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It's a delightful sight to see NBA players play with high energy. From the 2016-17 season, the league has awarded players who shows exceptional 'hustle' in their game, with an NBA Hustle Award.
The recipient of the award is determined on various hustle stats a player racks up during a season. To win the award, the player should play at least 70% of the team's games and 24 minutes per contest. The NBA considers the per-minute hustle stats of each player. Thaddeus Young, who played for the Chicago Bulls last season, won the award for the 2020-21 campaign.
The assessment of the hustle leaders that made it to this list is largely based on the overall hustle stats as per NBA.com. The top five players in the article may not exactly be the same five shortlisted by the NBA for the Hustle Award 2021, though.
So without any further ado, let's take a look at the top hustle leaders during the 2020-21 NBA season.
#5 Jae'Sean Tate
Jae'Sean Tate is coming off a terrific rookie year. The 25-year-old forward was one of the most consistent players for the Houston Rockets last season. He played 70 games, scoring 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Tate was tremendous at the defensive end.
He led the NBA in the most defensive loose balls recovered (53) and ranked sixth in overall loose balls recovered (73). Tate had 151 deflections and drew 14 charges, which was tenth-best in the league. He had a total of 462 contested shots, a remarkable number considering he plays at the 3.
Tate also made the All-Rookie first team owing to his fabulous NBA season.
#4 Draymond Green
Draymond Green, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year, is next on the list. The Golden State Warriors star has a very high basketball IQ.
He is a leader in every sense, and leads by example. Green isn't a beast when it comes to scoring, but there are very few who can match his intensity at the defensive end.
He can guard players 1 through 5 and create problems for the best offensive player in opponent teams. He averaged seven points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per contest. Green had to play as a center for most of the season, and fared well.
Green tallied 487 screen assist points, 181 deflections, recovered 46 loose balls and contested a whopping 629 shots last season.
#3 Julius Randle
Julius Randle was terrific for the New York Knicks during the NBA regular season as their main man. He also won the Most Improved Player award for his tremendous showing.
Randle improved in multiple areas of his game. He averaged a career-high 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, six assists and 0.9 steals per contest.
He worked on his fitness in the offseason before the start of the 2020-21 campaign. That helped him perform efficiently at both ends of the floor. The Knicks forward recovered 75 loose balls, contested 538 shots, made 94 deflections and had 393 screen-assist points too.
#2 Jrue Holiday
The Milwaukee Bucks had to give up a lot to get Jrue Holiday on their roster last season.
That turned out to be a great decision, as the Bucks eventually won the NBA championship, with Holiday playing a key role in their success. His high intensity at both ends of the floor helped the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton play more freely.
Holiday is one of the toughest defenders in the NBA. Even the best offensive players do not like going up against him. Holiday averaged 17.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest.
As far as some of his notable hustle stats are concerned, Holiday ranked first in the league in loose balls recovered per game (1.3), tallying 74 in total. He had 187 deflections, the eighth-most among players in the league. He also contested 392 shots, an impressive stat, considering he plays as a point guard.
#1 Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons did not end his 2020-21 NBA season on a high note. His struggles at the offensive end, mainly with his shooting, was a key reason behind the Philadelphia 76ers' exit from the playoffs.
Nonetheless, it's important to give him credit for the work he put in at the defensive end. He was key in the Philadelphia 76ers finishing as the top seed in the East last NBA season.
Simmons is one of the few players in the NBA who can guard players 1 through 5. He has taken up some of the toughest assignments in defense, game in and game out. He averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
He tallied 202 deflections, 227 screen assist points and contested 270 shots. He also recovered 63 loose balls, 34 in offense and 29 in defense. These totals aren't as high compared to other players. But in terms of the impact they had on the team's performance, they are right up there with the very best.
