When former NBA star Tony Parker recently evaluated the current generation of basketball players possessing the most lethal floaters in the league, he immediately named Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry before pausing to deliberate on a third selection, sparking wide debate among analysts and fans alike.
The Evolution of the Modern NBA Floater
The running one-handed push shot, commonly known as the floater, has transformed from an unorthodox last resort into an essential offensive weapon for elite guards navigating congested NBA paints. According to basketball historians and player development coaches, the shot allows smaller players to neutralize shot-blockers by releasing the ball over outstretched arms well before reaching the rim. Tony Parker mastered this exact scoring art during his illustrious career with the San Antonio Spurs, using the technique to claim four NBA championships and a Finals MVP award while playing under head coach Gregg Popovich.
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Parker Names Irving and Curry
In his recent assessment circulating online, Parker pointed directly to Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry as the gold standard for the modern touch shot. Both players consistently rank near the top of the league in interior scoring efficiency despite operating in packed lanes against elite rim protectors. Irving utilizes his extraordinary ambidextrous package and body control to launch floaters from impossible angles, while Curry incorporates the shot seamlessly into his historic three-point gravity, punishing defenses that over-commit to his perimeter shooting.
The Search for a Third Elite Practitioner
Having easily named two future Hall of Famers, Parker noted that identifying a third player required careful consideration. The debate over who rounds out the top tier of floater shooters often includes elite guards such as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, all of whom rely heavily on the push shot to sustain their isolation and pick-and-roll scoring.
What Comes Next
As the NBA regular season progresses, opposing defenses continue adjusting their drop coverages and interior help schemes to neutralize these exact micro-skills. Fans and analysts can follow upcoming game broadcasts and official league statistics platforms for further player evaluations and tracking data on paint scoring efficiency.
Share your thoughts on who deserves the third spot in Tony Parker’s floater ranking in the comments below.
