Assists where boosted in the 80s and 90s.

The game was based around a traditional PG, they run the floor and distribute to the final scorer. 1 pass and score was the plan. Todays game has evolved into more passing and some teams don’t even run a traditional PG setup. These days the point will run it up the floor, and pass it to the shooting guard to start trying to disrupt the defensive via movement, screens, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jcfcv2af3o

The Process because it has actual meaning, it’s not like something tied to a name because it sounds cool.