The Toronto Raptors have been the subject of much commentary for their ability to win a bunch of games despite tallying fewer assists than most NBA teams.
Assists are credited by the official scorer to the player who makes a pass which leads directly to a basket, even if the pass receiver dribbles the ball prior to scoring. There are no assists awarded on baskets scored from offensive rebounds. If a player receives a pass and is hacked while shooting, causing him to miss, there is no assist awarded, even if he makes his free throws.
An “assist” is not objective.