A basketball assist is simply a pass to another player that will quickly convert into points. It is one of the figures counted and attributed to players overall game statistics. There is often a misconception about assists as not all basketball passes that converts into points can be considered as assists. In fact, there is some judgment involved to consider if it is one. However, there are also times that judges count a pass as an assist even if the recipient of the ball has dribbled it before making the basket. The truth is assist statistics of today no longer cover its original definition and assist statistics from different basketball eras should not be compared with the other.

Demetri McCamey signals a play

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Assist statistics in basketball is not very accurate and contains lots of errors. This is because some of the figures contain subjectivity. Other leagues even have their own interpretation or description of what an assist is. This means there are fluctuations involved on how assists are credited.

Inside the statistics manual of the National Basketball Association, it indicates that assists are credited to a player that tosses the last pass that directly leads to a field goal, and only if the recipient of the pass demonstrates immediate reaction for the shot. The truth is although this may sound simple enough, it garners different interpretation and definition during the game as many of the details becomes very vague. This is because the definition of the assist does not indicate whether dribble, pivots, steps, fakes, and other moves are involved for a pass to become an assist.

During the game, it is usually the point guards that garners the most assist. The reason behind this is mostly because of their role as the main ball handler that always stays in the center of the court. This gives them the most court vision which allows them to recognize and identify which teammate is best to pass to.

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