Giannis Antetokounmpo was sui generis. LeBron James and Luka Doncic were position-less basketball polymaths. Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis moved to Los Angeles — but to different teams. Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook traded teams. Paul won the deal. Jimmy Butler took his talents to South Beach. Zion Williamson made his debut. Vince Carter played his final — and record 22nd — season. Michael Jordan took everything personal in The Last Dance.
The league also lost David Stern, Kobe Bryant, Jerry Sloan and many games to the COVID-19 pandemic.
My 2019-20 season in review, with awards and All-NBA teams, and all statistics through March 11:
TEAMS
Best record | Milwaukee Bucks, 53-12, a 67-win pace
Worst record | Golden State Warriors, 15-50, a 63-loss pace
Best offense | Dallas Mavericks, the best offense of all time
Best defense | Milwaukee Bucks
Fastest pace | Milwaukee Bucks
Slowest pace | Charlotte Hornets
AWARDS
MVP | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Best offensive player | James Harden, Rockets
Best defensive player | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Most clutch player | Chris Paul, Thunder
Coach of the Year | Nick Nurse, Raptors
Rookie of the Year | Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Sixth Man of the Year | Montrezl Harrell, Clippers
ALL-NBA
First team
Forward | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Forward | Anthony Davis, Lakers
Point center | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Guard | LeBron James, Lakers
Guard | James Harden, Rockets
Second team
Forward | Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Forward | Jimmy Butler, Heat
Center | Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Guard | Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Guard | Chris Paul, Thunder
Third team
Forward | Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Forward | Khris Middleton, Bucks
Center | Bam Adebayo, Heat
Guard | Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Guard | Kyle Lowry, Raptors
Honorable mention
Center | Domantas Sabonis, Pacers
Forward | Pascal Siakam, Raptors
Guard | Ben Simmons, 76ers
ALL-DEFENSE
First team
Forward | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Forward | Anthony Davis, Lakers
Center | Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Guard | Ben Simmons, 76ers
Guard | Kris Dunn, Bulls
Second team
Forward | Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Forward | LeBron James, Lakers
Center | Brook Lopez, Bucks
Guard | Marcus Smart, Celtics
Guard | Patrick Beverley, Clippers
LEADERS
Real Plus-Minus | Giannis Antetokounmpo, 10.5
Box Plus-Minus | Giannis Antetokounmpo, 11.7
Win shares | James Harden, 11.5
Player efficiency rating | Giannis Antetokounmpo, 31.8, currently chasing Wilt Chamberlain’s single-season record
Scoring | James Harden, 34.6
Rebounding | Andre Drummond, 15.2
Assists | LeBron James, 10.5
Field goal percentage | Mitchell Robinson, .742, who beat Wilt Chamberlain’s single-season record
3-point percentage | George Hill, .474
Free throw shooting | Devin Booker, .916
Steals | Ben Simmons, 2.1
Blocks | Hassan Whiteside, 3.0
SUPERLATIVES
Best shooter | J.J. Redick, Pelicans
Best backcourt | James Harden and Russell Westbrook, Rockets
Best frontcourt | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, Bucks
Iron men | James Harden, Devin Booker
Tallest player | Tacko Fall, 7-5
Shortest player | Isaiah Thomas, 5-9
Best young player | Luka Doncic, 20 years old
Best old player | LeBron James, 35 years old
Debut | Zion Williamson
Farewell | Vince Carter
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