What is an Assist?
At its core, an assist is when one player passes the ball to another player who then scores. But there are different types of assists, each with its own unique characteristics.
Common Types of Assists
- Simple Passes: These are basic passes that don’t require any fancy footwork or advanced ball handling skills. They can be made from almost anywhere on the court and are often used as a way to get the ball into the hands of a teammate who is in position to score.
- Cross-Courts: These are long, diagonal passes that cross the court from one side to the other. They require good timing and accuracy, but can be very effective at getting the ball to a teammate who is wide open for a shot.
- Overhead Passes: These are passes that are made while the ball is in mid-air. They are often used when the ball is intercepted or when a player is trying to get out of a double-team. They require good anticipation and timing, but can be very effective at disrupting an opponent’s defense.
- Dribble Passes: These are passes that are made while dribbling the ball. They can be used to change direction or to get the ball to a teammate who is wide open for a shot. Dribble passes require good ball control and decision-making skills, but can be very effective at creating scoring opportunities.
Measuring Assists
As we mentioned earlier, there are different types of assists, each with its own unique characteristics. This means that it’s not always easy to measure the effectiveness of an assist. However, there are a few factors that can help you assess the value of an assist:
- Timing: The timing of an assist is often more important than the number of assists. An assist that comes at the right time, when a teammate is wide open for a shot, can be much more valuable than a long string of assists that don’t result in any points being scored.
- Difficulty: The difficulty of an assist can also play a role in its value. A simple pass that gets the ball to a teammate who is wide open for a shot may not be as valuable as a cross-court pass that disrupts an opponent’s defense and creates a scoring opportunity.
- Impact: Finally, the impact of an assist on the game can also be an important factor to consider. An assist that leads to a three-pointer or a dunk can have a much bigger impact on the score than a pass that leads to a free throw or a miss.
Top NBA Assists in History
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics of assists in basketball, let’s take a closer look at some of the most memorable assists in NBA history:
- Magic Johnson’s Pass Against the Cleveland Cavaliers: In Game 5 of the 1989 NBA Finals, Magic Johnson made a pass that disrupted the Cavaliers’ defense and led to a game-winning buzzer-beater by teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The pass is widely regarded as one of the greatest assists in NBA history.
