Looking back at the 2020-2021 NBA season, I can’t help but feel it was one of the most unpredictable and fascinating campaigns in recent memory. As someone who’s followed the league for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen a season so heavily influenced by condensed schedules, health protocols, and the sheer mental toll of playing in isolated environments. The phrase "We play on Sunday and another one next Thursday (against Phoenix). It’s very important the next few games for us," spoken by Coach Victolero, though from a different context, perfectly captures the mindset that defined this year: every game felt urgent, every matchup carried playoff implications, and teams had to navigate an unforgiving calendar with very little room for error. That urgency, I believe, reshaped the standings in ways nobody could have fully predicted before tip-off.
When the season began, the usual suspects were expected to dominate—the Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks were preseason favorites, and for good reason. But as the weeks rolled on, it became clear that depth and adaptability would matter just as much as star power. Take the Utah Jazz, for example. They finished with the best record in the league at 52-20, a full three games ahead of the second-place Phoenix Suns. I’ll admit, I didn’t see that coming. Donovan Mitchell’s growth as a leader and their relentless three-point shooting—they attempted around 43 threes per game—made them a nightmare to defend. On the other hand, the Brooklyn Nets, despite having Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, only managed the second seed in the East. Why? Injuries and inconsistent defensive efforts cost them dearly. I remember thinking mid-season that if they couldn’t stay healthy, even their firepower wouldn’t be enough to secure the top spot, and that’s exactly what happened.
Out West, the battle for positioning was brutal. The Lakers, defending champions, stumbled to a 42-30 record and the seventh seed, largely because Anthony Davis missed 36 games and LeBron James was sidelined for 27. As a fan, it was frustrating to watch—they had the talent but not the continuity. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns surged to a 51-21 finish, and Chris Paul’s leadership was nothing short of magical. I’ve always admired CP3’s ability to elevate teams, and this season was his masterpiece. The Clippers and Nuggets held their own, but it was the Mavericks and Trail Blazers who kept us on edge until the final week. Luka Dončić carried Dallas to the fifth seed with 42 wins, though their defense—ranked 21st in efficiency—left me skeptical about their playoff chances. In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers clinched the top seed at 49-23, thanks largely to Joel Embiid’s MVP-caliber season. But let’s be honest, the Bucks at 46-26 felt underwhelming; they should’ve done better with Giannis Antetokounmpo in his prime.
What stood out to me, though, was how the play-in tournament added another layer of drama. Teams like the Warriors and Grizzlies fought tooth and nail for those spots, and Stephen Curry’s historic April—averaging 37.1 points per game—almost single-handedly dragged Golden State into contention. Still, they finished 39-33, which in a normal year might have secured a safer playoff berth. The play-in format, while controversial, made every regular-season game feel like a must-win, echoing that Victolero quote about the importance of each matchup. On the flip side, traditional powerhouses like the Celtics and Heat struggled more than expected. Boston ended up 36-36, and I couldn’t help but feel they underachieved given their roster. Miami, at 40-32, squeezed into the sixth seed, but their inconsistency drove me crazy—some nights they looked like contenders, others like they were still in preseason.
Reflecting on the standings, it’s clear that resilience mattered more than ever. The Jazz and Suns excelled because they stayed relatively healthy and played with cohesion, while teams like the Lakers and Nets faltered when it counted. Personally, I think the Suns were the biggest surprise—jumping from 34 wins the previous season to 51 was incredible. And let’s not forget the Knicks, who went 41-31 to secure the fourth seed in the East. As a longtime skeptic, I have to give them credit; Tom Thibodeau’s defense-first approach worked wonders. On the disappointing end, the Raptors finishing 27-45 was a shock—they’re usually so well-coached, but playing in Tampa clearly took a toll. All in all, the 2020-2021 standings remind us that in basketball, as in life, adaptability often trumps raw talent. The teams that embraced the grind, like Victolero’s squad emphasizing each game, ultimately rose to the top, while those who couldn’t adjust fell short. It was a season of lessons, and I’ll remember it for years to come.
