Latest news with #assists
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"The greatest assists man ever to play in the game" - Eddie Johnson explains how John Stockton never overcomplicated his role
"The greatest assists man ever to play in the game" - Eddie Johnson explains how John Stockton never overcomplicated his role originally appeared on Basketball Network. In most cases, when a player begins leading the league in a statistical category or receives widespread praise for their style of play, they often tend to adopt more flair and charisma on the court. This can sometimes detract the players from their efficiency and overall impact. However, Eddie Johnson witnessed firsthand how John Stockton never strayed from his grounded, no-nonsense approach. Despite leading the NBA in assists for nearly a decade, 'Stock' remained composed, quiet, and, most importantly, consistent, ensuring that he transformed the Utah Jazz into a winning organization in the 1990s. Eddie Johnson held high praise for Jazz legend John Stockton Johnson had a legitimate chance of competing for a championship when he landed on the Houston Rockets midway through the 1996-97 regular season. The team even reached the Western Conference Finals, wherein they saw Hakeem Olajuwon register a series-high 27.2 points, Charles Barkley log a double-double average of 16.2 points and 11 rebounds, and Clyde Drexler register 17.8 points per game. Despite those herculean efforts, the Jazz prevailed in the championship round. The Jazz closed out the series in six games, courtesy of Stockton bringing out the best in himself and his teammates. Interestingly, it was not Karl Malone's 23.5 points and 11.5 rebounds that proved to be the difference maker in that series. But the fact that Stockton averaged 20.5 points and 10.3 assists and even brought the likes of Byron Russell and Jeff Hornacek better into the series gave. Put simply, for Eddie - the former Sixth Man of the Year - Stockton's ability to play his role to perfection and not prioritize showboating made him one of the most impactful players of that era. "The greatest assist man ever to play in the game. John was just - Boom! Boom! Right here, when you needed to catch it and knock it in, he was very simple. He simplified," Johnson said. "That's why Jerry Sloan grabbed Stockton out of Gonzaga. Nobody knew who Stockton was. They had a guy on that team - Rickey Green, who was a very good point guard at the time, and John Stockton eventually moved him out, and nobody saw that happen." John Stockton's legacy remains underappreciated Unlike Magic Johnson, whose flashy playmaking added showmanship to his game, Stockton prioritized consistency. His nine consecutive seasons leading the league in assists are a testament to his discipline and dedication. Moreover, for players from that era like Eddie, witnessing Stockton's impact up close only deepened his respect for the value the latter added to the Jazz organization. It's safe to say that had Stockton done more than leading Utah to five Conference Finals in seven years or to two back-to-back NBA Finals, perhaps leading them to a title, it would have changed his legacy forever. Unfortunately for him, as he couldn't attain that success, most in the modern era tend to forget the true level of dominance John Houston Stockton held in his story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Premier League most assists odds: Salah value to retain crown
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah offers excellent value as the joint favourite to retain the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award. Want to explore a vast array of online bookmakers? Check out the UK's best free bets and betting sites The Egyptian provided 18 assists last season to win the honour, while also landing the Golden Boot award for topping the scoring charts with 29 goals. Take a look below at the odds of the leading contenders to make the most assists in 2025-26 and read on for our analysis. Premier League most assists 2025-26 – latest odds Odds correct at the time of publishing and subject to change. Having a bet on the Premier League most assists market? Check out this offer from BOYLE Sports Already a BOYLE Sports member? Check out more bet365 and Paddy Power welcome offers. Premier League most assists 2025-26 – the contenders Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is joint favourite despite only recording 10 assists in 2024-25, eight fewer than Salah. However, those assists came in an injury-hit season in which Saka only played 25 times in the Premier League. With an average of 0.4 assists per match, we can surmise that he would have had 15 assists across 38 games. So it seems likely that Saka could challenge Salah if he played a full campaign, but that's a big 'if'. Last season, he made his lowest number of appearances for the Gunners since his debut season in 2018-19, and Noni Madueke has in part been signed to provide cover on the right of Arsenal's attack. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Salah won the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award at a canter in 2024-25, so it is a surprise that he is not leading the betting outright this season. It was the second time that the Egyptian had claimed this honour, having previously done so in 2021-22. An argument against him being able to retain his crown is that he will be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations in the winter and we also expect Salah's goals tally to fall. Liverpool's new attacking signings should mean the goals are spread around more, but Salah will still be an important creative force and you can get odds of 2/1 on him to record 15 assists or more. Premier League most assists odds @ 11/4 with BOYLE Sports Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) Another Liverpool player who is among the top contenders to gain the most assists is their new signing Florian Wirtz. The Germany midfielder recorded the second-highest number of assists in the Bundesliga last season with 12 for Bayer Leverkusen, only Bayern Munich's Michael Olise recording more. As talented as the 22-year-old is, his price is a little skinny considering that he has to adapt to a new league and a club where he will be just one of many creative outlets, rather than the main main. Premier League most assists odds @ 9/2 with BOYLE Sports Cole Palmer (Chelsea) Cole Palmer recorded nine assists in the Premier League last season, after producing 11 in 2023-24. The playmaker's output was poor in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, before rediscovering his form at the Club World Cup, having already been part of the Blues' Conference League victory. This cup success contrasts with uninspired league performances, so Palmer's odds are perhaps a little short. That said, Chelsea have invested in strikers this summer, so they should have more ability to finish off chances. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) Bruno Fernandes managed to provide 10 assists in the Premier League last season, despite playing in a Manchester United side who finished 16th. Only four clubs scored fewer goals than the Red Devils' paltry total of 44 in 2024-25 but, with the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo having signed for the club this summer, it seems a given that they will be a more potent force. Yet while that should logically increase Fernandes' chances of creating more assists, it is likely that he will play in a deeper midfield position, having often played further forward in his time at Old Trafford. Premier League most assists odds @ 9/1 with BOYLE Sports Most assists – the outsiders The players who recorded the second and third most assists last season are now playing for the same club and competing for the same position. Newcastle's right-winger Jacob Murphy provided 12 assists and is out at 100/1, partly because the Magpies have signed the 25/1 shot Anthony Elanga (11 assists) from Nottingham Forest. Three players who had 10 assists last season are worth your consideration. The pick is Morgan Rogers at 25/1, who looks likely to be the main attacking threat at Aston Villa. Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard is 50/1, but I'd be more confident in his chances if Thomas Frank had remained as manager of the Bees. Finally, Fulham's Antonee Robinson is available at 150/1, which is a superb price. No defender has won the Playmaker of the Season award before, but the American is certainly worth an each-way bet at those odds.
Arab News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Lionel Messi's 6th brace in 7 games seals Inter Miami's win over Red Bulls
Lionel Messi had two goals and two assists to lead Inter Miami to a bounce- back 5-1 victory over the host New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Candace Parker's assist record broken twice in one day by bizarre WNBA coincidence
Candace Parker, a WNBA legend who had long been a fixture near the top of the all-time assists leaderboard, saw her place on the list change dramatically in one remarkable night. Two rival guards moved past her in career assists, all within the span of a single game day. MORE:ESPN analyst says there's a star more deserving than Caitlin Clark to be face of the WNBA Advertisement New York Liberty's Natasha Cloud recorded four assists against the Atlanta Dream, pushing her career total to 1,638 assists, enough to leapfrog Parker. Meanwhile, Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins also notched four assists against the Washington Mystics in a coincidental twist, matching Cloud's 1,638 career assists. MORE:Kiki Iriafen sets Mystics record she could put out of reach for years Now, both Cloud and Diggins share eighth place on the WNBA's all-time assists list, pushing Parker down to tenth. A rare moment of rivalry and history, all happening on the same night.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hoffenheim edge closer towards Asllani contract extension
The 22-year-old striker spent last season on loan at Elversberg, where he registered a sensational 18 goals and eight assists as the club soared towards the promotion/relegation play-off. He also provided a goal and an assist in the eventual two-legged loss against Heidenheim. Advertisement Sky Sports report that a deal is almost done to extend the promising youngster's contract beyond 2026. After a disappointing 2024/25 term for Die Kreichgauer, Asllani could be set for a significant role in Sinsheim as the club looks to shake things up ahead of next term.
