I saw a bio once on ESPN about Oscar Robertson, and it said if an assist had been scored in his playing days like they are today, no one would ever touch him in that category. So evidently a recorded assist is easier to get today than it was in Oscar's day.

Ive always understood an assist to be a player scores on a pass and takes 2 dribbles or less. It doesnt matter how many defenders are on him, where he is at on the floor, or where the pass is made from. A pass is made, 2 dribbles or less is taken, and the player scores, the passer is awarded an assist (just my understanding of an assist).

 

That has always been my understanding and that is the criteria I use when scoring and keeping track of that for the team that I might be keeping stats for.

What if a player is passed the ball for a layup, misses the shot, is fouled and makes the free throws. Is this an assist? I would think not!

 

I don't score that an assist. It has to be a made field goal for it to even qualify. What you described is commonly referred to unofficially as a "blown assist".

What if a player is passed the ball for a layup, misses the shot, is fouled and makes the free throws. Is this an assist? I would think not!

 

No, I don't think it is an assist but maybe it should be. If an excellent pass leads to a score even if it is a foul shot why not ?

So if I have the ball at midcourt and have a man in front of me and I pass him the ball and he has to take a couple of dribbles for the lay-up, isn't this an assist. Has to be!

Yes, it is.

That's the reason I was asking. I think a lot of Stat keepers see it differently. If you were out front on a break and no one around and received the ball and took 3-4 dribbles, that would have to be an assist, wouldn't it.

Yes, it is (although 4 dribbles is going to be debateable).

What if a player is passed the ball for a layup, misses the shot, is fouled and makes the free throws. Is this an assist? I would think not!

No, you can only assist on a made field goal.

I saw a bio once on ESPN about Oscar Robertson, and it said if an assist had been scored in his playing days like they are today, no one would ever touch him in that category. So evidently a recorded assist is easier to get today than it was in Oscar's day.

The NBA now pretty much gives the last man to touch the ball an assist if the scorer didn't hold the ball or pause with the ball while making his move to the basket.

I would say that if the person receiving the pass shoots, or dribbles without having to make a "move" on the defense and scores, it is an assist. All fast breaks that end in a layup with one person passing and another receiving,i.e. break away situation.. regardless of dribbles in my opinion would be an assist.

What if a player is passed the ball for a layup, misses the shot, is fouled and makes the free throws. Is this an assist? I would think not!

 

No, it is not.

High school stats in general are pretty suspect. Broadcast a HS football game earlier this year when the home team had its rushing total more than 75 yards more than the total I had. Now mind you, although I've been keeping stats for more than 30 years, I'm not above admitting that I can make a mistake. But they had their team credited with one more carry (OK, could have missed one) for 75 more yards (now we're stretching things).

 

Some teams get real liberal with tackles, too. Just falling down near the football seems to count as a tackle the way some stats crews count it...

 

Ditto for basketball. Keep in mind that basketball stats are often kept by students...some of whom are very good and conscientious, many of whom are not.