Top 5 hustle leaders in the 2020-21 NBA season 

#3 Julius Randle

Julius Randle guards Anthony Davis during an NBA game.

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.

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#2 Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday attempts to block a pass from Goran Dragic.

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.

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#1 Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons fights to keep possession against Terry Rozier during an NBA game.

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.