Joakim Noah - Greatest passing center of all time?

[iamgine]

Is he better than Vlade Divac?

[LAZERUSS]

Is he better than Vlade Divac?


Is Noah LEADING the league in assists this year???

I must have missed something...

[TaLvsCuaL]

Sabonis is the greatest passing center of all time

[Im Still Ballin]

No way Vlade would destroy him

[Brizzly]

he is better than god

http://giant.gfycat.com/SameDevotedCoral.gif

[Suguru101]

Either Walton or Russell.

Wilt had high assists numbers in some seasons, but its well documented that he forced the passes a lot, and got mad at teammates when they didn't take the shot immediately after a pass. Got it from Bill Simmon's book, which has very good sources.

[dannysc305]

GTFOH with that bold ass claim :facepalm

[LAZERUSS]

Either Walton or Russell.

Wilt had high assists numbers in some seasons, but its well documented that he forced the passes a lot, and got mad at teammates when they didn't take the shot immediately after a pass. Got it from Bill Simmon's book, which has very good sources.

Yep. Simmons claimed that Wilt deliberately set out to lead the league in assists,...and which he did. Oh, and BTW, his Sixers RAN AWAY with the best record in the league that year, too.

And just the season before, he came in THIRD. And then he had TWO STRAIGHT 20-20-10 playoff series, in leading his Sixers to the Finals, where he then wiped the floor with Thurmond, and led his Sixers to a dominating world championship.

[TheReal Kendall]

Sabonis is the greatest passing center of all time

This

[RoseCity07]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif

[Smoke117]

Bill Walton is the best passing center of all time and if not him it's Arvydas Sabonis. If Sabas came into the league before his knees were ****ed it would definitely be him...but the same could be said about Bill Walton and his injuries. The guy basically created so many shots for his teammates. He was amazing. Joakim Noah is joke compared to Walton and Sabonis as a passer.

On that note he isn't even a real center except in this league. Garnett coming into the league post 06 would be a center in this day and age and he makes Noah look like a joke as far as passing and play making.

[LAZERUSS]

8.6 apg
7.8 apg

Entire playoff run of 9.0 apg...

[TheReal Kendall]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif

:applause: :bowdown:

[JohnFreeman]

Divac was better

[LAZERUSS]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaHmn7qcCaM

[LAZERUSS]

24.1 ppg, 24.2 rpg, .683 FG%, 7.8 apg... 68-13 W-L
24.3 ppg, 23.8 rpg, .595 FG%, 8.6 apg... 62-20 W-L

33.5 ppg, 24.6 rpg, .540 FG%, 5.2 apg... 55-25 W-L

[Suguru101]

8.6 apg
7.8 apg

Entire playoff run of 9.0 apg...

Can't you acknowledge the fact that Walton was better? I mean, i'm not even saying that Walton is a better player, just a better passer. Stop being so defensive.

Oh and Wilt forced passes, Walton and Russell had their teams offense and passing built around them. They facilitated.

Wilt just passed mostly after the other team thought he was going to score and lost focus.

[T_L_P]

24.1 ppg, 24.2 rpg, .683 FG%, 7.8 apg... 68-13 W-L
24.3 ppg, 23.8 rpg, .595 FG%, 8.6 apg... 62-20 W-L

33.5 ppg, 24.6 rpg, .540 FG%, 5.2 apg... 55-25 W-L

Can't you put all of this in one post?

[JimmyMcAdocious]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif

GOAT pose. :bowdown:

[LAZERUSS]

Can't you acknowledge the fact that Walton was better? I mean, i'm not even saying that Walton is a better player, just a better passer. Stop being so defensive.

Oh and Wilt forced passes, Walton and Russell had their teams offense and passing built around them. They facilitated.

Wilt just passed mostly after the other team thought he was going to score and lost focus.

The numbers don't lie. Chamberlain led the league in assists in an era when they were more difficult to come by.

His two top seasons are MILES ahead of any other center who has ever played the game.

Oh, and he did so while leading his team's to, by-far-and-away, the best records in the league.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Sabonis is the greatest passing center of all time
this
Divac, walton and Chamberlain were all CLEARLY better too.
Chamberlain averaged 9 assists for a season when assists where much harder to get

[Suguru101]

The numbers don't lie. Chamberlain led the league in assists in an era when they were more difficult to come by.

His two top seasons are MILES ahead of any other center who has ever played the game.

Oh, and he did so while leading his team's to, by-far-and-away, the best records in the league.

Numbers do lie: Ty Lawson is averaging more assists than Rubio this season, he's not a better passer.

Brandon Jennings is averaging more assists than LeBron, he's not a better passer.

Wilt was a very good passer sometimes, but he is not the greatest passing center, Bill Walton is. And Russell was also better, though not as flashing and he didn't look for the assist as much.

[Rocketswin2013]

Peak D Rob was also better.....



I hate this thread

[LAZERUSS]

Numbers do lie: Ty Lawson is averaging more assists than Rubio this season, he's not a better passer.

Brandon Jennings is averaging more assists than LeBron, he's not a better passer.

Wilt was a very good passer sometimes, but he is not the greatest passing center, Bill Walton is. And Russell was also better, though not as flashing and he didn't look for the assist as much.


Yep. We have Chamberlain averaging 24 ppg, twice, and coming in third and first in assists, all while leading the league in rebounding, FG%, and very likely bpg...but he was not that good of a passer.

BTW, in the '67 EDF's, Chamberlain averaged 22 ppg, 32 rpg, .556 FG%, and 10.0 apg, to Russell's 10 ppg, 23 rpg, .358 FG%, and 6 apg. Oh, and just the series before that, Wilt averaged 28 ppg, 27 rpg, .617 FG%, and 11.0 apg...

[JohnFreeman]

Howard was decent with Orlando, if I remember correctly.

[LAZERUSS]

Numbers do lie: Ty Lawson is averaging more assists than Rubio this season, he's not a better passer.

Brandon Jennings is averaging more assists than LeBron, he's not a better passer.

Wilt was a very good passer sometimes, but he is not the greatest passing center, Bill Walton is. And Russell was also better, though not as flashing and he didn't look for the assist as much.

BTW, I have no doubt that Jason Williams was a much more spectacular passer than John Stockton.

[MJ(Mean John)]

he is better than god

http://giant.gfycat.com/SameDevotedCoral.gif


my man here, looks like he was sucked out of his powers from the space jam movie. lls.

[MJ(Mean John)]

Sabonis is the greatest passing center of all time


and this thread was over right when it started.

lets be real doe. in terms of a passer, Noah is up there with Vlade.

Sabonner? BEAST

[Suguru101]

Yep. We have Chamberlain averaging 24 ppg, twice, and coming in third and first in assists, all while leading the league in rebounding, FG%, and very likely bpg...but he was not that good of a passer.

BTW, in the '67 EDF's, Chamberlain averaged 22 ppg, 32 rpg, .556 FG%, and 10.0 apg, to Russell's 10 ppg, 23 rpg, .358 FG%, and 6 apg. Oh, and just the series before that, Wilt averaged 27 ppg, 28 rpg, .617 FG%, and 11.0 apg...

I appreciate your knowledge, but you can't even begin to consider my arguments and my points, you just think about your. I'm not arguing with someone so closed off, night.

Btw: Bill Walton was a better passer in every-way, stats or no stats. Go read some articles or watch some videos of the 1977 Finals.

And i didn't say Wilt wasn't that good, i said he was a very good passer sometimes.

[LAZERUSS]

I appreciate your knowledge, but you can't even begin to consider my arguments and my points, you just think about your. I'm not arguing with someone so closed off, night.

Btw: Bill Walton was a better passer in every-way, stats or no stats. Go read some articles or watch some videos of the 1977 Finals.

And i didn't say Wilt wasn't that good, i said he was a very good passer sometimes.

It just amazes me though, that someone would just casually claim that Wilt wasn't the best passing center of all-time, without a shred of evidence to back it up.

Go ahead and look up Walton's best season...and compare it, across the board, to Wilt's best season(s.)

Wilt did EVERYTHING better (except shoot FT's.)

[iamgine]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif
:applause:

[MJ(Mean John)]

It just amazes me though, that someone would just casually claim that Wilt wasn't the best passing center of all-time, without a shred of evidence to back it up.

Go ahead and look up Walton's best season...and compare it, across the board, to Wilt's best season(s.)

Wilt did EVERYTHING better (except shoot FT's.)


A lot of Wilts assists wasn't because he was playmaking, and got his teammates some crazy looks, it was more iverson assists. It was more, "hey they can't guard me 1 on 1, so they keep on doubling and I'm just going to hit the open man again"

[LAZERUSS]

A lot of Wilts assists wasn't because he was playmaking, and got his teammates some crazy looks, it was more iverson assists. It was more, "hey they can't guard me 1 on 1, so they keep on doubling and I'm just going to hit the open man again"

In the 2% of footage that exists over the course of Wilt's entire career, there is ample evidence of Wilt being a brilliant passer.

But, even if he wasn't a Maravich in terms of sensational passing, the fact was, he got results. Again, I watched Jason Williams make some unfathomable passes...and I am convinced that Stockton couldn't have made those passes, either. But, which guy are you going to take?

[SamuraiSWISH]

Bill Walton, and Sabonis HATE OP

[SHAQisGOAT]

That would be Bill Walton. Go watch him play/pass, look at the impact he had when he was in/out, look at how he improved his teams/teammates.


In terms of passing-skills, Noah has shown that he can really get it done at center, great passer for his position along the lines of dudes like Walton, Wilt, Sabonis, Russell, Kareem, Sam Lacey, Divac, Unseld, D-Rob, Alvan Adams, Cowens, Sikma, Jeff Ruland, Lanier, Daugherty.......

[T_L_P]

Brad Daugherty deserves a mention

[Dengness9]

He's obviously not even close to that. But he still has some years to go to get up there with the best passing big men ever.

Regardless, this season has been sensational for Noah, especially with his triple Dbls w/ assists and a 5+ apg average.

I wanna see some playoff trip dubs doeeeeeeeeee.

[Suguru101]

That would be Bill Walton. Go watch him play/pass, look at the impact he had when he was in/out, look at how he improved his teams/teammates.


In terms of passing-skills, Noah has shown that he can really get it done at center, great passer for his position along the lines of dudes like Walton, Wilt, Sabonis, Russell, Kareem, Sam Lacey, Divac, Unseld, D-Rob, Alvan Adams, Cowens, Sikma, Jeff Ruland, Lanier, Daugherty.......

Ah, we agree yet again on Walton. :applause:

[LAZERUSS]

BTW, Vlade Divac had one of the greatest passing seasons by a big man in NBA history in 02-03, when he averaged 5.3 apg and in less than 29 mpg.

[LAZERUSS]

Some Examples...

Playoff game of 16 points, 30 rebounds, 19 assists.
Playoff game of 24 points, 32 rebounds, 12 blocks, 13 assists

Regular season game of 22 points, 25 rebounds, 21 assists.
Regular season game of 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists.
Regular season game of 41 points, 16-18 FG/FGA, 23 rebounds, 13 assists.
Regular season game of 22 points, 27 rebounds, 19 assists.

[Psileas]

That would be Bill Walton. Go watch him play/pass, look at the impact he had when he was in/out, look at how he improved his teams/teammates.


In terms of passing-skills, Noah has shown that he can really get it done at center, great passer for his position along the lines of dudes like Walton, Wilt, Sabonis, Russell, Kareem, Sam Lacey, Divac, Unseld, D-Rob, Alvan Adams, Cowens, Sikma, Jeff Ruland, Lanier, Daugherty.......

Add seldom referenced Tom Boerwinkle.

[LAZERUSS]

Add seldom referenced Tom Boerwinkle.

He was also a great rebounder, albeit, in less mpg. He still holds the Bulls record for rebounds in a game, at 37.

His best seasons, in overall play, stack up against this year's Noah's...

Noah in 2013-14: 34.9 mpg, 12.5 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 5.2 apg, .480 FG%
Boerwinkle in 70-71: 28.9 mpg, 10.8 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, .485 FG%

Oh, and for those fans of advanced stats: Noah has an 18.1 TRB% this year.
In 70-71, Boerwinkle's was at 22.6 .

[sportjames23]

Noah's my dude, but off the top of my head, some better passing big men would be Arvidas Sabonis, Bill Walton, Brad Daugherty and Kareem.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Ah, we agree yet again on Walton. :applause:

:cheers:

I think that most people - who know their shit - would have Walton as the greatest passing center.. Not that (few) others don't have a case, of course.

[dr.hee]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif

:applause:

This needs "deal with it" and sunglasses. Sabonis was so awesome.

[hangintheair]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif

(

[qrich]

Sabonis is the greatest passing center of all time

Yes.

[HomieWeMajor]

Wilt Chamberlain was the orgininal statpadder

[Take Your Lumps]

http://giant.gfycat.com/SameDevotedCoral.gif

[iznogood]

He's not even better passer than Marc Gasol. I don't care what the stats say and I'll admit he makes correct passes, but he gets a lot of assist because Thibs recognises it's an efficient for the Bulls to play this way instead of posting him up and play 1:1. He's nowhere near Sabonis or Divac in my opinion. And I'm not even taking Walton in consideration, who was supposed to the best center, because I haven't seen him play. He's a great passer, but he doesn't stand out when compared to other great passers.

[Dr Hawk]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3-C7DRg_4Y8/UoaYOkYkuFI/AAAAAAAAAHk/XMH_Noho3a0/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+2.gif

[Harison]

Is he better than Vlade Divac?
Were you too young when Sabonis played? Another passing superstar was Walton. Even Russell with Wilt are >>> Noah passing wise.

[Harison]

:cheers:

I think that most people - who know their shit - would have Walton as the greatest passing center.. Not that (few) others don't have a case, of course.

Walton definitely has a case, but interestingly he himself said Sabonis was better at passing.

[AirFederer]

Is he better than Vlade Divac?

He`s good and all, but come on

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130211204344/adventuretimewithfinnandjake/images/8/8f/Funny-gif-Bruce-Lee-laughing.gif

[Blue&Orange]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3-C7DRg_4Y8/UoaYOkYkuFI/AAAAAAAAAHk/XMH_Noho3a0/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+2.gif
:bowdown:

[Harison]

Sabas highlights in NBA:

http://youtu.be/VO3IundC-e4?t=38s

[Dro]

Bill Walton and Arvidas Sabonis say hello...

[KDthunderup]

Disgusting how no one has mentioned the GOAT passer of our generation Sir Perkins

http://nahodsa.sk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PerkinsPass_original.gif

[tmacattack33]

Disgusting how no one has mentioned the GOAT passer of our generation Sir Perkins

http://nahodsa.sk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PerkinsPass_original.gif


:oldlol:

[wakencdukest]

:applause:

This needs "deal with it" and sunglasses. Sabonis was so awesome.




I like how he just freezes in place and doesn't even turn around cause he knows it's a guaranteed bucket. :lol

[BoutPractice]

He's not even the greatest passing center in the league right now. Don't get me wrong, he's amazing as a passer (and as a player overall), and you couldn't ask much more from him than what he's doing right now, but he doesn't have the kind of otherwordly vision you see in the truly remarkable passing bigmen.

[SCdac]

Those Sabonis gifs :bowdown:

[kshutts1]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3-C7DRg_4Y8/UoaYOkYkuFI/AAAAAAAAAHk/XMH_Noho3a0/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+2.gif

How long does he hold that pose? :lol

[kshutts1]

Perhaps OP should define what he means by "greatest passing...". Is it the fabulous assist? Or is it the effective passing/assist?

Jason Williams is more fabulous than Stockton, but not more effective.

Sabonis is probably the most fabulous passing C of all time... not sure if he was (or was not, for that matter) the most effective.

Others that deserve mention, though they have been mentioned multiple times....
Russell, Chamberlain, Walton, Sabonis, Shaq... not sure too many other Cs should be mentioned here, though I likely missed some obvious ones.

[Dengness9]

He's not even better passer than Marc Gasol. I don't care what the stats say and I'll admit he makes correct passes, but he gets a lot of assist because Thibs recognises it's an efficient for the Bulls to play this way instead of posting him up and play 1:1. He's nowhere near Sabonis or Divac in my opinion. And I'm not even taking Walton in consideration, who was supposed to the best center, because I haven't seen him play. He's a great passer, but he doesn't stand out when compared to other great passers.


To say he's nowhere close is a little extreme.

Thibs runs his offense through Noah because that's how good of a passer he is. Thibs wouldn't be able to do the same with 99% of other centers in the league w/ Noah at the high post driving and dishing or standing and killing the D w/ backdoor passes they know are coming BUT STILL CAN'T STOP.

You realize Noah is over 5apg on the lowest scoring offense in the NBA?

Give the man credit, he's been retarded this year homie.

[fpliii]

Why does everything today have to be the best/greatest/etc. "of all time"?

:rolleyes:

I do love watching him play, though.

[T_L_P]

Perhaps OP should define what he means by "greatest passing...". Is it the fabulous assist? Or is it the effective passing/assist?

Jason Williams is more fabulous than Stockton, but not more effective.

Sabonis is probably the most fabulous passing C of all time... not sure if he was (or was not, for that matter) the most effective.

Others that deserve mention, though they have been mentioned multiple times....
Russell, Chamberlain, Walton, Sabonis, Shaq... not sure too many other Cs should be mentioned here, though I likely missed some obvious ones.

I'd add Daugherty to that list. Divac too.

[kshutts1]

I'd add Daugherty to that list. Divac too.
Divac was the obvious one I forgot. I knew there was at least one. Total mistake on my part. Daughtery I unfortunately do not know much about.

[Dengness9]

He's not even the greatest passing center in the league right now. Don't get me wrong, he's amazing as a passer (and as a player overall), and you couldn't ask much more from him than what he's doing right now, but he doesn't have the kind of otherwordly vision you see in the truly remarkable passing bigmen.


So who do you have in front of him? I respect your post but there is no better passing big in 2013-14 than Joakim Noah.

4 triple doubles?

Games with assist totals of 11,11,13,14,11, 13,10.

Furthermore 32 games of 6+ assists this season with many of those games being 7-9 assists.

Speaking on your point of the great overall season he is having, Joakim is clearly the defensive anchor of the Bulls and hopefully the DPOY. To do all that on defense and to be able to do as much on the other end is equally as impressive as anything.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

No one say Brad Miller yet:biggums: :biggums: only reason that whiteboi made the allstar team cuz of his passing:biggums:

Kings had CWebb, Brad and Vlade all the same team no wonder they passing was sick:biggums:

[Dengness9]

No one say Brad Miller yet:biggums: :biggums: only reason that whiteboi made the allstar team cuz of his passing:biggums:

Kings had CWebb, Brad and Vlade all the same team no wonder they passing was sick:biggums:


B-rad was a really good passing big men. I actually believe Joakim has credited Miller for teaching him some dime skills in their time together in Chicago.

[Dro]

No one say Brad Miller yet:biggums: :biggums: only reason that whiteboi made the allstar team cuz of his passing:biggums:

Kings had CWebb, Brad and Vlade all the same team no wonder they passing was sick:biggums:
I agree but Webber is not a center...He could play center in today's NBA but we know he's a PF...

[Bodhi]

Perhaps OP should define what he means by "greatest passing...". Is it the fabulous assist? Or is it the effective passing/assist?

Jason Williams is more fabulous than Stockton, but not more effective.

Sabonis is probably the most fabulous passing C of all time... not sure if he was (or was not, for that matter) the most effective.

Others that deserve mention, though they have been mentioned multiple times....
Russell, Chamberlain, Walton, Sabonis, Shaq... not sure too many other Cs should be mentioned here, though I likely missed some obvious ones.
This is a great point and a reason why flashy past players like Walton and Pistol Pete get overrated as passers. All that really exists of them are the highlights and written accounts of how great they were.

But then you look at the turnover numbers and they're huge. Bill Walton had a higher turnover % than his assist % for his career because for all the great looking passes he was throwing, he was throwing just as many risky ones into the stands

[kamil]

Why does everything today have to be the best/greatest/etc. "of all time"?

:rolleyes:

I do love watching him play, though.

Entitlement.

For the general public, everything has to be bigger, better, faster, stronger, etc. The same goes for fans on ISH...

[Dro]

This is a great point and a reason why flashy past players like Walton and Pistol Pete get overrated as passers. All that really exists of them are the highlights and written accounts of how great they were.

But then you look at the turnover numbers and they're huge. Bill Walton had a higher turnover % than his assist % for his career because for all the great looking passes he was throwing, he was throwing just as many risky ones into the stands
But Walton also had the ball in his hands more and the offense was run through him often. So his usage rate is probably higher...At least, Id assume it was higher...

[r0drig0lac]

Russell, Walton, Divac and Sabonis

[SHAQisGOAT]

This is a great point and a reason why flashy past players like Walton and Pistol Pete get overrated as passers. All that really exists of them are the highlights and written accounts of how great they were.

But then you look at the turnover numbers and they're huge. Bill Walton had a higher turnover % than his assist % for his career because for all the great looking passes he was throwing, he was throwing just as many risky ones into the stands

Pete Maravich, way more often than not, was throwing the most outlandish, flashy passes. And also trying the most difficult dribble (even stuff that today would be allowed but not back then), through the most crowded places, because TO's don't "come" only from passes. If he had a different mentality, if he wasn't shooting so much, and, even, if he had better teammates at his best, he probably could've been a Nash-type of PG on offense, but better... Those are hypotheticals though, it is what it is, you can't change things but talking about passing-skills, Pistol was simply incredible, can't even be judged like you're doing. Dude had major skills, fundamentals to the max and creative af.

fundamentally perfect and really long-bounce pass with both hands, not many can do that, especially with that type of execution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpmXmczWXoI&t=22m35s

another great bounce-pass with the proper spin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVnJeKX5OeY&t=4m50s

just an unreal full-court underhanded pass :eek: and two similar just before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qv0YS1wHoQ&t=1m32s

the wrist-pass.. who can come up with shit like that and actually pull it off?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qv0YS1wHoQ&t=1m35s

Red Auerbach calling him the greatest passer in the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ruz5VkBt0Q

dudes like Magic or Isiah praising the hell out of him and citing major influence, then more quotes in the description, from dudes like Kobe, Kidd.. and his game's influence on players after him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWkiO2Iz08

teammates not able to react quickly and/or smartly enough to his passes, getting hit on the head and so on.. other TO's because of too much flashiness or over dumb shit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVnJeKX5OeY&t=3m12s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWkiO2Iz08&t=2m39s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq1oUk7sgRY&t=1m11s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut3R7SViJlY&t=17m6s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq1oUk7sgRY&t=3m38s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPqnpxhFWhw&t=22m2s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPqnpxhFWhw&t=24m57s

I've heard Lou Hudson say that Maravich threw a bowling pass like this one, to him..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWkiO2Iz08&t=7m5s
.. and that he didn't catch it because it was too unnecessary.

Seriously, just watch the whole content of some of the vids above, some even full-game highlights.. and you're gonna tell me that that dude ain't got all-time great passing-skills (not only)??? If yes, you must be blind.


For Walton, I won't talk about full career because of injuries, after his prime at such a young age, his career was just a bumpy ride til he won a ring and 6th man with the Celtics, and after that year he was done.
In his Portland years, the offense ran through him, he was the team's best passer, the team's main playmaker, even the best scorer, certainly the guy getting most attention.. we're talking about a center here, and the results? Well, the impact was unreal, when he got injured they were way worse, and look at what his teammates did with him on the team (or not), he greatly improved everyone's level. On the court dude had tremendous basketball IQ and lots of skill when it came to passing.
Watch some of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmxRIEyBiXo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhpG7-OHOeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vTGoG53bF4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emcsF4R7O4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAnC4cBXAuY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooVY7ylWkTc


Not too mention, they were playing the 70s, much more physicality going on, harder not to get TO's.

And to judge passing-skills the best way is to watch. Of course we can talk about impact too, obviously.. that also comes down to mentality on the court and basketball IQ.
If anything, you're underrating both.

[Smoke117]

This is actually Sabas best pass in the NBA...too bad Bonzi couldnt finish it though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZizsAdutYo'

[ProfessorMurder]

Come on.

Wilt/Walton/Sabonis/Divac

Diaw/KG/Duncan if they count as Cs.

Plus others.


This is actually Sabas best pass in the NBA...too bad Bonzi couldnt finish it though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZizsAdutYo'

He would do that kind of pass quite a bit if I remember right. I loved his surveying until he could sneak a pass through.

[jzek]

I'd rate him fourth behind Sabonis, Divac, and Oliver "Pig" Miller.

[LAZERUSS]

Name the centers who averaged over 6.0 apg in a season...

[LosBulls]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTpGYJj0CW8/UoaVvx6Kf6I/AAAAAAAAAHc/mkpbCSjWL8c/s1600/Arvydas+Sabonis+1.gif
Dat pose... should be the new NBA logo :oldlol:

[Psileas]

Pete Maravich, way more often than not, was throwing the most outlandish, flashy passes. And also trying the most difficult dribble (even stuff that today would be allowed but not back then), through the most crowded places, because TO's don't "come" only from passes. If he had a different mentality, if he wasn't shooting so much, and, even, if he had better teammates at his best, he probably could've been a Nash-type of PG on offense, but better... Those are hypotheticals though, it is what it is, you can't change things but talking about passing-skills, Pistol was simply incredible, can't even be judged like you're doing. Dude had major skills, fundamentals to the max and creative af.

fundamentally perfect and really long-bounce pass with both hands, not many can do that, especially with that type of execution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpmXmczWXoI&t=22m35s

another great bounce-pass with the proper spin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVnJeKX5OeY&t=4m50s

just an unreal full-court underhanded pass :eek: and two similar just before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qv0YS1wHoQ&t=1m32s

the wrist-pass.. who can come up with shit like that and actually pull it off?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qv0YS1wHoQ&t=1m35s

Red Auerbach calling him the greatest passer in the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ruz5VkBt0Q

dudes like Magic or Isiah praising the hell out of him and citing major influence, then more quotes in the description, from dudes like Kobe, Kidd.. and his game's influence on players after him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWkiO2Iz08

teammates not able to react quickly and/or smartly enough to his passes, getting hit on the head and so on.. other TO's because of too much flashiness or over dumb shit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVnJeKX5OeY&t=3m12s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWkiO2Iz08&t=2m39s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq1oUk7sgRY&t=1m11s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut3R7SViJlY&t=17m6s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq1oUk7sgRY&t=3m38s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPqnpxhFWhw&t=22m2s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPqnpxhFWhw&t=24m57s

I've heard Lou Hudson say that Maravich threw a bowling pass like this one, to him..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWkiO2Iz08&t=7m5s
.. and that he didn't catch it because it was too unnecessary.

Seriously, just watch the whole content of some of the vids above, some even full-game highlights.. and you're gonna tell me that that dude ain't got all-time great passing-skills (not only)??? If yes, you must be blind.


For Walton, I won't talk about full career because of injuries, after his prime at such a young age, his career was just a bumpy ride til he won a ring and 6th man with the Celtics, and after that year he was done.
In his Portland years, the offense ran through him, he was the team's best passer, the team's main playmaker, even the best scorer, certainly the guy getting most attention.. we're talking about a center here, and the results? Well, the impact was unreal, when he got injured they were way worse, and look at what his teammates did with him on the team (or not), he greatly improved everyone's level. On the court dude had tremendous basketball IQ and lots of skill when it came to passing.
Watch some of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmxRIEyBiXo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhpG7-OHOeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vTGoG53bF4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emcsF4R7O4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAnC4cBXAuY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooVY7ylWkTc


Not too mention, they were playing the 70s, much more physicality going on, harder not to get TO's.

And to judge passing-skills the best way is to watch. Of course we can talk about impact too, obviously.. that also comes down to mentality on the court and basketball IQ.
If anything, you're underrating both.

Damn, look at the play at 0:22 of the 2nd video. Is this a shoulder pass? :oldlol: