NBA Smoothest Players: It’s time to explore the smooth and polished side of the NBA as we identify those unique players who glide over the floor with such ease that it seems like a piece of cake. It’s an art form, a finesse game, not simply about three-pointers and slam dunks. The legendary Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are two of the best “smooth” players ever; their manoeuvres were breathtaking to see.
Based on an analysis of current NBA players, ten players best described as “smooth” stand out. While there are now certain stars in the league who are unmatched in many ways, like LeBron James, they are not very fluid in their movements as the players on this list are genuinely in their own lanes.
The NBA Top 8 Smoothest Players Right Now
Check out the NBA top smoothest players below:
1. Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum, the top forward for the Boston Celtics, has everything that makes a great player: size, talent, and athleticism all come together in his fluid style of play. With the help of Kobe Bryant’s coaching and his improved offensive toolkit, Tatum has developed into one of the world’s top scorers in his prime.
Tatum’s ability to sink contested shots with ease is a signature move in his game. His shooting stroke, which is evocative of Kobe Bryant’s accuracy, demonstrates a degree of dexterity that makes him a trustworthy scorer in a variety of scenarios. Tatum continues to lead the league in scoring flexibility at the moment, whether he is pulling up for mid-range jumpers or making baskets beyond the arc.
Beyond his jump shot, Tatum has refined his three-point shooting, which has added another facet to his offensive arsenal. Throughout his career, he has hit 37.4% from three. Tatum’s mix of stature (6’8″) and agility is evident in his ability to finish near the rim.
A fascinating feature of Tatum’s play is his dedication to studying and adopting strategies from basketball greats such as Kobe Bryant. For the league-leading Boston Celtics, Tatum is the most polished player in the game right now. He is a superstar in his prime and is undoubtedly among the best five in the league.
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2. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry, a revolutionary force in the NBA recognised for his unparalleled ball-handling abilities and otherworldly shooting ability, is a four-time NBA champion for the Golden State Warriors. He’s become one of the most entertaining and fluid players to watch because of his special blend of attacking inventiveness, precise shooting, and humble leadership.
Curry is the greatest shooter we have ever seen, which is at the core of his fluid playing style. In addition to revolutionising the Warriors’ offensive approach, his ability to make baskets deep beyond the three-point arc has had a significant impact on contemporary basketball. Curry, who holds the record for the most three-pointers made in NBA history (3,545 at 3 PM), is dangerous as soon as he crosses half-court.
Another important component that makes Curry more fluid on the floor is his ability to handle the ball. His hesitation movements, behind-the-back dribbles, and crossovers are all performed with such grace that they throw opponents off-balance. Although Allen Iverson and Kyrie Irving are thought to be the greatest ball handlers of all time, Stephen Curry deserves greater recognition for his incredible abilities.
3. Kevin Durant
On the basketball court, Kevin Durant, a 13-time NBA All-Star and potential first-ballot Hall of Famer, personifies the perfect blend of scoring ability, adaptability, and effortless style. He is one of the most elegant and influential players in the league thanks to his special combination of size, talent, and basketball IQ.
Durant’s scoring talent is nothing short of extraordinary, as seen by his four scoring titles. He can score from almost anywhere on the court and has a flawless jump shot. With his almost unguardable shooting skills and 6’11” height, Durant can consistently soar above opponents and finish jumpers with a high release point.
Because of his natural jump shot, Durant has averaged over 27 points per game during his career, although his lifetime shooting percentages are 50% from the field, 38.7% from three, and 88.5% from the free throw line. Because of how fluid his shooting is, the ball frequently glides in without hitting the rim. As one of the five greatest scorers of all time, Durant is unstoppable and unassailable against any defence in a one-on-one matchup because of his extra size.
4. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has always been known for his captivating handling, deft scoring, and unique brand of basketball creativity. Throughout his career, he has averaged 23.4 points per game, making him one of the most entertaining players in the NBA. His fluid playing style is a special combination of inventiveness, talent, and a deep grasp of the game.
Irving is the greatest ball handler of all time because of how precisely he executes his crossovers, rotations, and hesitation techniques, which can leave opponents stunned and spectators amazed. His scoring variety is a credit to his refined offensive skill set, whether he is finishing acrobatically near the basket, pulling up for a mid-range jumper or hitting shots from beyond the arc.
He is a unique star because of his ability to finish in a number of ways and easily go past defences. Irving can shoot over and back down smaller guards, which makes his post-up game efficient. He is also physically powerful near the basket for a guard. Irving is one of the best NBA smoothest players ever, even if he was left off of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
5. Paul George
The Los Angeles Clippers’ versatile forward Paul George is praised for his fluid style of play that combines talent, athleticism, and defensive ability. With an offensive arsenal that includes a silky smooth jump jumper that averages 40.8% from three and 92.4% from the free-throw line, George is a reliable threat to score points from a variety of locations on the field.
Another aspect of George’s fluid style of play is his ability to handle the ball in addition to his ability to score. His deft ball-handling skills enable him to generate opportunities for himself and his teammates, whether he’s breaking past defences in solitary situations or starting moves. With this skill set, he becomes a more unpredictable player and becomes a potent attacking weapon.
George’s versatility on defence is demonstrated by his ability to cover several positions with ease. With four choices to the All-Defensive Team, his lateral agility and acute awareness of defensive rotations make him a seamless operator on defence as well. George is among the NBA smoothest players on our list, even if he isn’t the best.
6. Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard, who is frequently regarded as one of the NBA’s most polished players, plays with a style that skillfully blends strength, delicacy, and accuracy. His exceptional mid-range ability is a notable quality that brings to mind the time when players like Michael Jordan excelled in that domain. Leonard’s ability to play at his own speed, akin to the great Michael Jordan, is what makes him stand out.
Whether it’s during a half-court set or a fast break, he has an amazing ability to manage the game’s speed. Kawhi has complete control over the pace of a game and his performance. He also never rushes. Leonard has remarkable ball control, which is greatly aided by his enormous hands. It’s amazing to see him pluck the ball off the rim or handle it in the half-court.
Leonard, a player who is renowned for his shot selection, hardly ever takes terrible shots. His ability to assess defences and his methodical approach to scoring lead to high-percentage shots for both himself and his teammates. Leonard is a skilled mid-range shooter who can also make clutch three-pointers. His athletic build also enables him to score well within the paint. Leonard is undoubtedly among the smoothest players of all time, whether he scores from inside or outside the area or defends with a great basketball IQ.
7. Devin Booker
Devin Booker is one of the most exciting athletes to watch; in his second season, he scored 70 points in a single game. Booker is a slick operator on the court because of his refined style of play, which goes beyond his excellent scoring totals. He has an impressive shooting arsenal that combines mid-range shots, three-pointers, and daring finishes near the basket. His career scoring average is 24.1 points per game.
He is a consistent scoring threat who keeps opponents on their toes and fans on the edge of their seats because of his fluid shooting stroke and ability to generate his own shot. One of Booker’s most distinctive (and underappreciated) qualities is his superb ball handling. He can easily get past defences thanks to the accuracy with which he executes his delay and crossover moves.
Although it is always incorrect and stupid to compare a player to Kobe Bryant in the same sentence, Booker has many traits with the Lakers icon in terms of how he attacks off the dribble, handles double teams with ease, and hits difficult shots. With an average of 26.4 points and 7.9 assists per game thus far in the regular season, Booker is enjoying a great year. Hopefully, he can continue this success into the Suns’ projected playoff run.
8. Joel Embiid
The dominant centre for the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid, embodies a captivating combination of strength and skill that characterises his easygoing style of play in the NBA. Although his numbers, which show that he has averaged 30 points per game for the last three seasons, clearly demonstrate his supremacy, it is the subtlety of his power play that really makes him stand out.
Embiid has excellent post-footwork, which is one factor in his fluidity. The 7-footer is a matchup nightmare for opponents in the paint because of his range of moves, which skillfully blend force and elegance. His skilful usage of the pivot, drop steps, and spin movements produce seemingly effortless scoring opportunities, exhibiting a dexterity uncommon among players of his height and power.
Embiid’s skill is not limited to the post; for a big man, he has an exceptionally delicate shooting touch. The centre has to be the league’s top mid-range scorer right now. Despite scoring a career-high 34.6 points per game, he is averaging over 53% from the field this season and has an explosive one-dribble pull-up. Embiid is the league’s leading scorer regardless of position, and for the past several years, his offence has been nothing short of spectacular.
These are the NBA Top 8 Smoothest Players Right Now. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
