 |
This is the most recent stage that starts from the 2000/01 season to the present day. Some of the protagonists that we detail in the 90s have their heyday in the 21st century, as is the case of Jason Kidd, being three times at this time the top passer of the season. We also have Andre Miller and the 10.9 passes from him (Cleveland-2001/02) per night that he managed, being the highest mark since the 1996/97 season.
However, despite the presence of these excellent passers and more, Steve Nash had a sensational display of play that took place mainly in the Phoenix and in which he was worth to be the MVP for two consecutive years. 15 years later since Lakers point guard "Magic" Johnson did it. Good old Steve won the award for best regular season passer in five seasons, being among the five players who won the distinction the most times (along with Kidd). He is currently the third player who has given the most assists in the history of the league.
Chris Paul HD Career Mix - Born to Do
If we think of the two best current passers, we think of Rajon Rondo (Celtics) and Chris Paul (Clippers). Both already know what it is to be the best passer and seem to be the dominators of this stat, since in five of the last seven seasons we have one of these two representatives. However, the NBA does not just stop there. At the time Deron Williams (Nets) was one of their best representatives, although he is more familiar with the 3-pointer, Stephen Curry (Golden State) is an excellent passer, we also have Ricky Rubio (Minnesota) and his no-look passes happen once in a while. and again. Unfortunately for us, he has missed a lot of games in the NBA.
Ricky Rubio Passing Highlights
They are all masters in the art of the pass. Some, as a show formula and others to generate security and control of the pace of the game for their teams, but all offer brilliance in one of the fundamentals that will never cease to be fashionable in basketball. Here we have presented many of the best passers in the history of the NBA, but it is true that we lack other names to mention. Who do you prefer? Who do you think is the best passer of all time?
