Dribbling is one of the most aesthetically pleasing skills on the basketball court. The manner of maneuvering the basketball and leaving defenders dumbfounded is an art more than a skill. Today, Kyrie Irving, one of the crafty ball handlers, stands as, possibly, the last ball-handling wizard in the NBA. But there was an era where the NBA had a little street, which meant excessively cunning handles. In those times, nobody could touch Allen Iverson.

Iverson was a walking revolution. From his rants about practice to crossing up with his very idol Michael Jordan, the Hall of Famer was eccentric. He was ahead of his time with his fashion and demeanor. But no matter what happened outside, when he stepped on the court, there was one thing that made the opposition tremble – his iconic crossover. Iverson had the gift of a silky and quick change of direction. With his majestic handle, he was unique. But is there someone with a better handle? And is it possible he wasn’t in the NBA?

When on Bad Speakers TV, streetball icon and AND1 legend Philip ‘Hot Sauce’ Champion addressed the comparisons between himself and Iverson. The hosts reignited the vintage debate. Who has the better handle?

“Honestly, I had the better handle. I would say he had the better crossover. But I had a crossover too. I’m quite sure if you pin him on our level, he was restricted you get what I am saying. But yeah his crossover was everything you know what I mean? It went viral with the crossover. A lot of guys had a crossover but it wasn’t like his,” Champion said on Bad Speakers TV. 

Hot Sauce was amongst the most renowned AND1 ballers during the brand’s peak. He was the headline of every mixtape. Champion had nasty handles and was equipped with the sole objective of embarrassing the defenders before getting his willing bucket. It was the embodiment of the ruthless nature of street basketball. But even with all those moves in his arsenal, he not only placed Iverson above himself but even suggested that the NBA limited Iverson as far as his wizardry with the ball went.

It’s hard to dispute. Iverson did have one of the nastiest crossovers with the flair and vigor, comparable to that of a street baller.

Allen Iverson reckons Kyrie Irving has the greatest handle in NBA history

Apart from Iverson, another name mentioned in the list of ball-handling magicians is Kyrie Irving. In fact, when on the Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal, The Answer himself admitted KAI had the greatest handle in NBA history. “Kyrie will have you beat and then bring it back. And play with it. Like he toys with people. He can still just go, but if he feels like playing with you,” Iverson claimed.

Champion didn’t disagree. But it wasn’t so simple. When asked the same question, the AND1 legend replied, “In the NBA. Not on the streets. Nah.” Irving’s handles summoned a storm as soon as he came into the league in 2011. His role in Uncle Drew, even though not accurate, signified the extent to which he could go. Without limitations, the Dallas Mavericks sensation, too, could push beyond his boundaries.

Previously, he did go to the streets in 2013, when he was promoting Uncle Drew. There was no match for KAI then. At the least, it does seem like he would make an AND1 mixtape, just like Champion did.

If you were to pick, who do you think is the greatest ball-handler in NBA history: Kyrie Irving or Allen Iverson? Let us know who you would pick in the comments below.