NBA Power Rankings: 10 Best Passers in the Association

Most NBA fans, whether avid or casual, know that Wilt Chamberlain owns the record for scoring 100 points in a single NBA game. 

But how many fans know who has the record for most assists?

Scott Skiles holds the record with 30 assists in a single game, and while the most passionate of fans might have already known that, those of you who desire points, dunks and three-pointers may have just learned a new piece of trivia.

Every NBA player likes to score, and many fans like to focus on just that.

But in today's NBA, where multi-talented stars occupy each team's roster, there are a handful of players who have not only excelled through their ability to pass the ball, they've embraced their skill sets to get others involved on a game-to-game basis.  

Honorable Mentions

Jason Kidd: Down to just 5.6 assists per game this season, Kidd finds himself just shy of making the list. Incredible court vision, however, and having the second most assists of all time will keep him close year after year.

Chauncey Billups: A scoring guard throughout most of his career, Billups has a career average of only 5.5 assists per game. That being said, if you've ever watched him hit a backdoor cut or swing the ball to the open man, you've realized that numbers don't tell the whole story.

Tony Parker: Averaging a career high in assists this season, Tony Parker recently passed Avery Johnson for the most assists in San Antonio Spurs franchise history. He doesn't always get credit for his passing skills, but you can't hold that kind of record without being one of the great passers in your team's history. 

Jeremy Linn: Throughout his incredible run, Lin has averaged 8.0 assists per game, and he's become somewhat of a playmaker for the New York Knicks. It's going to take more than five games to crack this list, but if the run continues alongside Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, and he can get the turnovers under control, Lin could find himself touted as a facilitator in the years to come. 

10. Pau Gasol

2012 Assists Per Game: 2.9

Career Assists Per Game: 3.2

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.68

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.37

While his assist numbers don't scream out to anybody, watching the 7'0" power forward play can convince anyone that he has the touch and vision to find open players all over the court.

In a league that no longer features passing bigs such as Shaquille O'Neal, Vlade Divac and Arvydas Sabonis, Gasol stands out as one of the great remaining passing big men in the NBA.

9. Dwyane Wade

2012 Assists Per Game: 5.1

Career Assists Per Game: 6.3

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.86

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.75

If Dwyane Wade's full-court alley-oop was the only pass of his NBA career, he'd probably still have a spot as an honorable mention on this list.

His numbers as a passer don't warrant a top spot on this list, but the types of plays he makes as a distributor put him up there with the best.

Wade's uncanny ability to pass the ball out of a shot makes him a dangerous passer in any game-time situation.

Aside from Kobe Bryant, it's tough to think of a player who can go up for a shot, draw a double-team and at the peak of his jump, kick the ball cross-court to an open teammate. 

8. Jose Calderon

2012 Assists Per Game: 8.8

Career Assists Per Game: 7.1

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 4.56

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 4.12

Jose Calderon may be one of the more underrated passers in the NBA today.

Hidden in Toronto on the 9-20 Raptors, Calderon has not only the fourth-highest assist average in the league, he also has the highest assist/turnover ratio in the entire NBA.

Getting the assists is one thing, but doing it efficiently without turning the ball over is a whole separate category—a category Calderon has become one of the best in.

7. Derrick Rose

2012 Assists Per Game: 7.8

Career Assists Per Game: 6.8

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.71

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.34

Entering the NBA, Rose wouldn't have belonged anywhere near the top of this list. Today, however, he has become much more than just a scorer for the Chicago Bulls.

Averaging a career high in assists this season, Rose has become one of the most well-rounded point guards in the NBA. 

His willingness to score above the rim makes him dangerous, but his ability to draw the defense and dish it out to his teammates makes him one of the best point guards in the league.

6. Deron Williams

2012 Assists Per Game: 8.4

Career Assists Per Game: 9.2

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.99

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.93

Whether it be his effectiveness running the pick and roll, or his ability to make a miraculous find on the fast break, Deron Williams should be regarded year after year as one of the best point guards in the Association.

Quite frankly, he could be higher on this list, and it would be tough to find anyone to argue otherwise.

Averaging his lowest assist numbers since his rookie season, however, Williams has had to deal with a New Jersey Nets team that has only eight wins on the season and is missing arguably its second-best player, Brook Lopez.

If he ever finds himself paired with another superstar, we could see Williams become one of the easiest double-double promises in the league today.

5. Ricky Rubio

2012 Assists Per Game: 8.7

Career Assists Per Game: 8.7

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.74

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.74

In only his first NBA season, Ricky Rubio has found himself fifth in the NBA in assists, and he's proving to doubters that he very well can play in the Association after all.

Sure, there's still time for Rubio to disappoint. But if he keeps up his play alongside Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love, it wouldn't be too wild to think that Rubio could climb this list even higher throughout his NBA career.

4. LeBron James

2012 Assists Per Game: 7.0

Career Assists Per Game: 7.0

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.74

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.08 

Anybody remember LeBron James' crazy court vision commercial from early in his career?

OK, just because Nike and Bernie Mac say it, that doesn't make it true.

Being in the top 10 in assists, however, and having the ability to thread the needle through double-teams, certainly points to James as one of the game's best all-around playmakers.

At 6'8", 250 pounds, James has the physical attributes to see over, blow past and plow through opponents to find his open teammates. 

If James were to fully embrace the role of the facilitator, he just might be known more for his crazy court vision than any other part of his game.

3. Rajon Rondo

2012 Assists Per Game: 9.5

Career Assists Per Game: 7.6

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.5

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.95

From a statistical standpoint, Rajon Rondo is a clear-cut candidate for best passer in the NBA. 

What Rondo lacks in his ability to shoot the ball, he more than makes up for by placing second in the league in assists and being able to make the smart plays on virtually any possession.  

Rondo is a constant threat to make the crowd go nuts, and his highlight reels are what makes him one of the most exciting players in the NBA to watch.

If he can improve his shot throughout the rest of his career, and force defenses to tighten up around the perimeter, defending the pass will become priority No. 2 for defenses, and his passing game can reach a whole new level as he enters the prime of his career. 

2. Chris Paul

2012 Assists Per Game: 9.1

Career Assists Per Game: 9.9

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 4.64

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 3.99

Paul has never averaged less than 7.8 assists throughout his NBA career, and his ability to play smart with the ball has given him the second-highest assist/turnover ratio this season.

Paul belonged on this list long before arriving in Los Angeles and jump-starting "Lob City."  

Having Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan on his side, however, has put him in the spotlight of the highlight reels, and it has reminded everybody how tough it is to find a better passer anywhere in the NBA.

1. Steve Nash

2012 Assists Per Game: 10.3

Career Assists Per Game: 8.5

2012 Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.9

Career Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2.99

Steve Nash has never been a player who has used his athleticism to propel his success.

A high basketball IQ and incredible court vision have allowed Nash to lead the NBA in assists five different times throughout his illustrious NBA career.

At age 38, Nash is No. 1 in assists again this season, and one of Nash's best skills has to be his ability to simply keep his dribble.

Whether it be escaping a double-team or dribbling around a bigger defender, Nash can make the most of a possession and get the ball where it needs to be.

Despite a lack of athleticism that is found in most of today's premier point guards, Nash isn't exactly known for his basic chest and bounce passes.

Whether it's between the legs, around the back or from one end of the court to the other, it's effortless flair that helps land Nash the No. 1 spot on this list.