For decades, big men were expected to live in the paint, collect rebounds, and maybe throw down a few dunks if the guards decided to share. But every once in a while, a unicorn would pop up—a seven-footer with handles, vision, or a jumper that made you do a double-take.
Before the modern NBA made it cool for centers to shoot threes and push the break, these guys were already blurring the lines. Whether it was dishing out assists like a point guard or crossing someone up like a two-guard, these bigs were ahead of their time—and they knew it.
20. Bill Laimbeer
Sure, he was more famous for throwing elbows than crossovers, but Laimbeer had legit range before stretch fives were even a thought. He pulled defenders out of the paint and made them uncomfortable in ways that had nothing to do with cheap shots.
19. Bob Lanier
Lanier had a soft shooting touch and was always willing to make the extra pass. His footwork was smooth enough to make you forget he was built like a tank.
18. Jack Sikma
Sikma’s high-release jumper was basically a guard shot in a center’s body. And with the “Sikma move” in the post, he looked more like a skilled wing than a bruiser.
17. Terry Cummings
Cummings had the quickness and shooting ability to play multiple roles on the court. He was physical, but he could also face up and knock down mid-range shots with ease.
16. Detlef Schrempf
He was listed as a forward, but Detlef had the handle, vision, and range to run an offense. In another era, he probably would’ve been a full-time stretch-four playmaker.
15. Christian Laettner
Say what you want about the guy, but Laettner had a perimeter game before most bigs even tried. He could dribble, shoot, and pass, and wasn’t afraid to hang around the arc.
14. Ralph Sampson
At 7-foot-4, Sampson wasn’t just a freak of nature—he was a skilled one. He could bring the ball up the floor and move like a forward trapped in a giant’s frame.
13. Lamar Odom
Odom was the original matchup nightmare—too tall for guards, too skilled for bigs. He ran the break like a point forward and made it all look way too easy.
12. Toni Kukoč
Kukoč might’ve looked like a Euro big man, but he had a guard’s mentality. He passed, shot, and handled the ball with finesse that screamed perimeter player.
11. Andrei Kirilenko
Kirilenko was a walking mismatch—long enough to protect the rim, but agile enough to run the offense. He could handle, pass, and slash like a guard, all while looking like he was built in a basketball lab.
10. Chris Webber
Webber’s passing from the elbow was downright surgical. Combine that with his handles and jump shot, and you’ve got a power forward playing like a point forward.
9. Clifford Robinson
“Uncle Cliffy” was launching threes before it was fashionable for bigs. He wasn’t flashy, but his game was smooth and guard-friendly in a sneaky kind of way.
8. Kevin Garnett
KG’s intensity got most of the headlines, but his perimeter skills were just as impressive. He could face up, hit jumpers, and make the extra pass like a shooting guard trapped in a 7-footer’s body.
7. Bill Walton
Walton was like a 70s version of Jokic—vision, timing, and touch from the high post. Injuries robbed us of his full career, but his feel for the game was light-years ahead.
6. Derrick Coleman
Coleman could bully you in the post or pop out and splash a three. His combination of size and finesse made him one of the most frustrating covers of the ’90s.
5. Sam Perkins
“Big Smooth” wasn’t just a nickname—it was a whole vibe. Perkins had a three-point shot and a relaxed pace that screamed guard trapped in a center’s body.
4. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk made the one-legged fadeaway a trademark, but don’t forget about his handle and range. He was the prototype for the modern stretch four (and five) before it had a name.
3. Chris Bosh
In Miami, Bosh turned into a floor-spacing big, but his perimeter skills were always there. He could shoot, move off the ball, and play like a jumbo shooting guard when needed.
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2. Anthony Mason
Mason’s game was gritty, but his passing and ball-handling were straight-up elegant. He often initiated the offense and made it look like a casual stroll in the park.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Best NBA Point Guards Ever
1. Hakeem Olajuwon
The Dream’s footwork was so smooth it should’ve been illegal. He danced around defenders, hit mid-range jumpers, and passed out of double teams like a seasoned guard wearing size 17s.
Read More: 20 NBA Big Men Who Played Like Guards Before It Was Trendy
