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Around the League => Around the NBA => Topic started by: CelticConcourse on January 30, 2013, 12:02:58 AM

Title: Best passing big men
Post by: CelticConcourse on January 30, 2013, 12:02:58 AM
Who are they? KG has been very good, averaging 4.0 over his career and 6.0 at one point.

But is the best assister the best passer, or is the converse true? Doesn't it all depend on who's on your team? LeBron gets tons of assists since he is the best player in basketball and when he draws double teams, his army of shooters Ike Allen, Bosh, Miller, Battier, Chalmers, Cole, Wade can score. Is that requiring much skill? Certainly still so, but how does that weigh into how LeBron ranks in the best passing big men in the game?

Some names come to mind: Gasol brothers, KG, LeBron

Sound off in the comments. I'm interested in what you guys have to say! Who is the best passing big man? Or your top 5 if you must.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: bfrombleacher on January 30, 2013, 12:11:37 AM
Players who I hear are good passers:

Al Horford, Josh Smith, Pau Gasol

Anthony Davis, Sully, Greg Monroe

Fab Melo (yes)

Jeff Green - smart passes. Good for his size.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Celtics18 on January 30, 2013, 12:14:16 AM
I think Noah's got to be on the list. 
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Evantime34 on January 30, 2013, 12:15:50 AM
I think Noah's got to be on the list.
Agreed, he's at the top of this list.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Big_Dave31 on January 30, 2013, 12:18:39 AM
Bogut is quite a good passer for a bug guy, else, I would say the Gasol brothers.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: KCattheStripe on January 30, 2013, 12:34:54 AM
Marc Gasol right now.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: CelticsFan9 on January 30, 2013, 12:45:02 AM
The Gasol brothers, Noah, KG, and Dirk are my top five in today's game.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: jdz101 on January 30, 2013, 12:45:57 AM
Pau Gasol makes some sweet passes.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Roy H. on January 30, 2013, 08:35:00 AM
Lebron is primarily a power forward these days, so the answer is clearly him.

Boris Diaw is a good passer.  As others have mentioned, the Gasols.  A guy who is a surprisingly good passer?  Blake Griffin.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Chris on January 30, 2013, 09:06:56 AM
Lebron is primarily a power forward these days, so the answer is clearly him.


This makes questions like this pretty hazy, because you are right that he plays PF these days, although offensively, he still plays more like a wing or PG.  And as the league seems to be shifting more towards perimeter big man, the line between big men and perimeter players is really blurred.

How has Kevin Love not been mentioned?  Or did I just miss it?
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: CelticsFan9 on January 30, 2013, 09:12:01 AM
Lebron is primarily a power forward these days, so the answer is clearly him.


This makes questions like this pretty hazy, because you are right that he plays PF these days, although offensively, he still plays more like a wing or PG.  And as the league seems to be shifting more towards perimeter big man, the line between big men and perimeter players is really blurred.

How has Kevin Love not been mentioned?  Or did I just miss it?

To me, a big man is 6'11" or taller.

And yes, I totally forgot Love.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: wdleehi on January 30, 2013, 09:12:51 AM
Tim Duncan was always effective.


Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Roy H. on January 30, 2013, 09:18:46 AM
To me, a big man is 6'11" or taller.

By that criteria, Dwight Howard isn't a big man, at least according to him combine measurements.  He's 6'9" without shoes, 6'10.25" in shoes.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: scaryjerry on January 30, 2013, 09:35:29 AM
Gasol brothers, Tim Duncan, joakim Noah
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Who on January 30, 2013, 09:49:53 AM
I think Noah's got to be on the list.
Agreed, he's at the top of this list.
Yeah, Noah is my favourite passing center with Pau Gasol playing PF this year.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Who on January 30, 2013, 09:54:09 AM
Greg Monroe
Greg Monroe is a freakishly good passer off the dribble.

Best drive and dish big man in the league.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Who on January 30, 2013, 10:00:44 AM
DeMarcus Cousins is very good and has the capacity to become one of the best in the league as he improves his decision making.

Varejao has turned himself into a very good passing big man over the years. Nick Collison is another strong passer. Marcus Camby is a very good to excellent high post passer.

Chuck Hayes is pretty good too. Chris Bosh is a good all-round but unexceptional passer. David West is good too. Although I wouldn't be any of them up with the best of the best but definitely above average and quality passers.

Has anyone mentioned David Lee? He is very good passing PF and an excellent one at the center position. And of course, Lamar Odom. He can't score anymore but he is still a very good passer. 

Carlos Boozer is a very good passer. Under-utilized in Chicago due to Joakim Noah's brilliance but Boozer was a joy to watch in Utah.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: dmopower on February 08, 2013, 07:18:38 AM
Who is correct. Cousins has excellent passing ability and court vision. As his game improves, coach improves and teamates he will probably lead all bigs not named James in assist.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Yoki_IsTheName on February 08, 2013, 07:22:59 AM
The Gasols
DMC
David Lee
Andrew Bogut
Joakim Noah
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: CelticG1 on February 08, 2013, 07:36:12 AM
I love how Lebron is somehow on this list.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Roy H. on February 08, 2013, 07:47:39 AM
I love how Lebron is somehow on this list.

Why wouldn't he be?  He primarily plays power forward now.
Title: Re: Best passing big men
Post by: Eddie20 on February 08, 2013, 08:07:41 AM
Kaman is a very underrated passer.