Beyond assists | Passing, shot creation & offensive load (NBA Stats 101, Part 4)

In Part 4 of the Thinking Basketball stats series: Some players make idle passes (Rondo Assists) and others carve up defenses and create shots for teammates without receiving any credit in the box score. How can we measure this more fairly than the assist? Similarly, how can we measure passing beyond the assist? Is assist-to-turnover ratio any good? We also look at a better way to describe workload/volume/usage in basketball. Additional resources:

More on assist:turnovers:

Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:

Player art by @CrumpledJumper
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Music: Music by Jordan Ciurcovich (Forest) & The Way Forward

[allwecanseeisaboveusnow]

We’re watching a man create history right now. Creating new way to “statistize” the game of basketball, you are an absolute genius!

[JackFury]

When showing Kobe and how he drew people to him and could pass out to open shooters even if not directly it shows how hard it is to measure Curry. He doesn't even need to ball to generate such attention and drag players around. But how do you even measure that

[Davivd]

You are really onto something here with your metric breakdowns. I've never been a fan of metrics. To me metrics don't fully encapsulate what happens on the basketball court and only illustrate part of the picture. You breakdown the weaknesses in standard metrics and address what's being glanced over, then find a metric that addresses the flaws within the standard metrics. Keep up the good work. I hope that coaches begin to adopt your way of looking at stats and evaluating players. It can be very helpful. I still can't get on board with open mid range shots being a bad idea though. :-P

[mightythepeople]

Always thought I understood that there was a difference between pass first guys and assist guys. Thank you for quantifying it, keep doing what you’re doing man.

[StillTre_]

Really challenging the way we look at the top playmakers in league history.

[govols]

Really recommend watching his Top Playmakers of All Time Podcast where he features some of these stats

[DavidJimenez-hetv]

Finally some recognition on Kobe's playmaking abilities. People really sleep on that aspect of Kobe's game.

[psilentxjin]

I'm curious to see what Manu's stats would look like with these metrics. He made a lot of high-risk-high-reward plays. So. Fun.

[NotZay]

I’m a simple man. I see a Thinking Basketball Video, I click, I like, I enjoy

[huangalex]

Dude, you inspired me with all those amazing analysis and drew me into the field of statistics.

[cerberus]

i love being bored looking for something to watch and coming across a new Thinking Basketball video

[JoeYatesAlaskanFilms]

I’m glad I stumbled across this channel. I have been watching only Thinking Basketball for the past few days now.

[yuanabjelina]

Got a short essay to finish and a quiz on chemistry tomorrow but do they really matter when a channel like this uploads?

[mitchellholcomb]

This channel is honestly fantastic. Not only is the content unique and extremely informative, the man knows how to teach. The professionalism shines through in every video.

[j.r.]

You’re videos are extremely underrated and extremely creative and detailed. You touch on topics regular analysts wouldn’t talk about. Nice video.

[democracyisdying]

I always thought a stat like this would show how much better Dirk was at creating open shots for his teammates then given credit. He often had a ton of Hockey assists if you watched the games.

[T.H.E.O.R.Y.]

Love how you break basketball down to a science. There truly is more to the game than meets the eye.

[jun]

The reason why you are one of the best basketball youtubers out there. You're even better than the majority of the so called "experts" in espn or other networks.

[exquisitemeat]

You make stats very easy to digest and learn; normally I have a hard time keeping up. Great vid!

[josevelezjr.]

Subscribing to your Patreon seems the same as funding grants at a university.