15 Most Skilled Big Men in NBA History

Big men are typically known for their strength, size, and power, but some have also demonstrated an impressive level of skill. These players didn’t just dominate the paint; they passed, dribbled, and even shot like guards. Their footwork, basketball IQ, and finesse made them special.

Tricia Quitales
June 12, 2025
6 min read

This countdown features the 15 most skilled big men in NBA history, ranked by their unique abilities and contributions. It highlights players who could handle the ball, shoot from distance, and pass like playmakers. Each entry explains what made these giants not just powerful, but also technically brilliant. From legends of the past to modern stars, the article honors the ones who blended size with skill. They redefined what big men could do and left a lasting mark on the game.

15. Bob Lanier

Bob Lanier was a big man with a soft shooting touch and smooth post moves. He had great hands and was excellent at passing out of the double team. Lanier averaged over 20 points per game for most of his career. Despite knee problems, his footwork and finesse made him hard to stop. He was a skilled scorer who brought more than just size to the floor.

14. Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol played with elegance, combining length with high basketball IQ. He had a smooth mid-range jumper, great touch around the rim, and sharp passing vision. Gasol was vital in the Lakers’ back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. He often played like a second point guard from the post. His skills made him a perfect fit in both international and NBA basketball.

13. Kevin Love

Kevin Love had one of the best outlet passes the game has seen and a deadly three-point shot for a big man. He was a rebounding machine and could stretch the floor with ease. Love’s ability to shoot, pass, and rebound gave him a complete offensive package. He wasn’t the most athletic, but his timing and feel for the game stood out. His unique combination of skills brought balance to every team he played for.

12. Al Horford

Al Horford has been a steady, smart, and skilled big man throughout his long career. He can hit jumpers, find teammates with great passes, and defend multiple positions. Horford’s ability to read the game and make the right play has always been his strength. His footwork and decision-making make him valuable even in the modern fast-paced game. He rarely makes mistakes and always plays with purpose.

11. Arvydas Sabonis

Arvydas Sabonis possessed incredible passing skills and basketball intelligence, despite injuries limiting his NBA career. In his prime overseas, he was unstoppable with both hands and could shoot from outside. Even in the NBA, older and slower, he showed flashes of genius. His vision and creativity made him more than just a center. Teammates trusted him to make plays that few other big men could.

10. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis combines elite shot-blocking with smooth offensive skills. He has a strong handle for his size and can score from the post or the perimeter. Davis often plays like a guard in a center’s body, using finesse over brute strength. His ability to guard all five positions and hit mid-range shots makes him a matchup nightmare. His skill set has been crucial to both his individual success and team accomplishments.

9. Chris Webber

Chris Webber had incredible hands and court vision, making him one of the best passing big men in history. He had a soft jumper and smooth post game that kept defenders guessing. Webber’s basketball mind and footwork made him effective in any system. He could start the fast break, find cutters, or hit the open shot. His well-rounded game helped lead the Sacramento Kings to their most successful era.

8. Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić is perhaps the best passing big man the league has ever seen. He runs the offense like a guard while being nearly seven feet tall. Jokić can score from anywhere and controls the game with patience and vision. His footwork and touch around the basket are unmatched in today’s game. He plays with joy and creativity, making everyone around him better.

7. Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale had some of the best low-post moves the game has ever seen. His footwork was almost impossible to defend, and he scored efficiently with both hands. McHale used head fakes, spin moves, and fadeaways to keep defenders off balance. He played smart and always found a way to get the shot he wanted. His skills down low were key to the Celtics’ success in the 1980s.

6. Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the most skilled shooting big men of all time. He can shoot from deep, handle the ball, and pass out of double teams. Towns is comfortable inside or outside and can score in many different ways. His shooting percentage and range are rare for a player his size. When focused, his talent makes him a nearly unstoppable offensive weapon.

5. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon had footwork so precise that it looked like ballet in sneakers. His “Dream Shake” remains one of the most famous post moves ever. He could block shots, pass out of the post, and hit jumpers with ease. Hakeem’s skills made him a two-time champion and one of the best two-way players in history. He demonstrated that great men could combine beauty and power simultaneously.

4. Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki changed how big men played with his high-arcing jump shot and perimeter scoring. He wasn’t known for speed or strength, but his skills made him unstoppable. Dirk won MVP and an NBA championship with a fadeaway jumper that no one could block. He brought the finesse of European basketball to the NBA at a new level. His shooting ability created space and changed how offenses worked.

3. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan played with calm, control, and perfect fundamentals. He didn’t rely on flash but used sound footwork, smart decisions, and a soft shooting touch. Duncan passed well from the post and made the right play almost every time. He led the Spurs to five championships with skill and consistency. His quiet dominance came from understanding the game deeply and mastering every little detail.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook was the most unstoppable shot in basketball history. He scored more points than anyone else in NBA history, thanks to his polished skills. Kareem could shoot, pass, and rebound while playing with perfect timing and touch. His game was graceful and efficient, not built on brute force. His skills stayed strong through two decades of dominance.

1. Bill Walton

Bill Walton at his best was the perfect example of skill in a big man. He passed like a point guard, scored with touch, and defended with smart positioning. Injuries cut his career short, but his peak was brilliant. Walton made his teammates better and saw the floor with rare vision. When healthy, he was a masterclass in how skill could live in a big body.