Assist Question

[Sweetest OU Girl]

I noticed during the Tech Game Wednesday, Maddie made a great pass inside to KK. KK instantly went up for the shot - and would almost certainly have hit it, but she was fouled hard by a Tech player. She made the free throws.

Here is the question. Should Maddie be given the assist for that play?

Explain your thoughts if you are willing.

 

[sybarite]

I think there should be an assist if points are scored. An assist is a pass that leads to a score. But, they limit it to a field goal. Probably wrongly.

I get irritated when beautiful passes lead to blown layups, or even worse, to turnovers because of brick hands.

 

[Stringmusic]

I get irritated when I see an obvious need for a pump fake and no pump fake is done.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Maybe they need a new category of assists when the assist leads to free throws.

 

[rocjunkie]

According to the rules, no, but as far as I'm concerned I wish they would change it so a nice pass is rewarded if points result from a shot or from a free throw.

 

[soonermike22]

Assist are for passes that result in another player receiving it in position for, and making a shot at basket. If we give assist or record passes for missed shots, free throws, or the set up pass (like hockey), that is a different category than traditional assists. There are many great passers who move the ball into position, and don't receive stats. If you give an assist for those things, I want a stat for good screens, rebound block outs, and tipped rebounds.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Assist are for passes that result in another player receiving it in position for, and making a shot at basket. If we give assist or record passes for missed shots, free throws, or the set up pass (like hockey), that is a different category than traditional assists. There are many great passers who move the ball into position, and don't receive stats. If you give an assist for those things, I want a stat for good screens, rebound block outs, and tipped rebounds.

Excellent points, Mike.

I agree Maddie will not get an assist for her pass, but my point was that the pass was equivalent to one that would normally result in an assist being recorded, but since an opposing player decided to commit a hard foul, the basket was missed.

Syb has often pointed out that the recording of assists are inconsistent - even in situations different from this one - where the assist should be recorded.