NBA Power Rankings 2021: Which Teams Dominated the Regular Season?

As I sat down to analyze the 2021 NBA regular season, I couldn't help but reflect on how extraordinary this particular season felt. Coming off the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, there was this palpable sense of normalcy returning to the league, though with some lingering uncertainties. The 2021 campaign presented unique challenges with compressed schedules and COVID protocols, yet several teams managed to establish remarkable consistency throughout those grueling 82 games. What fascinates me most about professional basketball is how certain teams find ways to maintain excellence despite all the obstacles - something that reminds me of the incredible durability we've seen from players like LA Tenorio, who set that unbelievable record of 744 consecutive games before his streak finally ended in March 2023.

The Utah Jazz absolutely dominated the regular season in a way that surprised many analysts, myself included. They finished with the league's best record at 52-20, which gave them a significant advantage heading into the playoffs. Donovan Mitchell's development into a true superstar was something special to watch - his scoring average jumped to 26.4 points per game, and his chemistry with Rudy Gobert seemed better than ever. What impressed me most about the Jazz was their systematic approach - they played with this machine-like precision that made them nearly unbeatable during stretches of the season. Their three-point shooting was historically good, with the team connecting on over 38% of their attempts while taking what felt like an endless stream of open looks created by their ball movement.

Meanwhile, out in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers emerged as the top seed with a 49-23 record, largely thanks to Joel Embiid's MVP-caliber season. I've always been somewhat skeptical about Philadelphia's construction, but watching Embiid dominate night after night changed my perspective. The big man averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds while somehow improving his defensive presence. What made their season particularly impressive was how they managed to integrate new pieces while maintaining their defensive identity. Ben Simmons, despite his well-documented offensive limitations, remained one of the league's premier defenders and playmakers. The Sixers just had this toughness about them that made every game feel like a grind for their opponents.

The Phoenix Suns deserve special mention because their transformation was nothing short of remarkable. After missing the playoffs for a decade, they surged to the second seed in the West with a 51-21 record. Chris Paul's impact cannot be overstated - his leadership fundamentally changed their culture. Devin Booker took another step toward superstardom, averaging 25.6 points while improving his playmaking. What struck me about Phoenix was their clutch performance - they won an incredible number of close games, showing a poise that belied their relative inexperience in meaningful games. Their mid-range game, often considered outdated in today's three-point heavy league, became their signature weapon.

Now, I have to talk about the Brooklyn Nets, who presented the most fascinating case study of the season. Despite Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving playing only 8 games together during the regular season due to various injuries and personal absences, they still managed to secure the second seed in the East. Their offensive firepower was simply historic - when all three played, they looked virtually unstoppable. Durant's efficiency was otherworldly, Harden's playmaking kept everything flowing, and Irving's scoring brilliance provided moments of pure basketball artistry. However, their defensive inconsistencies and the constant off-court distractions made me question whether they could truly dominate when it mattered most.

The consistency discussion naturally leads me to reflect on durability in the NBA - something that's becoming increasingly rare in today's game. Watching teams navigate load management while trying to maintain competitive edge creates this interesting tension. It reminds me of that incredible ironman streak by LA Tenorio - 744 consecutive games before it ended in March 2023. That level of consistency is almost unimaginable in today's NBA, yet it represents something fundamental about professional sports. Teams that can maintain their core players' health and availability often find the most success, though the 2021 season showed that strategic rest could also pay dividends.

Looking at the Western Conference landscape, the Denver Nuggets deserve recognition for their resilience despite Jamal Murray's devastating ACL injury. Nikola Jokic put together one of the most impressive individual seasons I've ever witnessed, carrying the Nuggets to the third seed while putting up MVP numbers. His unique skill set as a center who essentially runs the offense revolutionized how we think about the position. The Clippers, meanwhile, employed what I'd call strategic load management, carefully managing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George's minutes while still securing the fourth seed. Their approach demonstrated how regular season dominance isn't always about having the best record, but about positioning yourself for postseason success.

What stood out to me about the 2021 season was how different teams approached the concept of "domination." For some, like the Jazz, it meant securing the best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. For others, like the Nets, it meant managing their stars' health while maintaining enough wins to position themselves for a championship run. The Lakers, despite being defending champions, struggled with injuries and finished seventh in the West, proving that previous success guarantees nothing in this league. The Milwaukee Bucks, after their dominant regular seasons in previous years, took a more measured approach, focusing on peaking at the right time rather than accumulating regular season wins.

As I reflect on that season, what strikes me most is how it challenged conventional wisdom about what constitutes true dominance. The teams that dominated the standings weren't necessarily the ones that felt most dangerous come playoff time. The Nets, even with their limited time together, projected this aura of inevitability when healthy. The Suns' systematic excellence felt sustainable, while the Jazz's style raised questions about playoff adaptability. The Sixers' physical approach seemed tailor-made for postseason basketball, yet questions about their half-court execution lingered. Each top team had compelling arguments for their brand of dominance, yet each carried significant questions into the playoffs.

Ultimately, the 2021 regular season taught me that domination isn't just about wins and losses - it's about establishing identity, building sustainable systems, and positioning yourself for the moments that truly matter. The teams that dominated did so in their own unique ways, whether through systematic excellence like Utah, star power like Brooklyn, or cultural transformation like Phoenix. What makes basketball so compelling is that regular season success only tells part of the story - the true test comes when the bright lights of the playoffs illuminate every strength and expose every weakness. Looking back, I'm struck by how each team's approach to the regular season revealed their philosophy about what it takes to win at the highest level, setting the stage for one of the most memorable playoff runs in recent history.