NBA 2020-2021 Season Standings Analysis: Which Teams Dominated the League?

When I first started digging into the NBA 2020-2021 season standings, I couldn’t help but notice how much the landscape shifted compared to previous years. The condensed schedule, health protocols, and empty arenas created a unique environment where some teams thrived while others clearly struggled. I remember watching the Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz dominate their respective conferences, but what really caught my attention were the teams that flew under the radar—squads like the Meralco Bolts in the PBA, who improved to 6-5 as they capped their elimination round campaign. It’s fascinating how even in different leagues, the principles of consistency and resilience shine through.

As a longtime basketball analyst, I’ve always believed that standings tell only part of the story. Sure, the Jazz finished with the best record in the league at 52-20, but their playoff run left me questioning their ability to handle high-pressure moments. On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns, who ended the regular season with a 51-21 record, proved many doubters wrong by making it all the way to the Finals. I’ve got to admit, I didn’t see that coming early in the season. Their chemistry, led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker, was something special—a reminder that talent alone doesn’t guarantee dominance.

Looking at the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets were the team everyone was talking about, and for good reason. With Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, they were practically an All-Star team on paper. But injuries and inconsistent rotations meant they finished second in the conference, just behind the 76ers. I’ve always been a bit skeptical about superteams, and the Nets’ regular season reinforced that view. They had flashes of brilliance, no doubt, but their 48-24 record didn’t fully reflect the dominance many expected. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid’s MVP-caliber season propelled the 76ers to the top spot, and I found myself rooting for them—partly because they felt like the underdogs in a conference overshadowed by Brooklyn’s star power.

One thing that stood out to me in the 2020-2021 NBA standings analysis was how the play-in tournament shook things up. The Golden State Warriors, for example, fought tooth and nail to secure a spot, and Stephen Curry’s scoring title was a joy to watch. But their 39-33 record placed them eighth in the West, which meant they had to battle through the play-in games. I’ll be honest, I loved the drama it added to the end of the season. It gave teams on the bubble, like the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs, a chance to prove themselves, and it made every game down the stretch feel meaningful.

When I think about teams that dominated in less obvious ways, the Denver Nuggets come to mind. Even after Jamal Murray’s devastating injury, Nikola Jokić carried them to a 47-25 record and the third seed in the West. His MVP season was a masterclass in leadership, and it’s moments like these that make basketball so compelling. On the flip side, the Los Angeles Lakers, the defending champions, struggled with injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, finishing seventh in the West with a 42-30 record. As a fan, it was tough to watch them battle through the play-in, but it also highlighted how health can make or break a season.

Now, circling back to that reference about Meralco improving to 6-5 in their elimination round—it’s a small detail, but it reminds me that dominance isn’t just about win-loss records. It’s about momentum, growth, and seizing opportunities when they arise. In the NBA, we saw teams like the New York Knicks, who went 41-31 and secured the fourth seed in the East after years of irrelevance. Tom Thibodeau’s coaching and Julius Randle’s breakout season made them one of my favorite stories of the year. I’ve always had a soft spot for underdogs, and the Knicks’ resurgence felt like a breath of fresh air.

As I wrap up this analysis, I can’t help but reflect on how the 2020-2021 season redefined what it means to dominate. It wasn’t just about the teams with the best records; it was about adaptability and heart. The Milwaukee Bucks, for instance, finished third in the East with a 46-26 record, but they went on to win the championship. That, to me, is the ultimate measure of dominance. So, while the standings give us a snapshot, the real story unfolds in the playoffs. And if there’s one takeaway I’d emphasize, it’s that in basketball, as in life, resilience often trumps raw talent.