Jazz Passing – Utah Jazz Assist Numbers Over 35 NBA Basketball Seasons

Utah Jazz Assists Per Game vs. NBA League Average (1989-90 to 2023-24)

Over the past 35 years, the Utah Jazz have been known for a team-oriented style of play, particularly during the John Stockton and Karl Malone era (late 1980s to early 2000s), which emphasized ball movement and assist-heavy offenses. Stockton, the NBA’s all-time leader in assists, was a cornerstone of this approach, often leading the league in assists per game during his tenure.

• 1989-90 to 2002-03 (Stockton Era): During Stockton’s prime, the Jazz consistently posted assist numbers well above the league average. For example, in the 1989-90 season, the Jazz averaged 28.6 assists per game (APG) while the league average was around 24.5 APG. Stockton alone averaged 14.5 APG that year, the highest single-season mark in NBA history. Throughout the 1990s, the Jazz frequently exceeded 25-27 APG, often 3-5 assists above the league average, which hovered between 22-24 APG during that decade. The 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons, when the Jazz reached the NBA Finals, saw them average around 26-27 APG against a league average of roughly 23 APG.

• 2003-04 to 2010-11 (Post-Stockton, Jerry Sloan Era): After Stockton retired in 2003, the Jazz’s assist numbers dropped but remained competitive under coach Jerry Sloan’s system. Deron Williams emerged as a key playmaker, and the team averaged around 23-25 APG in seasons like 2007-08 (25.6 APG) and 2009-10 (26.7 APG), compared to league averages of 21-22 APG. This kept them above the norm, though not as dominant as the Stockton years.

• 2011-12 to 2023-24 (Modern Era): The post-Sloan era saw fluctuations. The Jazz struggled in the early 2010s, with assist totals dipping to around 20-22 APG (e.g., 20.3 APG in 2014-15), aligning closer to or slightly below the league average (around 21-22 APG). However, under Quin Snyder (2014-2022), with players like Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell, they rebounded. In 2018-19, they averaged 26.0 APG (league average ~24 APG). The 2022-23 season, with a rebuilt roster, saw them at 26.0 APG against a league average of 25.0 APG, reflecting the NBA’s modern pace-and-space trend boosting overall assist numbers.

• 35-Year Trend: On average, the Jazz likely maintained an assists-per-game figure of around 24-25 APG over the 35 years, compared to a league average of approximately 22-23 APG. This edge is driven by their peak Stockton years, though it tapered off in leaner periods. The league average has crept up in recent years (e.g., 25.0 APG in 2022-23) due to increased three-point shooting and faster pace, narrowing the Jazz’s historical advantage.

Below is the table covering the 35 seasons from 1989-90 to 2023-24. Exact numbers are provided where I have confirmed stats, and estimates (marked with “~”) are used where data is inferred from patterns (e.g., Stockton’s consistent assist leadership, league trends). The number of teams varies (27 in 1989-90, 29 by 1995-96, 30 from 2004-05 onward), affecting rankings.