Passing in the NBA is an art form, but sometimes that art looks more like an abstract mess than a masterpiece. Some players have a knack for squeezing the ball through impossible angles, threading the needle with a confidence that leaves coaches either clapping or cringing. While these risky passes can make for some of the most exciting highlights, they also come with the occasional facepalm moment.
From flashy point guards to towering big men who fancy themselves as playmakers, the NBA has seen its fair share of players who couldn’t resist a risky dish. Here’s a look at the 15 most overconfident NBA passers to ever hit the hardwood.
15. Rajon Rondo
Rondo’s court vision is a gift, but sometimes he tries to pull off passes that even the camera crew can’t keep up with. Yet, his gambling instincts can result in as many head-scratchers as jaw-droppers.
14. Jason Williams
“White Chocolate” made a career out of jaw-dropping passes, but not all found their mark. He loved to put a little extra flair on even the simplest plays, for better or worse.
13. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook’s passes are just as explosive as his drives to the basket, but his all-gas-no-brakes style often results in turnovers that leave his coaches grimacing. His confidence in his vision is unmatched, for better or worse.
12. LeBron James
LeBron has a point guard’s brain in a power forward’s body, and while his dimes are often brilliant, he sometimes overestimates his teammates’ hands. He’s had his share of flashy misfires over the years.
11. Chris Paul
The “Point God” has mastered the art of the assist, but even he can get a little too ambitious. His desire to make the perfect pass sometimes leads to turnovers that have his teammates shaking their heads.
10. Magic Johnson
Magic reinvented the assist, but his flair for the dramatic occasionally got the best of him. Even the best floor general in history had a few passes that left fans scratching their heads.
9. James Harden
Harden masters creating screate finding thfindman, but his casual style can sometimes backfire. He’s had more than a few lazy passes picked off like a free buffet at a hungry cornerback convention.
8. Manu Ginóbili
Manu’s no-look passes are the stuff of legend, but sometimes his creativity gets the best of him. There’s a head-scratching turnover for every brilliant dime to balance it out.
7. Jamal Crawford
Crawford loves to put a little spice on his assists, but that spice can sometimes turn into a full-blown kitchen fire. His high-risk, high-reward passing style isn’t for the faint of heart.
6. Pete Maravich
“Pistol Pete” made passing an art form, but sometimes his confidence in his flair got him into trouble. He wasn’t afraid to go for the ridiculous, even when the safe play was there.
5. Nikola Jokić
Jokić has the vision of a point guard in a center’s body, which can be both a blessing and a curse. His no-look passes are breathtaking when they work and cringeworthy when they don’t.
4. Trae Young
Young’s flashy passes are a staple of his game, but his love for the dramatic can lead to frustrating turnovers. He’s never met a risky pass he didn’t like.
3. Steve Nash
Nash’s creativity made him one of the best passers ever, but it also got him in trouble. His passes often required his teammates to have hands like Spider-Man to reel them in.
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2. Stephen Curry
Curry’s handle is as flashy as his jumper, and his passes can be just as risky. Moreover, his confidence sometimes leads to head-scratching giveaways that don’t always land.
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1. Jason Kidd
Kidd had a remarkable career as a passer, but his willingness to thread the needle often led to turnovers with fans and coaches shouting, “What was that?!”
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