There has been a lot of talk this season about the Toronto Raptors and their "assist-less" offense.Many observers aren't as surprised by the fact that they are winning games, as opposed to how they are winning games.
Questions have arisen about the Raptors "lack of ball movement" which appears to be evident by their shockingly low number of assists.
Any individuals making these sorts of comments are clearly not watching the games.
The Toronto Raptors are NOT an isolation team. They are not a selfish team. They are not a bunch of guys operating individually and going coast to coast.
The Raptors ball movement has been exceptional this season. So how is it possible that they are bottom 3 in the NBA when it comes to assists.
The issue comes down to what the NBA calls an assist.
For example. Raptor big man Jonas Valanciunas usually operates from the “Dunker spot” (along the baseline off the block). He curls in on penetration and when his defender goes to help.
Often times he’ll take a pass from a slashing guard and throw it down – but no assist. According to the NBA rules, if Valanciunas takes a comfort dribble to minimize his distance from the rim, the assist is negated – even though he never would have had that opportunity without being set up by his teammate.
If you watch the Raptors with a critical eye you will see this happens a lot; but not strictly as a means of increased comfort.
The Toronto Raptors are blessed with multiple explosive athletes who usually have an advantage on their opponent off the bounce.
For that reason, the Raptors often spread their opponent out and find the best option available.
They will, with regularity make several extra passes to find the right option.
If the player receiving the ball senses a mismatch, he has been greenlighted to attack the rim.
Remember, in the NBA – the highest percentage shots are layups / dunks, free throws and corner threes.
Why take a perimeter jumper that would create an assist when you have the ability to get to the basket and take shot that has a much higher likelihood of being completed?
Going back to the highest percentage shots – the Raptors are one of the best teams in the NBA at getting to the free throw line.
If Point Guard Kyle Lowry passes to a cutting Lou Williams in traffic and Lou is fouled, Lowry will not receive an assist on the free throws that follow – even though his pass is what led to those free throws.
So combine the fact that the Raptors move the ball to exploit matchups, and look to get to the free throw line a lot – and you’re looking at a major drop off in your assist numbers.
For the record, the third most efficient shot in the NBA, the corner 3, is one of the Raptors deadliest weapons and it always comes off an assist, obviously – because it’s a simple catch and shoot situation – the typical NBA assist.
The NBA has, over the years, revisited what constitutes an assist and in my opinion – it’s time to revisit that topic because outstanding ball movement and physical athletic takes are not being rewarded on the stat sheet.
Then again, the only stat that matters is the one under W, where the Raptors are currently 19-6 and leading the Eastern Conference.
