I remember watching the 2020 NBA season with particular fascination, especially when it came to the assist leaders that year. There's something magical about watching a true floor general orchestrate an offense, and 2020 gave us some absolutely spectacular performances in this department. While basketball and volleyball might seem like completely different sports, I've always found interesting parallels between how playmakers operate across different court sports. Just like how Italy's volleyball team demonstrated incredible teamwork and strategic passing in their five-set victory against Ukraine during the VNL earlier this year, NBA assist leaders showed similar qualities in reading defenses and creating opportunities for their teammates.
The undisputed king of assists in 2020 was LeBron James, who averaged 10.2 assists per game while leading the Lakers to the championship. Watching LeBron that season felt like witnessing a master class in court vision - he wasn't just passing the ball, he was literally controlling the game's tempo and flow. I've always been partial to players who make their teammates better, and LeBron exemplified this throughout that remarkable season. Right behind him was Trae Young with 9.3 assists per game, though I must admit I found his style sometimes too flashy for my taste. The Hawks' offense revolved entirely around his playmaking, and while the numbers were impressive, there were moments when his decision-making could have been better in crucial situations.
What many casual fans might not realize is how much these assist numbers reflect team systems rather than individual brilliance alone. The third-place finisher, Luka Dončić, averaged 8.8 assists while essentially running Dallas's entire offense. Having watched numerous Mavericks games that season, I was consistently amazed by how Dončić manipulated defenses with his pace and precision passing. Meanwhile, players like Ben Simmons (7.9 assists) and Chris Paul (7.6 assists) demonstrated different approaches to playmaking - Simmons with his explosive drives and Paul with his methodical, almost surgical dissection of defenses. I've always had a soft spot for traditional point guards like Paul, who prioritize efficiency and control over flashy highlights.
The 2020 season was particularly interesting because we saw both established veterans and rising stars among the assist leaders. Ricky Rubio, though not in the top five, provided 8.8 assists per game for the Suns and demonstrated that classic pass-first point guard mentality that I personally love to watch. On the younger side, Ja Morant's 7.3 assists per game signaled the arrival of another special playmaker. Watching these players develop their court vision throughout the season reminded me of how team sports evolve - much like how Ukraine's volleyball team pushed Italy to their limits before ultimately falling short, we saw younger NBA teams challenging established powers through improved ball movement and playmaking.
What struck me most about the 2020 assist leaders was how their performances translated to team success. LeBron's Lakers won the championship, Chris Paul's Thunder exceeded expectations, and even Trae Young's Hawks showed promising development. The correlation between elite playmaking and team success has always fascinated me, and 2020 provided compelling evidence supporting this connection. The top eight assist leaders that season all led teams that either made the playoffs or were in serious contention until the bubble's unusual circumstances.
Looking back, I believe 2020 represented a transitional period in NBA playmaking. We had veterans like LeBron and CP3 still dominating while the next generation of Dončić, Young, and Morant began establishing themselves. The average assists per game for leaders seemed slightly elevated compared to previous seasons, possibly due to the increased pace and emphasis on three-point shooting creating more assist opportunities. Personally, I miss the days when pure point guards dominated these leaderboards, but I can't deny the excitement that these modern hybrid playmakers bring to the game.
The beauty of basketball, much like volleyball, lies in these moments of brilliant teamwork and selfless play. Just as Italy's volleyball victory over Ukraine required precise setting and strategic distribution, NBA assist leaders demonstrate that individual brilliance often shines brightest when it elevates those around them. As we move forward, I'm curious to see how these playmaking trends evolve and whether we'll see a return to more traditional point guard play or continue toward positionless basketball where every player becomes a potential playmaker. Whatever direction the game takes, the art of the assist will remain one of basketball's most beautiful and essential elements.