NBA Why don't assists count as points in basketball?

[ferrisjso]

Is there a good reason for this? An assist creates points in basketball just like it does in hockey. Why does basketball not add up points and assists? Like you'd think analytic nerds would keep track of this kind of thing unofficially but nope.

 

[Madmick]

Is there a good reason for this? An assist creates points in basketball just like it does in hockey. Why does basketball not add up points and assists? Like you'd think analytic nerds would keep track of this kind of thing unofficially but nope.

LOL, assists are factored into every conceivable overall advanced metric that exists in basketball. Even the oldest, simplest (and most meaningless) of them all.

Simple PER = (Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks) - (Turnovers + Missed FG + Missed FT)

 

[MM808]

It is counted if you think about it. So important it is designated its own official stat category. I don’t agree it should be counted as points since it is not technically going through the hoop.

 

[Yoricks Wisdom]

because basketball is gay as fok?

 

[Fugazy]

Can't be serious.

 

[HereticBD]

Is there a good reason for this?

Yep. The ball doesn't go in the net on an assist. I know, I was confused at one point as well. I was very confused as to why crossover's don't count as points. Why don't dribbles count as points either? Beats me, but it is what it is.

 

[ferrisjso]

Yep. The ball doesn't go in the net on an assist. I know, I was confused at one point as well. I was very confused as to why crossover's don't count as points. Why don't dribbles count as points either? Beats me, but it is what it is.

But in hockey the puck doesn't go in net?

Is this not about measuring the points a player creates?

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Who wants to consider John Stockton the GOAT...

 

[nonoob]

Assists don't go in the basket.

 

[HereticBD]

But in hockey the puck doesn't go in net?

Is this not about measuring the points a player creates?

Oh', you meant individually. They keep track of that in basketball. It's in their stat lines, and considered when measuring a player's worth.

 

[ferrisjso]

Oh', you meant individually. They keep track of that in basketball. It's in their stat lines, and considered when measuring a player's worth.

I meant why they aren't combined to be "points" like in hockey. Cause points and assists both lead to seperate points.

 

[DoubleA012]

If we're nitpicking the assist statistic, I'm more upset that they don't count the "hockey assist" as an assist in basketball (the player who passes to the player who passes to the scorer). Often times the 2nd man passing to the assister is just as important for setting up the score as the one who actually gets credited with the assist. One of the most famous offensive sets in the World uses this premise to great success (the Triangle Offense).

 

[Crawler89]

If we're nitpicking the assist statistic, I'm more upset that they don't count the "hockey assist" as an assist in basketball (the player who passes to the player who passes to the scorer). Often times the 2nd man passing to the assister is just as important for setting up the score as the one who actually gets credited with the assist. One of the most famous offensive sets in the World uses this premise to great success (the Triangle Offense).

yeah iv thought the same, somtimes it takes two to get the real assist.

but simple, cause it doesnt go through the net.

Assists are tracked, measured, there is awards for it. theres an entire position based around being the best at it

 

[DoubleA012]

yeah iv thought the same, somtimes it takes two to get the real assist.

but simple, cause it doesnt go through the net.

Assists are tracked, measured, there is awards for it. theres an entire position based around being the best at it

They honestly just need to start tracking a separate category called hockey assist. I mean, they already track it unofficially, might as well just make it an official NBA stat.

 

[ferrisjso]

They honestly just need to start tracking a separate category called hockey assist. I mean, they already track it unofficially, might as well just make it an official NBA stat.

I've never seen hockey points measured even unofficially. Never seen a stat adding points and assists on PBR. Have never heard it mentioned once in my entire life.

 

[MM808]

But in hockey the puck doesn't go in net?

Is this not about measuring the points a player creates?

I’m confused as to what you are questioning. The NHL and NBA are different in terms of standings measurements/tiebreakers. The NHL has points of course, but the NBA does not in the same sense. Adding assists to NBA points would be like adding points to the goals scored in the NHL which is separate from points. You would need to create an entirely separate category in the standings to make this make sense. However why stop at assists and not add rebounds or other categories? I think it is fine the way it is, if they added other categories, the points would be in the 10,000s or more lol.

 

[ferrisjso]

I’m confused as to what you are questioning. The NHL and NBA are different in terms of standings measurements/tiebreakers. The NHL has points of course, but the NBA does not in the same sense. Adding assists to NBA points would be like adding points to the goals scored in the NHL which is separate from points. You would need to create an entirely separate category in the standings to make this make sense. However why stop at assists and not add rebounds or other categories? I think it is fine the way it is, if they added other categories, the points would be in the 10,000s or more lol.

I'm questioning why they don't add points and assists together for a players points total.

 

[MM808]

I'm questioning why they don't add points and assists together for a players points total.

They have them separately measured so anyone can add them together if they want lol. Like someone said, it is counted as a sum in PER or other categories. I think having them separate emphasizes it more, making it more valuable. If you combine it, it’s just another combined stat with someone not knowing if it was a scoring point or assist.

And why stop there? Why not add rebounds to it too? Putback buckets with a rebound attributes directly to a basket scored. What about a fast break steal leading directly to a basket? It just gets too jumbled and much better measured individually.

 

[HereticBD]

I meant why they aren't combined to be "points" like in hockey. Cause points and assists both lead to seperate points.

It really doesn't matter. Assist makers/leaders are noted in both, and the points that hockey players receive for assists are essentially superficial. Both leagues respect the assist makers. The assists aren't going unnoticed in the NBA. It's another stat on top of rebounding, steals, etc, for a players line. For instance, Steve Nash was known as a play maker and assist God in the NBA, and made a LOT of money on that designation. The NBA is actually far more precise in breaking down contributions in all areas, and putting emphasis on them, than the NHL. For instance, the NHL isn't putting too much stock into zone clearing plays, or stick checks. At least from a spectator point of view. The NBA relays all that type of nuance to the audience.

 

[MM808]

It really doesn't matter. Assist makers/leaders are noted in both, and the points that hockey players receive for assists are essentially superficial. Both leagues respect the assist makers. The assists aren't going unnoticed in the NBA. It's another stat on top of rebounding, steals, etc, for a players line. For instance, Steve Nash was known as a play maker and assist God in the NBA, and made a LOT of money on that designation. The NBA is actually far more precise in breaking down contributions in all areas, and putting emphasis on them, than the NHL. For instance, the NHL isn't putting too much stock into zone clearing plays, or stick checks. At least from a spectator point of view. The NBA relays all that type of nuance to the audience.

I agree. It would also be weird seeing a player go for 60 points. But there’s an asterisk since technically they score 45 actual points with 15 assists. Just doesn’t seem plausible.