Cavs New Player Funny Ankle Breaker Kyrie Breaks Curry

We're in a premier era for guards, players who grew up watching Allen Iverson, Tim Hardaway and others showcase unbelievable ballhandling abilities. So who's the best? Here's our list:

10. PG Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

The Connecticut national champion's famous buzzer-beater beat Pittsburgh in the 2011 Big East Conference tournament was set up by a nasty step-back dribble move, his bread and butter. Now in his third NBA season, Walker still leaves opponents in a heap, able to get his shot over by creating space with his handle.

9. PG Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets

No longer in his prime, the former All-Star point guard still shows his trademark calm on the ball, dissecting opponents with subtle head-fakes and textbook crossovers. He never looks like he's in a hurry, which makes it all the more surprising for defenders when he drops the hammer.

8. PG Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

Lawson is a 5-11 , the engine for the Nuggets' up-tempo style. But the key to his slippery handle is how he is able to accelerate, decelerate and shift his body on a dime. Defenders always have to respect Lawson's speed, yet they still can't stay in front of him.

7. SF Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant has improved his handles drastically over the years, and what earns him his spot here is how he is willing and able to break any defender's ankles. Here's a quick, oversized elastic man dribbling circles around opponets. Durant loves drifting with the ball at the top of the key, almost lulling his defender to sleep before he hits them with a lightning-quick crossover or two.

6. PG Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry is at his best when he attacks his man with a behind-the-back move and then suddenly yanks the ball with a step-back crossover, giving him space for his deadly three-point stroke.

5. SG Lance Stephenson, Charlotte Hornets

Stephenson uses his handle with a mixture of strength and finesse to barrel into the paint, that same style that has been used for decades by New York guards who have come through the league and streets.

4. PG John Wall, Washington Wizards

Wall has risen up the point guard ranks because of his dangerous transition game. He is so hard to contain on the move that he's often situated near the tip-off circle in a halfcourt set to create space between him and whoever's guarding him. At full speed, all Wall has to do is change direction with a crossover and finish at the rim or find an open teammate as his defender falls.

3. PG Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

You've probably heard it before: Paul dribbles like he has a string on the basketball. He's also one of the few players in the league who is capable of maintaining his dribble in almost any situation. Paul makes defenders look silly with series of subtle bounces and feints, like an expert jazz drummer setting up the big finish of a well-timed burst.

2. SG Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers

At 34, Crawford is the oldest on this list. And his Twitter handle is @JCrossover for a reason. Crawford is capable of shaking down any defender with a simple crossover, but when he pulls out moves like his behind-the-back hop-step showstopper on a fastbreak, he's unguardable.

1. PG Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

"Uncle Drew" is the league's current crossover king. Irving can destroy defenders in succession with ease using fantastic technique and virtuosic improvisation to string together behind-the-back dribbles, "Shammgods" and killer crossovers. The only question is, will he have the ball in his hands enough to showcase his skill with LeBron James in town?

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Source: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/nba-ankle-breakers-ballhandlers-dribblers-jamal-crawford-kyrie-irving

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