How does Stephen Curry's height and low center of gravity make him one of the best ball handlers of all time?

Stephen Curry is almost unanimously considered to be the greatest shooter in NBA history.

He has a record 3,155 threes and counting. Curry’s shooting has changed the way the game is played, as teams now prioritize spacing and shooting above everything else. However, Curry isn’t just an elite shooter; he’s also considered by many to be one of the greatest ball handlers of all time.

Stephen Curry isn't the biggest or most athletic player, but he’s able to weave through defenses using his tight handles, which he works on constantly. He often uses his quickness and ambidexterity to get past the league’s premier perimeter defenders. Moreover, he has great footwork and balance, which allows him to quickly step back and hit threes off the dribble.

One of Curry’s greatest ball-handling skills is his ability to make use of hesitation moves. He often looks up as if he's about to shoot and brings his hands to a gathering motion before blowing past his marker.

The fact that he’s the GOAT shooter obviously forces defenders to close out on any potential jumper from Curry, but his craftiness goes a long way as well. Curry often uses plays like these as an opportunity to get into the paint and either finish inside or find an open teammate on the perimeter.

Curry also makes great use of behind-the-back moves and crossovers, which also help him get past defenders. That often leads to some of the best highlight plays of his career.

Overall, given his body frame, Curry has basically maximized his potential. It’s difficult to imagine a 6-foot-2 guard surpassing Curry in terms of all-around offensive impact.

His relatability is also a big reason why he now serves as one of the faces of the NBA. It’s also what has helped Curry become probably the biggest influence of the next generation.

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Where does Stephen Curry rank among the greatest ball handlers of all time?

Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving and Golden State Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry

When most fans think of all-time great NBA ball handlers, a few names usually come to mind. These are some of the flashiest guards like Kyrie Irving and Allen Iverson that look like they have the ball on a string. However, Stephen Curry still stacks up against them when it comes to top-ten lists.

For example, Curry was ranked fourth in our top ten ball handlers of all-time list last year. Curry trailed only Irving, Iverson and Isiah Thomas. Some rankings have other flashy guards such as Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford or Derrick Rose above Curry. However, there seems to be a consensus that Curry is in the top-five range.

One thing that separates Stephen Curry from many of the GOAT ball handlers, though, is that he doesn’t over-rely on his handles. Curry rarely over-dribbles. Instead, he’s calculated and concise and makes every dribble count. He uses his dribbles wisely to get to his spots as quickly as possible, which has made him unstoppable. It’s also a big reason why he’s now a four-time NBA champion.