Jonah Patel
In the NBA, an assist is a pass that enables a teammate to score a basket. Assists are an indicator of a player's contribution to their team and are one of the most basic tempo-free NBA stats. However, the criteria for what constitutes an assist are quite subjective and have evolved over time. While the original definition of an assist did not include passes that led to a basket after dribbling, the current interpretation is more liberal. Today, an assist can be scored even if the player who receives the pass dribbles the ball for a short distance or takes a little pump fake move to throw off the defense before shooting. The value of an assist can be quantified in various ways, such as the potential assist value, which assigns a higher value to passes that lead to closer shots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads directly to a score by field goal. |
| An assist is also credited when a basket is awarded due to defensive goaltending. | |
| Criteria | There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist. |
| An assist can be scored for the passer even if the player who receives the pass makes a basket after dribbling the ball for a short distance. | |
| Only the pass directly before the score may be counted as an assist, so no more than one assist can be recorded per field goal. | |
| A pass that leads to a shooting foul and scoring by free throws does not count as an assist. | |
| Assist Percentage | Assist percentage, aka assist ratio, is an estimated percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while the player is on the court. |
| Assist Percentage Formula = 100 * Assists/(((Minutes Played / (Team Minutes/5)) * Team Field Goals Made) – Field Goals Made) | |
| Subjectivity | Assist statistics are subjective and open to interpretation. |
| Comparison Across Eras | The comparison of assist statistics across eras is complex due to changes in the definition of an assist. |
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What You'll Learn
An assist is awarded when a pass leads to a basket from defensive goaltending
In basketball, an assist is a pass that directly leads to a basket. This can be a pass to a teammate that enables a direct score, such as a layup or an open perimeter shot. The key factor is that the pass contributes directly to the basket being made.
An assist is also credited when a basket is awarded due to defensive goaltending. Goaltending is when a defender interferes with the ball as it is on its way down towards the basket, or when it is already on the rim or passing through the net. If a pass leads to a basket from defensive goaltending, it is considered an assist.
The judgement of whether a pass should be credited as an assist is made by a statistician. Their decision can be subjective, and there may be some variation in how lenient different statisticians are. However, the general rule is that only the pass directly before the score may be counted as an assist, and no more than one assist can be recorded per field goal.
Secondary assists, or "hockey assists", are also recognised in the NBA. These occur when a player passes the ball to another player who then records an assist within one second and without dribbling. While this doesn't directly lead to a basket, it is still recognised as contributing to the scoring play.
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Assists are subjective and open to interpretation
The nature of what constitutes an assist in the NBA means that the awarding of them is somewhat subjective and open to interpretation. While the NBA defines a potential assist as "any pass to a teammate who shoots within one dribble of receiving the ball", there is still room for interpretation. For example, the rule states "within one dribble", but this is not always clear-cut, and scorekeepers—employed by the team, not the league—may be more lenient when it comes to the home team.
Additionally, only the pass directly before a score may be counted as an assist, and no more than one assist can be recorded per field goal. However, this can be a matter of interpretation, as it may not always be clear which pass directly led to the basket. For example, a pass that leads to a shooting foul and scoring by free throws does not count as an assist in the NBA, but it does in FIBA play.
The role of the player also comes into play when it comes to assists. Point guards tend to get the most assists per game as they are primarily passers and ball handlers, whereas centers tend to get fewer assists. However, centers with good floor presence and court vision can dominate a team by assisting, as they often have the best angles and positions for "dishes" and other short passes in the scoring area.
Overall, while there are rules and definitions in place to determine what constitutes an assist in the NBA, the application of these rules can vary depending on interpretation and the context of the game.
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Assists are not an exact science
Assists are a fundamental statistic in basketball, but they are not an exact science. The NBA defines an assist as "any pass to a teammate who shoots within one dribble of receiving the ball." A pass directly leading to a basket can also be considered an assist. However, the subjective nature of assists makes it challenging to track them accurately. Scorekeepers employed by the team may have different interpretations of what constitutes an assist, and the home team may receive more favourable treatment.
The NBA's Statistician's Manual allows for some vagueness in the definition of an assist, leaving room for interpretation by scorekeepers and statisticians. This subjectivity can result in inconsistencies in how assists are awarded across different arenas and teams. Some players and teams may benefit from more generous interpretations of assists, inflating their assist counts.
Additionally, the NBA's definition of an assist does not account for all scenarios. For example, if a player creates a scoring opportunity for a teammate, but the teammate is fouled before scoring, the player does not receive an assist. In such cases, an assist should be awarded if the teammate makes both free throws. Moreover, the NBA's definition contradicts itself by stating that a pass leading directly to a basket is an assist while also allowing for dribbles before the score.
The subjective nature of assists and the inconsistencies in their awarding have led to calls for the NBA to re-examine its criteria. While assists are an important indicator of a player's contribution to their team, they are not a precise science and can vary depending on the context and interpretation of the scorekeeper. As a result, other statistics like points, rebounds, steals, and blocks are considered more definitive in evaluating player performance.
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Assists are an indicator of a player's contribution to their team
Assists are a crucial aspect of basketball, and they serve as a significant indicator of a player's contribution to their team's success. An assist is defined as a pass that directly leads to a basket and facilitates a score. This can take various forms, such as a pass to the low post, a long pass for a layup, or a fast-break pass to a teammate, enabling them to score. Point guards tend to accumulate the most assists per game due to their primary role as passers and ball handlers.
In the NBA, the definition and criteria for an assist are well-defined. Only the pass directly before a score qualifies as an assist, and no more than one assist can be recorded per field goal. This differs from sports like ice hockey, where multiple players can register an assist on a single play. A pass that leads to a shooting foul and results in scoring by free throws is counted as an assist in FIBA play but not in the NBA.
The NBA also recognises the concept of a "potential assist," defined as "any pass to a teammate who shoots within one dribble of receiving the ball." While a successful score is necessary for an official assist, potential assists acknowledge passes that directly set up a shot attempt. Assists are not just numbers; they reflect a player's court vision, passing skills, and ability to create scoring opportunities for their teammates.
Some of the top assist leaders in the NBA include Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, who led the league in assists per game during the 2023-24 season, followed by notable players such as Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, James Harden, and LeBron James. John Stockton holds the record for the most career assists in the NBA, with an impressive total of 15,806 assists. Magic Johnson boasts the highest career assist per game average, with an astonishing 11.2 assists per game.
Assists are not just individual accolades but are indicative of a player's ability to facilitate and create scoring chances for their team. They showcase a player's court awareness, passing accuracy, and willingness to involve their teammates in the offence. A high number of assists can also indicate a well-coordinated team with effective offensive strategies. Assists are a vital statistic that recognises and celebrates the unselfish acts of players who may not always be the ones taking the shot but are instrumental in creating those scoring opportunities for their team.
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Assists are one of the most basic tempo-free NBA stats
By viewing a game in terms of possessions, we can separate the skill of teams in certain areas, such as scoring, from the speed with which they play the game. This is why tempo-free stats are so useful. They allow us to compare players who may play in different systems or are used in different ways.
In the NBA, an assist is a pass that directly leads to a basket. This can be a pass to the low post that leads to a direct score, a long pass for a layup, or a fast-break pass to a teammate for a layup. A player must score for another player to receive an assist, but potential assists count every shot attempt that was directly set up by a teammate.
The NBA defines a potential assist as "any pass to a teammate who shoots within one dribble of receiving the ball."
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Frequently asked questions
An assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate, leading directly to a score by a field goal. An assist can also be credited when a basket is awarded due to defensive goaltending.
There is some judgement involved in deciding whether a pass should be credited as an assist. If the player receiving the pass pauses or dribbles for a while, it is not considered an assist. However, if the player takes a short dribble as part of an immediate reaction, it can still be considered an assist.
No, passes that lead to foul shots do not count as assists.
