10 Best Passing Big Men in NBA History

[@BasketballFundamentals]

For this list we only included players who spend most of their minutes at PF and C positions and also who are 6'10'' or taller, so players like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Chris Webber, Wes Unseld, Boris Diaw etc. were not included. Other two parameters we used for this video are stats and creativity. I hope you guys enjoy the video! Let us know in the comments bellow who is your favorite big man passer.

[@bignig3435]

Chris Webber 6:10 bro

[@nolanrussell6326]

Sabonis should probably be higher, but unfortunately he joined the NBA so late in his career that his stats do really reflect that. Glad to see he at least made the list

[@markofilipovic6831]

yea he came to the NBA too late, one of the biggest what ifs in NBA history..

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Agreed, I couldnt put him higher since he has the worst NBA stats compared to all other players on the list. But when it comes to creativity he is def Top 3 all time!

[@alvinailey3rd926]

Nolan Russell should be like number 4

[@timhughes9855]

I saw him before the injuries. He was amazing! The Russian national team came to Vanderbilt, where I was an undergrad, in the early 80s. We had some good big men back then in Willie "Hutch" Jones, Ted Young, and especially Jeff Turner (Olympian, #1 pick, long NBA career, now Orlando's TV guy). And I saw some other talented guys in those days (Barkley, Sam Bowie before the injuries, etc.). But man, Sabonis was on another planet entirely. The Sabonis that Americans saw in Portland was probably 30-40 pounds heavier and far slower. Completely unlike, say, Jokic. Back then, Sabonis moved more like Deandre Ayton or a young David Robinson--strong, but still very quick and athletic. And he could really shoot, pass, and even dribble. He was somewhere in the Venn Diagram overlapped by Robinson, Jokic, and a young Bill Walton. SO good.

[@Jarekthegamingdragon]

Sabonis should definitely be much higher.

[@mare21ns]

I agree, kids dont know how good he was.

[@BasketballFundamentals]

The only reason we put Sabonis that low are his basic NBA stats, he ranks the lowest out of all of these players in that category. As far as creativity he is definitely top 3.

[@markofilipovic6831]

Tim Duncan should have made the honorable mentions list. Other than that good picks.

[@darefilipovic6246]

Agreed

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yes that is probably correct.

[@darefilipovic6246]

Best video so far! I agree with the list, but where the heck is Timmy D?

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Thank you! Yes Timmy should have made the honorable mention list at least now that I think about it.

[@mare21ns]

All of these guys are amazing passers.

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yes they are!

[@wmden1]

Stands to reason that Chamberlain, with a 50.4 point average, for a season, would be way up there in assists, after he decided to slack off on his scoring, to help the team. He could have still scored at will, if he wanted. Since everyone knew it, he drew the defense to himself. My choice for "the GOAT". So sue me.

[@BasketballFundamentals]

I cant believe people exclude Wilt from the GOAT conversation nowadays... What he did will never be done again in the NBA.

[@kallistai]

He is the goat, and the numbers aren't even close. One of my favorite pictures ever taken is Wilt and Andre the Giant carrying Arnold Schwarzenwhatever between them, during Conan II. The fact that Wilt is both bigger and more agile than Andre, and can carry a terminator like a baby. Few humans have ever had the physical gifts of Chamberlain. It must have been boring. FYI he also holds most records in volleyball.

[@crockerakahops90sjumpmantexas]

Wilt is the best score and rebounder ever.

[@dr9660]

Olajuwon should have made honorable mentions if Shaq does. Similar numbers, while Olajuwon routinely went 5-9+ assists in playoffs during peak years.

[@BasketballFundamentals]

True, we should have included the Dream on the list!

[@Pap94]

I agree with Jokic at #1, even over Walton and Chamberlain . But you passed over an often-overlooked big man that played for the Bulls in the late 60s and 70s by the name of Tom Boerwinkle. Bulls great Bob Love said Boerwinkle was responsible for half of Love’s points. Announcing great Don Criqui’s description of Boerwinkle’s passing- “A man with the body of a giant and the hands of a watchmaker”.

[@dusty975]

Tom Boerwinkle's passing was amazing ... it was a great treat to see him play. He's now largely forgotten, but as a giant passer, nobody was better. Too bad there's so little, if any, footage of Boerwinkle's remarkable passing. Awarding an assist has become so liberal now that you can't really compare eras just by assist numbers.

[@mrbattle2013]

Nice list . I have jokic, sabonis, pau gasol as top 3

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Those Euro bigs really know how to pass the ball :)

[@mihaelstepanovic8707]

Nikola jokić 💣💥🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸

[@markofilipovic6831]

He is my favorite player!

[@oliviercolletaz5841]

Jokic this season (his fourth) is averaging 7.7 apg. before that only wilt (once) averaged 7+ for a season as a center. And i wanna shout out Draymond too, because if you add power forwards to this discussion only KG reached 6 apg (once), well draymond is on course to average 7+ for the 4th straight season (!), having reached it for the first time in his 4th season just like the joker is doing right now. to me both will go down easily as the best passers at their positon in nba history when they're done.

[@zackm4132]

Glad that you put both Gasol brothers here 👍

[@anthonymontgomery3788]

Show how good gasol brothers were

[@markofilipovic6831]

Both of them are amazing passers, and very fundamentally sound. Great players!

[@BasketballFundamentals]

They might be the best post up players from Europe that ever played in the NBA. Maybe Sabonis, Jokic, Gobert or Divac can be in that conversation too. Not including Dirk since he plays inside/out.

[@steffanbrown4780]

Boris Diaw

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Diaw is one of my favorite players ever, but as we stated in the description of the video we only included players that are 6'10'' or taller. His passing clinic during the finals vs Heat was a thing of beauty.

[@ΑΝΤΩΝΗΣΤΑΥΛΑΡΙΔΗΣ]

The best passing center ever in my opinion is Vlade Divac! Find his stats! He had 7,8,9 even 10 assists for fun!

[@BasketballFundamentals]

So glad he got into the hall of fame! Great player and an even better person!

[@joseantonioserranomartinez8553]

Gasol brothers 🔥

[@seanpule266]

The NEW Sabonis will make this list soon.

[@regitreas993]

Definitely jokic the best big man passer in the nba history

[@ericstrat3579]

He probably will be - if his career is longer than 10-12 years.....

[@TheTemper-King]

Bruh give him some time. He’s doing great so far but he’s not even in his prime

[@tedcalouri2694]

He is Sabonis like but NOT Sabonis. I think at this point in his career you can call him the best passing big among active players but not threatening Sabonis yet. As far as the rest of the list, how can you even finish this video when the BEST PASSING BIG OF ALL TIME is ranked 9???? Clearly a list maker that didn't do much homework.

[@JerryFilipovic]

A passing big man is such a valuable weapon for any team. Jokic is by far the best of all time though

[@GamerFace167]

Jokic number 1 by far, he passes like Steve Nash at center...SIMPLE !! Sabonis could be higher though !

[@pedropedreiro8946]

music used pls?

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Its all non copyrighted music from the youtube audio library. Cant remember the exact beats we used in this video.

[@JerryFilipovic]

Bill Walton was such an amazing team player

[@Beticoo_]

Don't understand webber not being on the list. A 6'10 full time PF and sometimes center. Good vid tho

[@BasketballFundamentals]

www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/webbech01.html Yea he was one of the first guys i thought off but his bball ref page says hes 6'9

[@Beticoo_]

Oh i see. Chris webber is one of my fave players ever so i was hoping to see him. Awesome vid

[@mahgorstark7793]

This list is nuts😂😂😂 having any of the gasol brothers above sabonis is crazy having kg above valde is crazy having Kareem and bill Walton on here is crazy....but I see you just wanted to do a jokic video

[@ZacharyEntenman]

the video is hella old

[@jasonarment836]

Sabas number 1

[@BasketballFundamentals]

When I was making this video I was really surprised to see Sabonis's assist averages were so low. His best season is worse than every other players career average. That is why he is so low on the list. Creativity wise he is top 3 all time for sure!

[@exiledknight3961]

I just looked into it Wilt never led the league in assists. The year he averaged 8.6, Oscar Robertson averaged 9.7.

[@BasketballFundamentals]

He actually lead the league in total assists that year. Wilt played all 82 games, and Oscar only 65 so he had a higher average. www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1968_totals.html#totals_stats::ast

[@Verethragna10]

Wes Unseld is the best of all time

[@jansonmanalo612]

where is your home?

[@PrinceJayReal]

Ben Simmons is 6'10" and just put up 8.2apg in his rookie year... How is he not here?

[@mare21ns]

He is not a big man. PFs and Cs are bigs.

[@PrinceJayReal]

So he's excluded because he's so skilled in the realm of playmaking that he can play a perimeter position? Seems legit

[@wilchan8681]

@@PrinceJayReal well the person who make this vids want this only include PF and C .. maybe you can make like this but with all the position .. he can do whatever he want with his vid .. at the end ben was PG not PF or C ..

[@PrinceJayReal]

@@wilchan8681 But do you see my point of why that's silly? Ben could very easily just be a passing PF like he was in college, but his high level athleticism and ball handling ability lets him play PG at 6'10". He shouldn't be punished for his talents or gifts.

[@hussainalsharifa8846]

This isn’t about the height .... it is more or less the position as you can see most these guys played and passed from the post rather than permitter with few exception plays otherwise he definitely makes it maybe giannis also does

[@임대호-f5f]

Where is c-webb???

[@markofilipovic6831]

I think C-Webb is 6'9'' and video is only listing players 6'10'' and taller. But I agree CWebb was amazing!

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yes C Webb is an amazing passer, but had to put him off the list since he is listed at 6'9''.

[@ogunduman836]

No C-Webb (6'10") ?? Is this a joke?

[@yopierre587]

Hes LISTED at 6'9 apperently

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yup bball reference listed him at 6'9'' and we only put players that are 6'10'' or taller on this list. C-Webb was an amazing passer, and him and Vlade might be the best passing duo as far as big men.

[@josephlittlebear4153]

Kobe played with 2 of the best passing big men ever. That's crazy dope.lol

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yup Mamba had some help too :)

[@Stylezfreee]

No chris webber?

[@BasketballFundamentals]

One of the parameters we used in this video is players 6'10 or taller. C-Webb is listed at 6'9, and that is why we didnt include him as well as some other guys like Wes Unseld, Boris Diaw, Magic, Alvan Adams, Bird etc.

[@ohyeamoe8430]

Jokic passes the ball better then some point guards !!!

[@Bluebirdfalling]

some?

[@Jamesizworld]

JOAKIM NOAH HONORABLE MENTION!??!

[@TheIcemanthomas]

hes not a better passer than anyone on this list

[@BasketballFundamentals]

It was between him and Odom for that 10th spot, but Odom got the nod because he was a flashier passer. Noah in his prime was an elite passer though!

[@yhwhfearingguy646]

giannis #2

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Even though Giannis is very tall, I dont consider him as a 'big man' because he plays on the perimeter more than he does inside. But he can definitely pass the ball, no doubt about that.

[@Harvey256]

Duncan, Draymond, Cousins 😢

[@TheIcemanthomas]

missing timmy and KG

[@BasketballFundamentals]

KG is on the list, but I do agree that Timmy should have been there... honorable mention at least.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

@@BasketballFundamentals oh damn. I must've missed kg.

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yup he is at #4 :)

[@SOSteele1987]

Demarcus Cousins? Kevin Love?

[@zackm4132]

Top 15

[@angelcervantes6316]

Duncan should be top 3

[@rayenewell]

Wilt should be number 1 because he actually lead the league in assist no other big man has done that

[@TheIcemanthomas]

leading in assist doesnt mean he was a better passer. This is about the skill not the numbers.

[@rayenewell]

CPGoat #3 I’m saying no other center has ever done that and probably never will cmon now

[@exiledknight3961]

@@rayenewell Thats because the point gaurds in that era were way weaker. Today is considered the golden era of point gaurds.

[@carsonluke9573]

Jokic career average has went up to 6.8 since this video and his best season is 9.8 at the moment of this comment, there is zero debate or question that he isn’t 1st man😭

[@roybenedictbuhay2534]

Wew Camby is missing

[@BasketballFundamentals]

He was actually the last guy we had to cut as an honorable mention... Great passer in his prime!

[@elmaislave419]

Kevin Love...

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Love is a great passer but his stats are not as good as the guys on the list...

[@Bluebirdfalling]

KG......jeez us

[@davethebarber62920]

Wes Unseld.

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yea Unseld is one of the best passing centers ever, but for this video we only considered players who were 6'10'' or taller so Unseld, Webber, Boris Diaw etc. didnt make the cut.

[@ericstrat3579]

That Wilt Chamberlain is *not* included in the GOAT conversation as much as LeBron, Magic, Kareem & a couple others is ridiculous. He’s GOAT #2 after Jordan, IMO......

[@exiledknight3961]

I think its due to 2 reasons. 1. He didnt win as much rings. 2. The era he played in was much weaker compared to others.

[@ericstrat3579]

Milos Kovac Well - the Celtics were a perennial championship teams throughout the late 50’s and 60’s. Wilts teams were usually not as talented nor as cohesive as a unit. As far as individually talented players go - don’t forget there was Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Elgin, Oscar, Jerry, Walt, Nate, Willis, Havlicek, and plenty of other all time greats that played during his era. He played against Kareem several times in the three year career overlap - Kareem has better points, but Wilt had better rebounds, blocks, assists and field goal % averages in their matchups.

[@exiledknight3961]

@@ericstrat3579 right but when compared the other decades after the 60s were weaker. In his time there wasnt much challenge at the center position. Russell and Pettit were really the only competition he had. Look how much more competition there was in 90s or even td at Center.

[@ericstrat3579]

Milos Kovac we live in a relatively weak center era, now. The 80’s and 90’s were very good, I agree. But the 80’s was dominated by Bird & Magic and Jordan was in his physical prime - but not ready to win in a team concept yet. The 70’s were basically Kareem, Walton, & Moses - Wilt won another ring in ‘72 but was not the player he was from 1959 to 1968. The 60’s had Wilt, Russell, Walt Bellamy, Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed and a couple others - Pettit was really a PF who played center occasionally and Bill Russell thinks he’s an all time great player.

[@exiledknight3961]

@@ericstrat3579 Bellamy, Thurmond and Reed were good but were more second tier centers then first tier. They deff benefited from an era of inflated stats. I dont agree with concept of a weak era of big men today. Jokic, Kat, Embiid, Davis, Gobert, Drummond , Capela , Nurkic, Turner and more are either all stars or capable of being all stars when healthy.

[@nopasta9528]

Dirk

[@tedcalouri2694]

9!?!?! You have the Best passing big of all time at 9?!?!? I had to stop watching the video.

[@Bluebirdfalling]

thats totally lame.

[@Bluebirdfalling]

I figured #2 at worst

[@Bluebirdfalling]

and this has only one like? from me just now? wow, you guys are slacking.

[@andreacultreri6727]

Interesting how most of the passers are European, in the USA they non teach fundamentals to their big mans

[@dajoelman2]

Straight up foolish to put Jokic number 1. Sabonis at 9? No Tim freaking Duncan who dished out assists for 19 years? C’mon man smh

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Yes that is a mistake we made with this video, not putting Timmy at least in the honorable mentions.

[@Jarekthegamingdragon]

Jokic at 1? What an absolutely trash list.

[@nikolaspasic9309]

You dont watch nba man

[@Jake-gw9cj]

this aged like spoiled milk

[@robirobi7300]

Joke, Sabonis is number 1!