RealGM

Continuation of the GOAT skills series. Next up is overall passing.

Who would you say is the GOAT passer? Consider passing vision, ball control, creativity, accuracy, IQ.

I have 4 main contenders:

Magic Johnson. Larry Bird. Nikola Jokic.

This may make people mad: Jason Kidd.

Jokic for me. I like the four contenders above.

Magic for sure. Jokic can’t handle like magic

My top 3 are Magic, Nash and Jokic. Out of them, Magic would be my choice overall.

HM to Oscar, Bird, James, Paul and Doncic

Homer mention: Boris Diaw

I see Nash, Magic, Jokic, and Stockton as the contenders here. I think I'd lean towards Nash, but they are all pretty close. My tier two would be Bird, CP3, Kidd, Rondo, D-Will, Cousy, Oscar, and Lebron

Magic
Jokic Nash
Kidd Luka
LBJ Bird

Stockton certainly belongs there for ability to find the open man and run the PRN and halfcourt offense. There are a few guys (Magic, Nash) better at creating in the open floor or on a broken play but the only real contender for running a half court game in Chris Paul. Those are my four, with Jokic as the big man passer (Bird 2nd).

Paul
Stockton
Nash
Magic


There are a few guys who use the ability to score to draw attention and create extra value from that . . . Oscar, Doncic, Bird, LeBron, Jokic would go here too, but don't really see them as having quite the pure passing of the top 4. Without the scoring threat, I see them as more the Jason Kidd caliber playmaker, a clear step down from the top group.

On the break - Magic
Off ball - Bird
From the hub - Jokic

HM Stockton in the half court.

Pure passing skill in the open court, I'm going Muggsy Bogues. He didn't have the size to get his shot or create that well in a drive and dish but give him room and he was pure aggression and accuracy.

I think he's still the NBA's all time leader in assist/turnover ratio with 4 of the top 5 seasons among those qualifying for the assist title.

I'd go with Magic.

Elite technical precision and vision where other guys might fall short of GOAT tier in one or the other. Not certain I could exclude Nash though.

Magic Nash Jokic are the three I would go with, and would probably lean Magic.
While it's very early, I think Haliburton is playing his way into this conversation.

Maravich was ahead of his time with his passing. I know he hets a lot of hate, but he was among the most creative I’ve ever seen.

I would also pick Magic.

I think Nash and Jokic are up there as well.

Gun to head Jokic, Magic and Bird

They have the best arsenal (height as well as the outlet), can do all the passes, hard ones, ridiculous ones, transition or half court doesn’t matter.

I picked Bird over Magic as his connective/one touch passes are absurd.

Can’t go wrong with these 3

HM: Bob Cousy (he’s the original with flair gotta give credit where credits due). He has the best looking no look bounce back flicks and actually it shouldn’t be White Chocolate that gets credit for the elbow flick that goes to Bob.

If we separate the art of passing from playmaking, the way we do with shooting and scoring, to me Jokic stands alone. His processing speed and touch are second to none.

I've also never seen a player manipulate the defense with his eyes and body language like Jokic. He routinely has defenders jumping up and down and spinning around while he's standing still.

I agree with 70sfan: Magic, Nash, and Jokic. Everybody else is a tier below. Of those, I'd probably prefer Magic.

I'm not sold on Jokic as a point-C because I don't buy him as a viable ball-handler. The dribbling rules are so lax now that players can do whatever they want with the ball. Jokic may be the best half-court passer ever but Magic is either his equal or marginally worse while Jokic has nothing on Magic in the open court on a fastbreak.