Do assists mean anything?

When i first started playing less than a year ago, i heard assists are good. Its fine to have a high number assists, just have a low amount of deaths. However recently ive noticed no one counts assists when they flame or talk in any sort of ton about someone. So do assists actually mean anything? I understand they are good in game, but when it comes to about the player like if they have any kind of skill or anything people only account for kills and deaths. So does that mean the system is rigged against supports? (not counting kill lane supports like pyke, brand and ect)