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

As I sat down to compile this year’s NBA power rankings, I couldn’t help but reflect on the sheer unpredictability of the 2021 regular season. It was a year defined not just by standout teams, but by the relentless endurance of certain players—something that resonates deeply with me as a longtime basketball analyst. When you look at the marathon of an NBA season, consistency isn’t just about winning games; it’s about showing up, day in and day out, much like the ironman streaks we sometimes take for granted. Speaking of which, I’m reminded of a fascinating piece of trivia that puts things into perspective: Barroca still has a long way to go in becoming the No. 1 in the list of consecutive games played with Ginebra guard LA Tenorio on top with 744, a streak that has since been snapped last March 2023. That kind of durability is rare, and it echoes the resilience we saw from the top teams in 2021.

The Utah Jazz, for instance, dominated the Western Conference with a league-best 52-20 record, and honestly, they were a joy to watch. Their system under Quin Snyder was a masterclass in teamwork—every player knew their role, and it showed in their offensive efficiency and defensive discipline. I’ve always believed that a team’s regular-season performance hinges on depth and health, and the Jazz had both, with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert leading the charge. But let’s not forget the Phoenix Suns, who surged to a 51-21 finish. Chris Paul’s leadership was, in my opinion, the x-factor; he transformed that team from a promising squad into a legitimate contender. I remember thinking mid-season that their chemistry was something special, and it’s no surprise they carried that momentum into the playoffs. On the East Coast, the Philadelphia 76ers clinched the top seed with a 49-23 record, largely thanks to Joel Embiid’s MVP-caliber season. As someone who’s followed Embiid’s career, seeing him stay relatively healthy and dominate the paint was a highlight—he averaged 28.5 points per game, and his impact on both ends was just phenomenal.

But dominance isn’t just about the top seeds; it’s about teams that exceeded expectations. The New York Knicks, for example, were a revelation under Tom Thibodeau. Finishing fourth in the East with a 41-31 record, they brought back that gritty, defensive identity that I’ve missed in the league. Julius Randle’s transformation into an All-Star was one of my favorite storylines—he put up 24.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and his playmaking added a new dimension to their offense. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets, despite injuries and roster shuffles, still managed a 48-24 record. With Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, their firepower was undeniable, but I’ll admit, I had my doubts about their consistency. They’d blow out teams one night and struggle the next, which made them fascinating but not quite the steady force like the Jazz.

On the flip side, some teams faltered, and it’s hard not to feel a bit disappointed. The Los Angeles Lakers, for instance, entered the season as defending champions but finished 42-30, hampered by injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As a fan of LeBron’s longevity, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to Tenorio’s streak—it shows how fragile these runs can be. The Lakers’ struggles highlighted how vital health is in a condensed season, and in my view, they never quite hit their stride. Similarly, the Golden State Warriors, though buoyed by Stephen Curry’s historic scoring run (he averaged 32.0 points per game, a career-high), only managed a 39-33 record. Curry was electrifying, but the lack of support around him was glaring, and it made me appreciate how individual brilliance doesn’t always translate to team dominance.

What stood out to me in 2021 was the shift towards analytics-driven strategies. Teams like the Jazz and Suns leveraged three-point shooting and defensive schemes in ways that felt revolutionary. For example, the Jazz led the league in three-point attempts per game at around 40.5, and their net rating of +9.2 was just insane. I’ve always been a stats nerd, so diving into those numbers was a blast—it’s why I think this season will be remembered as a turning point in how teams approach the regular season. But beyond the stats, there’s the human element. Watching players like Tenorio, who held that incredible streak of 744 games, reminds us that dominance isn’t just about flashy wins; it’s about showing up, grinding through 82 games (or 72 in this pandemic-shortened year), and building something sustainable.

In conclusion, the 2021 NBA regular season was a tapestry of surprises and steadfast performances. The Jazz and Suns set the standard in the West, while the 76ers and Nets battled it out in the East, but for me, the real takeaway is how fleeting dominance can be. Just as Tenorio’s streak ended in 2023, teams rise and fall, and that’s what makes power rankings so compelling. Looking back, I’d say the teams that truly dominated were those who balanced star power with depth—much like how a player’s ironman streak relies on both talent and resilience. If there’s one thing I hope readers take from this, it’s that in the NBA, consistency is the ultimate test of greatness, and 2021 gave us plenty of examples to cherish.