Who Were the Top NBA Assist Leaders in the 2020 Season?
I remember sitting courtside during the 2020 NBA season, feeling the electric energy as LeBron James threaded another impossible pass through three defenders. That season, while the world faced unprecedented challenges, basketball gave us something to marvel at - particularly the artistry of playmaking. The assist leaders that year weren't just stat-padders; they were architects of beautiful basketball, much like how Ukraine's volleyball team orchestrated their game against Italy in that thrilling VNL match earlier this year. Both scenarios showcased how strategic ball movement can transform a contest, turning what might seem like an uneven matchup into a compelling narrative.
When we talk about the 2020 NBA assist leaders, we're discussing masters of court vision who could dissect defenses with surgical precision. LeBron James led the pack with 10.2 assists per game, a remarkable feat considering he was in his 17th season. Watching him quarterback the Lakers' offense felt like witnessing a grandmaster at work - every pass seemed to anticipate movements three steps ahead. I've always believed that true playmaking isn't about flashy passes but about understanding spacing and timing, something LeBron demonstrated night after night. His connection with Anthony Davis became the stuff of legends, reminiscent of how Ukraine's setters found their hitters against Italy's formidable block in that five-set thriller.
Trae Young followed closely with 9.3 assists per game, his daring court vision reminding me of those bold setter decisions in volleyball where players risk everything for the perfect play. What impressed me most about Young was his ability to maintain creativity under pressure - whether throwing lobs to John Collins or finding shooters in transition, he played with a fearlessness that's rare in second-year players. The Hawks might not have had their breakthrough season yet, but watching Young orchestrate their offense gave us glimpses of future greatness. His chemistry with Clint Capela developing throughout the season reminded me of how Ukraine's middle blockers gradually synchronized with their setters against Italy, turning what began as tentative connections into explosive combinations.
Then there was Luka Dončić, who averaged 8.7 assists while simultaneously carrying the Mavericks' scoring load. I've always been fascinated by players who can balance scoring and playmaking, and Luka made it look effortless. His partnership with Kristaps Porziņģis evolved throughout the season, much like how Ukraine adjusted their attacking strategies mid-match against Italy. What stood out to me was Luka's use of pace - he'd lull defenders to sleep before firing bullet passes to open shooters. The way he manipulated defenses reminded me of how veteran setters vary their tempo to keep blockers guessing.
The 2020 season also saw veterans like Chris Paul (6.7 assists) and Kyle Lowry (7.5 assists) demonstrating that playmaking isn't just about physical gifts but basketball IQ. Watching Paul mentor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City was a masterclass in leadership, similar to how experienced players guide younger teammates through tense international matches. Paul's ability to control games without dominating the ball taught me valuable lessons about efficient playmaking. Meanwhile, Ben Simmons' 8.0 assists showcased how a non-shooter could still dominate offensively through elite passing and transition play.
What struck me most about that season's assist leaders was their diversity in style. While LeBron used his strength and vision, Trae relied on speed and audacity, and Luka employed methodical control. This variety mirrors what we see in international volleyball - different setters bringing unique approaches to the same fundamental task of creating opportunities. The Ukraine-Italy match demonstrated this beautifully, with both teams employing distinct offensive philosophies while chasing the same objective.
The COVID-19 interruption created unique circumstances that actually highlighted these playmakers' adaptability. When the season resumed in the bubble, we saw players like LeBron and Chris Paul elevate their playmaking to new levels, proving that true leaders thrive under pressure. Their performance during those unusual conditions reminded me of how Ukraine pushed Italy to the limit in their VNL encounter, showing that challenging circumstances often bring out the best in competitors.
Reflecting on that season's assist leaders, I'm struck by how their achievements transcended statistics. They weren't just accumulating numbers - they were shaping games, elevating teammates, and creating moments that basketball fans will remember for years. The connection between their court leadership and what we witnessed in that Ukraine-Italy volleyball clash lies in the universal language of team sports: the beautiful synergy that occurs when players understand each other perfectly and execute with precision under pressure. Both scenarios prove that while individual brilliance catches the eye, it's the creation of opportunities for others that often determines team success.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
