RealGM

One of the most valuable traits a big man can have is the ability to catch the ball high and go straight up. Many bigs have a tendency to have to bring the ball down before going back up, which dramatically increases the chance of being blocked or deterred.

Red Auerbach refered to it as playing "hands up." Some big men who are notable for this ability include George Mikan, Kevin McHale, Brad Daugherty, Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic.

Out of those players, I'd say McHale was the best ever at playing "above the head." He displayed it several times a game. Jokic would be second in my mind. I've always got the impression his water polo background played a factor. Water polo requires you to keep the ball high while you tread water. This GIF illustrates how good McHale was at playing "hands up":



It may look like a simple move but you'd be surprised at how few big men can execute that play so effortlessly.

It's largely a lost art.

Pau Gasol

Karate Diop wrote:It's largely a lost art.

Jokic shows that it's still a valuable skill. However, I can understand why many no longer teach it due to all of the spacing which allows players to catch the ball, plant their feet and then go up. In many cases a direct lob is a more viable option. The paint just isn't as clogged as it used to be.

Joker and Duncan immediately come to mind.

Big Z Zydrunas Ilgauskas is my vote though. If he ever brought the ball below waist level, I must have missed it.

Pau is great at this

Dirk 2011, release point above and behind his head while leaning back. Unstoppable.