The NBA had no shortage of memorable moments in 2020, both on and off the floor. It's why this post is dedicated to the 10 best NBA moments of 2020.
All 30 organizations navigated a global pandemic, with players and coaches also leading the charge for social justice and equality. It was a year like any other in The Association, one that will forever go down in the annals of NBA history.
Here is a closer look at the 10 best NBA moments of 2020.
10. Melo Returns
Carmelo Anthony spent quite a bit of time away from the NBA after he was released by the Houston Rockets early in the 2108-19 season. There was even speculation as to whether he was desirable enough to play in the league again.
But Melo would indeed return. The Portland Trail Blazers–with a decimated frontcourt–inked Anthony to a non-guaranteed contract.
The former scoring champion proved he did indeed belong in the NBA, giving Portland a vital third scoring option and earning another contract for the 2020-21 season. Technically, Carmelo signed in November of 2019. But his play and impact on the Trail Blazers' culture had greater impact over the course of the next 12 months.
Perhaps Anthony will have his moment in the sun after all.
9. NBA Rookie star power
There was no shortage of excellent rookie performances throughout the 2019-20 season.
Ja Morant's brilliance helped the Memphis Grizzlies to within a play-in game victory of a surprising playoff berth, and the No. 2 overall pick captured Rookie of the Year honors in the process.
Zion Williamson missed multiple months due to a meniscus injury, but his play upon return was prolific enough to spark some debate as to who should win ROY.
Meanwhile, Miami Heat rookie guard Tyler Herro exploded onto the scene as a future star in the NBA “bubble,” dazzling fans with heroic late-game shots and explosive scoring performances.
8. Chris Paul leading OKC to the playoffs
A couple “Banana Boat” members make early appearances on the list.
The Russell Westbrook-Chris Paul blockbuster was one of the most notable moves of the 2019 offseason, with Oklahoma City Thunder Sam Presti beginning his rampage of acquiring future draft considerations.
It had initially been expected the Thunder might try to flip Paul. Instead, the “Point God” declared he wanted to remain in OKC, improbably leading a young Thunder team to the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
Questions about health and explosiveness followed Paul in his second year with the Houston Rockets, but the future Hall of Famer established himself as a leader and playmaker in crunch time, eventually earning Second Team All-NBA honors and nearly leading OKC to a series victory.
7. Dame goes nuclear in NBA Bubble
Damian Lillard carried an injury-riddled Portland team throughout the 2019-20 season. It was only just he complete the job and lead the Trail Blazers to the playoffs in the bubble.
Lillard put on a show in Orlando, especially in the final three seeding games. The former Rookie of the Year averaged an astonishing 51 points in those contests (all Portland wins), including a 61-point outburst against the Dallas Mavericks that birthed the “Put some respect on my f***ing name” meme.
Dame kept fans glued to their TV screens with long range triples and clutch antics, and his utterly astounding scoring displays helped Portland make the playoffs.
6. Luka Doncic for the win
Doncic's ascent to the top of the NBA in just his second season was a spectacle itself. But his game-winner in Game 4 of the Dallas Mavericks' first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers was something else entirely.
Luka had suffered a sprained ankle in a Game 3 loss. With Doncic ailing and no Kristaps Porzingis in Game 4, the Mavs seemed destined to go down 3-1 in the series. But Doncic put together an astounding performance, putting up a 40-point triple-double and out dueling Clippers star Kawhi Leonard in a wild back-and-forth affair.
The Slovenian star capped off the performance with a mesmerizing step-back jumper to beat the buzzer and even the series.
You know you have done something special when you get two “Bang!” calls from Mike Breen.
5. Giannis signs the supermax
For those who feel this moment does not belong on the list, take this walk with me.
Giannis Antetokounmpo would have had endless options this summer. Teams like the Mavericks and Miami Heat–aside from the Bam Adebayo extension–spent the bare minimum with the notion they would pursue the “Greek Freak” in free agency.
So, for Giannis to remain in Milwaukee with a smaller-market franchise is a tremendous sign for the league and the workings of the current CBA. It should empower and incentivize other small-market teams to pay their stars and build teams around them, which–in the long run–is good for the game.
Whether Antetokounmpo can lead the Bucks to a title is another question. But the decision itself feels significant.
4. Los Angeles memorializes Kobe Bryant
January 26, 2020 was one of the saddest days in NBA history.
Fans and league personnel alike were stunned to learn of the death of Kobe Bryant as well as his daughter, Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash outside of Calabasas. This was one of the standard bearers of the league, a man who seamlessly transitioned to fatherhood and being a “Girl Dad.” Now, he was gone.
But there was beauty that came out of the tragedy. Lakers fans created an impromptu memorial for Bryant outside the Staples Center in a wonderfully touching tribute to the “Black Mamba.”
The homages served as reminders that Kobe was a global icon who served as an inspiration to so many. Gone, yes. But forgotten? Never.
3. Nuggets overcome a pair of 3-1 deficits
The Denver Nuggets made history in the 2020 playoffs by becoming the first franchise to overcome two separate 3-1 deficits in the same postseason.
From Jamal Murray's scoring duel with Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell to Nikola Jokic's thorough dominance of the Clippers, the Nuggets triumphed in the face of adversity and launched multiple fourth-quarter comebacks.
Denver's run is equally notable because of the sheer culture shock it provided, particularly after defeating the Clippers. Not only was L.A. the subject of tremendous Internet backlash, but the Clippers also had to respond to internal turmoil and–eventually–make a head coaching change.
Needless to say, the Nuggets' comebacks were immensely consequential.
2. Bucks boycott
There will be those undoubtedly turned off by the seemingly political angle of this selection.
However, Milwaukee's decision to boycott Game 5 of its first-round series against the Orlando Magic following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin sent a clear message in terms of the players putting action behind words.
As previously mentioned, NBA players, coaches and executives joined common citizens in protests following the death of George Floyd in May. One of the stipulations of the “bubble” was players maintaining the focus on social justice initiatives.
When Blake became the latest unarmed Black man victimized by police violence, the Bucks decided to act. Teams scheduled to participate in playoff games later that day also boycotted, and the NBA eventually suspended postseason player. Other sporting leagues joined the NBA in boycotts and the call for heightened action and awareness regarding racial issues.
On the one hand, the Bucks' decision left the rest of the players scrambling. There were questions as to whether the season would be canceled.
Ultimately, however, it was a strong showing of solidarity that has also led to coalition building and a greater league-wide focus on empowering Black communities.
There are things far bigger than sports. It also matters when actions back up words. Yes, there are those who will counter by citing the NBA's relationship with China, which is important to acknowledge.
But the boycott was a meaningful step in athletes taking on greater social responsibility and using their platforms to spark conversations and promote change.
1. Lakers win title No. 17 for “Bean”
It was only fitting LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers honored Bryant's legacy with a championship.
Kobe's death resonated worldwide, but especially with the Lakers franchise he called home for over 20 years. James and Co. promised to win a title for “Bean,” and they delivered on that promise.
Think about all the things L.A. had to overcome to reach the summit: a four-month hiatus due to the pandemic, isolation in the bubble and both mental and physical fatigue of being in Orlando for nearly three months.
Yet, the Lakers never looked very fallible. They dismissed a pair of Game 1 losses in the first round and conference semifinals, respectively. The Nuggets could never really get into the series, and L.A. also fought off a resilient Heat team battling through injuries.
It was an important championship for the franchise and for James and Anthony Davis' respective legacies. But it was all the more special because it was accomplished with Bryant in mind.
Follow Us
Subscribe