Watch any amount of basketball on television or at the park, you’re likely to hear the slang term “dime.” Some people think a dime in basketball is another word for an assist, but it’s used to describe a special kind of assist.
Key Takeaways:
- A dime in basketball is a subjective way to describe an assist that’s particularly clever or tricky.
- While every dime is an assist, not every assist is considered a dime.
- A dime is about making a smart, often inventive pass to a teammate.
While assists are a fundamental part of basketball, dimes are a step up. A player not only passes the ball, but does it in a way that’s smart, precise, and often quite creative. This adds some flash to the game and makes it easier for their teammates to score.
Here, we’re going to get into what exactly a dime is, how it came to be called that, and talk about some of the best players who are good at making these kinds of passes, both now and in the past.
Defining the Dime: More Than an Assist
A dime isn’t any regular pass in basketball. It’s a special kind of assist that stands out because of how it’s done. Imagine a pass that not only gets the ball to another player but does so in a way that’s super clever, or in a tough situation. That’s a dime.
When a player makes a dime, they’re not just making an assist in basketball; they’re setting up their teammate in a way that gives their team a big offensive advantage, in a jaw-dropping way that makes the game more exciting.
What Makes an Assist a ‘Dime’ in Basketball?
Not all assists are dimes.
So, what makes a pass a dime in basketball? Here are a few things to look for:
- Precision and Accuracy: The pass has to be right on target, making it easy for the receiving player to score.
- Timing: It’s all about the right moment. A great dime delivers the ball at the perfect time for a teammate to shoot.
- Creativity and Flair: A dime involves a bit of showmanship – a behind-the-back pass, or a no-look pass, for example.
Types of Dime Passes
Any creative and precise assist could be described as a dime in basketball. It could be a chest pass, a bounce pass, a wraparound pass, or one of these four common types of dimes you’ll see:
- No-Look Pass: This is when a player looks in one direction but passes in another. It tricks the defenders and creates a surprise scoring opportunity.
- Behind-the-Back Pass: This is when the passer whips the ball around their back to initiate the pass, keeping the ball further from the defense.
- Thread-the-Needle Pass: A thread-the-needle pass goes through a crowded area of players, finding a tiny gap to reach a teammate. It’s like threading a needle with the ball.
- Alley-Oop: This is a high pass leading to a dunk. The player throwing the alley-oop sets it up so their teammate can jump, catch the ball in mid-air, and dunk it, all before landing.
Tracing the Origins: The History Behind Calling an Assist a ‘Dime’
Ever wondered why a special kind of assist is called a ‘dime’ in basketball? There are a few different origin theories of the term.
Making a Payphone Call
One popular theory is that it comes from the old days of payphones. Back then, making a phone call cost a dime, which was ten cents. In basketball, the idea is similar. Like dropping a dime into a payphone to connect a call, a player ‘drops a dime’ to make that perfect connection with a teammate for a score.
Pass So Accurate, It Could Hit a Dime
Another theory suggests it’s about the accuracy of the pass. In this sense, a dime in basketball is so accurate that it could hit a dime, at 0.705 inches in diameter.
A 10 Score
There’s also a thought that it’s about the number ten. In slang, ‘dime’ can mean something perfect, like a ten out of ten. So, a ‘dime’ pass in basketball could be seen as a perfect pass.
While the true origin might be a bit unclear, one thing is for sure: the term ‘dime’ has become a common way of describing a creative, effective basketball assist.
The Art of Dropping a Dime: Skills and Techniques
To excel in making those standout dime passes in basketball, players need to focus on a few important basketball skills:
- Court Vision: Players with this skill can spot where their teammates are and where they’re headed. They can quickly figure out the best spots to pass the ball for a great play.
- Precise Passing: Making a dime means passing the ball just right. The aim is to send the ball to the exact spot where a teammate can easily catch it and make the shot.
- Disguise Passing Intentions: The best at dimes know how to keep their plans a secret. They’re good at not showing where they’re going to pass. They might look one way and pass another, or position their body so it doesn’t give away their next move.
- Passion for Team Play: Players who dominate at dimes are often unselfish about their own scoring opportunities. Instead, they’re excited about setting up others to score.
Legendary Dime Droppers in NBA History
The NBA has seen some amazing players who are masters at dropping dimes. Let’s look at a few of them:
- Steve Nash: Known for his incredible vision and precise passing, Nash made dimes look easy. He could find teammates in the most crowded situations and deliver perfect passes.
- Magic Johnson: Magic was a wizard with the ball. His passes were not just effective but also entertaining. He had a knack for seeing plays before they happened, making him one of the best at dropping dimes ever.
- Russell Westbrook: Westbrook brings energy and speed to his playmaking. As a leader in the triple-double, he’s known for his quick decisions and ability to make challenging passes that lead to scores.
- Chris Paul: Even as one of the shortest NBA players, Paul is a dominating player and one of the highest assists leader in league history. His dimes are smart and well-timed, often catching defenses off guard.
- Luka Doncic: A newer star, Doncic has quickly become known for his ability to read the game and make precise passes.
Recognizing Dime Droppers in the WNBA
The WNBA has its own set of current and former great players who excel in dropping dimes. Here’s a look at some of them:
- Ticha Penichiero: Penichiero is who most fans will answer when asked their thoughts on the best passer in WNBA history. She’s celebrated for her many assists, but it is also her showmanship that brought excitement to every game she played. Her court vision and ability to make unexpected passes set her apart as one of the best playmakers ever.
- Chelsea Gray: Known for her clutch plays, Gray is a point guard with a knack for delivering precise, no-look passes in critical moments. Her ability to read the court makes her the standout dime-dropper in today’s league.
- Sue Bird: Bird’s playmaking skills changed her team’s outlook in countless games. The WNBA’s all-time assists leader had a unique combination of intelligence and precision in her passing, which allowed her to consistently set up teammates for successful shots.
- Courtney Vandersloot: Vandersloot controls the game’s tempo and delivers spot-on passes. She’s one of the oldest WNBA players, and her awareness and decision-making from many years of experience are top-notch.
- Lindsay Whalen: Whalen’s play was defined by her smart and effective passing. She had a great sense of where her teammates were and how to get the ball to them at the right time.
- Becky Hammon: You’ve seen Hammon’s leadership skills as coach of the Las Vegas Aces and in the best Becky Hammon quotes. She brought that same energy and game strategy as a player. Despite being smaller than most other players, she brought exciting playmaking and passing skills to create scoring opportunities for her teammates.
- Cappie Pondexter: Pondexter is among the leaders on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, but her passing skills were as brilliant. She often caught defenses off guard, making her a critical playmaker on the court.
FAQs
What is a dime pass?
A dime pass in basketball is a special kind of assist that’s clever or tricky. This kind of pass makes it super easy for the teammate to catch the ball and score.
Why do they call it a dime in basketball?
The term ‘dime’ in basketball likely comes from an old saying. In the past, making a phone call in a phone booth cost a dime, which is ten cents. Like putting a dime in the phone to connect a call, in basketball, a dime pass connects the ball to a teammate.
Why do they call it dropping a dime?
‘Dropping a dime’ in basketball refers to a player ‘dropping’ the ball (through the pass) right where it needs to be for a teammate to score easily, similar to how you’d drop a dime into a payphone slot for a phone call.
What qualifies as a dime pass in basketball?
While subjective, a pass qualifies as a dime when it’s not only accurate but also creative or done in a tough situation. It’s the kind of pass that catches the defense off guard and makes it easy for the receiver to score.
Thanks for this great breakdown, and for the site!
I appreciate the kind words and glad you found it helpful. Thanks for stopping by, Jessica!