List of National Basketball Association annual assists leaders
In basketball, an assist is a pass to a teammate that directly leads to a score by field goal.[1] The National Basketball Association's (NBA) assist title is awarded to the player with the highest assists per game average in a given season. The assists title was first recognized in the 1946–47 season when statistics on assists were first compiled by the Basketball Association of America (BAA), predecessor of the NBA.[2] To qualify for the assist title, the player must appear in at least 70 games (out of 82) or have at least 400 assists. This has been the entry criteria since the 1974–75 season.[3] The assists title was originally determined by assist total through the 1968–69 season, after which assists per game was used to determine the leader instead.
John Stockton holds the all-time records for total assists (1,164) and assists per game (14.54) in a season, achieved in the 1990–91 and 1989–90 seasons, respectively.[2] Mark Jackson holds the rookie records for total assists and assists per game when he had 868 and averaged 10.6 in the 1987–88 season.[2][4] Among active players, Chris Paul had the highest season assists total (925) in the 2007–08 season and Rajon Rondo had the highest season assists average (11.70) in the 2011–12 season.
Stockton has won the most assists titles in his career, with nine. Bob Cousy won eight assists titles, while Oscar Robertson won six. Jason Kidd and Nash have won five assists titles, while Kevin Porter and Earvin "Magic" Johnson have each won four. Chris Paul, Andy Phillip, Guy Rodgers, and Rajon Rondo are the only other players to have won the title more than once. Stockton has also won the most consecutive assists titles, with nine. Three players have won both the assists title and the NBA championship in the same season: Cousy in 1957 and from 1959 to 1960 with the Boston Celtics; Jerry West in 1972 with the Los Angeles Lakers; and Johnson in 1987 with the Lakers.
Key
^ | Denotes player who is still active in the NBA | |||||
* | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame | |||||
Denotes player who won the MVP award that year | ||||||
Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player had been the assists leader up to and including that season | |||||
G | Guard | F | Forward | C | Center |
Assist leaders
Multiple-time leaders
Ranking | Player | Team | Times leader | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 9 | 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 |
2 | Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics | 8 | 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 |
3 | Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals | 6 | 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969 |
4 | Jason Kidd Steve Nash | Phoenix Suns (3) / New Jersey Nets (2) Phoenix Suns | 5 | 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 |
5 | Magic Johnson Chris Paul Kevin Porter | Los Angeles Lakers New Orleans Hornets (2) / Los Angeles Clippers (2) Washington Bullets (2) / Detroit Pistons (1) / Pistons/New Jersey Nets (1) | 4 | 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981 |
6 | Rajon Rondo | Boston Celtics (2) / Sacramento Kings (1) | 3 | 2012, 2013, 2016 |
7 | Andy Phillip Guy Rodgers | Philadelphia Warriors San Francisco Warriors (1) / Chicago Bulls (1) | 2 | 1951, 1952 1963, 1967 |
Notes
- ↑ The player's primary position is listed first.
- ↑ Chamberlain became the first and, as of the 2015–16 season, only center to win the assists title.
- ↑ In the 1971–72 season, Lenny Wilkens had the highest assist total (766) but was second in assist average (9.6).[19]
- ↑ In the 1983–84 season, Isiah Thomas and Norm Nixon both had the highest assist totals (914) but they were tied for second in assist average (11.1).[40]
- ↑ John Stockton holds the all-time record for total assists per game in a single season.[2]
- ↑ John Stockton holds the all-time record for total assists in a single season.[2]
- ↑ The 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games due to the league's lockout.[58] The qualification of this season's assist title is to appear in at least 43 games (out of 50) or to have at least 244 assists.[3]
- ↑ In the 1999–2000 season, Jason Kidd had only played in 67 games and ranked fifth in assist total. Gary Payton had the highest total (732).[61]
- ↑ In the 2003–04 season, Stephon Marbury and Steve Nash both had higher assist totals (719 and 687 respectively) but they ranked second and third in assist average (8.9 and 8.8), respectively.[66]
- ↑ The 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games due to the league's lockout.[73] The qualification of this season's assist title is to appear in at least 57 games (out of 66) or to have at least 322 assists.[3]
- ↑ In the 2011–12 season, Steve Nash had the highest assist total (664) but was second in assist average (10.7).[74]
- ↑ In the 2012–13 season, Greivis Vásquez had the highest assist total (704) but was third in assist average (9.0).[76]
- ↑ In the 2013–14 season, John Wall, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry all had higher assist totals (721, 703 and 666 respectively) but they were tied for second, ranked fifth and sixth in assist average (8.8, 8.6 and 8.5), respectively.[77][78]
References
- General
- "Yearly Leaders and Records for Assists Per Game". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- Specific
- ↑ "Basketball glossary". FIBA.com. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Regular Season Records: Assists". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
- 1 2 3 "Rate Statistic Requirements". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
- ↑ "Mark Jackson is Unanimous Choice". Rome News-Tribune. May 6, 1988. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 "2013-14 Official NBA Guide" (PDF). nba.com. November 6, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Ernie Calverley NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Howie Dallmar NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Bob Davies NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Dick McGuire NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- 1 2 "Andy Phillip NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bob Cousy NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Oscar Robertson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 "Guy Rodgers NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Wilt Chamberlain NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1969–70". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Lenny Wilkens NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1970–71". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Norm Van Lier NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 "League Leaders: Assists – 1971–72". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Jerry West NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1972–73". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Nate Archibald NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1973–74". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Ernie DiGregorio NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1974–75". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kevin Porter NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1975–76". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Slick Watts NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1976–77". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Don Buse NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1977–78". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1978–79". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1979–80". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Micheal Ray Richardson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1980–81". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1981–82". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Johnny Moore NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1982–83". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 "Magic Johnson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 "League Leaders: Assists – 1983–84". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1984–85". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Isiah Thomas NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1985–86". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1986–87". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1987–88". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "John Stockton NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1988–89". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1989–90". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1990–91". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1992–93". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1993–94". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1994–95". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1995–96". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1996–97". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Mark Jackson NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1997–98". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Rod Strickland NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ Beck, Howard (February 14, 2009). "N.B.A. and Union Are Discussing New Labor Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 1998–99". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Jason Kidd NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 "League Leaders: Assists – 1999–2000". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 2000–01". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 2001–02". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Andre Miller NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 2002–03". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 "League Leaders: Assists – 2003–04". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 2004–05". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Steve Nash NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 2005–06". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 2006–07". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ "League Leaders: Assists – 2007–08". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 "Chris Paul NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ↑ Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ↑ "2011-12 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Rajon Rondo NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- ↑ "2012-13 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ↑ "2013-14 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Stephen Curry NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.