“Michael, if you can’t pass, you can’t play”

The above is a famous quote from Michael Jordan’s college coach Dean Smith.

Passing has always been a key ingredient in basketball, as is Rebounding, Defence and Shooting as we all know. But is it the most important? Why would Dean Smith tell the most potent offensive player the world has ever seen he has to pass? Rebounds were touched on last week as an important key to winning in the SBL Scoop and this week it’s time to look at finding your team mates when they are open.

The below list is the assist to made shot percentage in each of the games played over this weekend.

Geraldton: 56.7% of made baskets came from an assist
Mandurah: 50%

Goldfields:51.8%
Willetton: 50%

Perry Lakes: 90.9%
Rockingham: 60%

Perth: 51.5%
Cockburn: 45.4%

Stirling: 69.7%
South West: 71.8%

Wanneroo: 44.8%
Lakeside: 47.3%

Kalamunda: 40.5%
East Perth: 52.1%

*Team in Bold won the game

As seen in the statistics above, out of the 7 games played over the weekend the team that won the assist to made basket percentage won 5 of those times. Perry Lakes had a remarkable figure of 90.9% in their win. Calm down ’86 Celtics. In their previous game they had a percentage of 78.8%. This tells us the Hawks are finding their team-mates when they are open; another reason why they are consolidating 4th spot on the ladder.

There is no doubt that sharing the ball and setting up team-mates is a crucial part of basketball. SBL defences are very well prepared these days, as every side scouts the other teams in the league and they know each other’s offenses inside out. Getting good shots and the ball through player’s hands (ball movement) is a crucial part of success as every coach in the SBL is sure to attest to.

There are some special players in the SBL who single handedly make life easier for their team-mates. So let’s take a peek at the top assist leaders for this season

Joel Wagner – 9.9 APG (2.75/1 Assists-Turnover ratio)

Wagner fresh off his NBL experience with the Kings is having another solid season leading the SBL in assists with a healthy 9.9 dimes per outing. What a difference Wags makes to shooters like Neill and Maestro; his ability to break down defences and find a spot up shooter has him sitting as the number 1 point guard in the league again this season. His 2.75 assist per turnover is well above the league average for the leagues starting point guards and a remarkable statistic.

Andrew Bowman – 8.5 APG (1.55/1 Assist-Turnover ratio)

Bowman is a triple double waiting to happen each week, as he also rebounds well and has the ability to put points on the board. He has been the floor leader in Mandurah for a while now, and when he plays well, the Magic are winning or often in the hunt. He is definitely a key ingredient to the Magic’s success, but needs to get that assist to turnover ratio up above the 2/1 mark to ensure the Magic’s efficiency.

Joe-Alan Tupaea – 7.5 APG (1.7/1 Assist-Turnover ratio)

A seasoned veteran of the SBL it’s no surprise to see Joe-Alan on this list. The Scoop saw Joe-Alan single handedly lead his side back from the brink against Wanneroo with his heady point guard play and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch. Joey sees the floor as well as anyone in this league, and his ability to make his team-mates better is a big reason why Perry Lakes are making some noise this season.

Adam Nener – 6.8 APG (2.3/1 Assist-Turnover ratio)

This Willetton floor general has done a great job finding his star studded team-mates over the past few seasons. It definitely makes like easier when you have the likes of Kampman, Jones, DJ, Tovey, Knight, Prince and Shaw at the receiving end when you’re dishing out the basketball. Nener does a great job distributing and getting into the Tigers offence, which is why Coach Hampel places such value in this wily point guard.

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Now I’m sure there isn’t a player in the SBL that doesn’t love a shot. Guaranteed every SBL player when they are free from a coach in the offseason, playing in their mid-week social comp team is getting that ball up 80% of the time it touches their hands. But there is a reason the great Dean Smith told Michael he couldn’t play if he couldn’t pass, as easy buckets is the name of the game (there is a reason that team won a NCAA Championship). Generally, the team who gets the most easy buckets has a good chance of getting the win. So boys when your coach tells you to swing that ball, it’s important you do so, and have the confidence in your team-mates that the ball will come back.

Article written by Troy Willis

The opinions, views and comments in this article are those of the individual and are not the opinions or views of the State Basketball League or Basketball WA.