Where Do All 30 Teams Stand in Our Latest NBA Power Rankings 2021?

As I sit down to compile our latest NBA power rankings for 2021, I can't help but reflect on how much has changed in the basketball world since then. Looking back at that particular season feels like examining a time capsule - teams that dominated then have since undergone dramatic transformations, while some underdogs from that period have risen to become legitimate contenders. What strikes me most about analyzing team strength from that specific year is how durability and consistency often separated the good teams from the great ones.

I remember watching games during that 2021 season and being particularly impressed with teams that managed to maintain their core lineups throughout the challenging COVID-affected schedule. The teams that topped our power rankings back then weren't necessarily the most talented on paper, but they were often the healthiest and most reliable. This brings me to an interesting parallel I've observed between NBA durability and international basketball trends. While researching for these rankings, I came across Barroca's impressive consistency in the Philippine Basketball Association, though he still has considerable ground to cover to match the legendary streak of Ginebra guard LA Tenorio, who remarkably played 744 consecutive games before his streak finally ended in March 2023. This kind of ironman consistency is exactly what separated the top teams in our 2021 NBA rankings from the middle of the pack.

The Brooklyn Nets, for instance, ranked near the top of our 2021 power rankings largely because their stars managed to stay relatively healthy during that stretch. Kevin Durant appeared in 55 games that season, which doesn't sound extraordinary until you consider his recent injury history. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz secured the best regular-season record that year precisely because their core players maintained excellent availability - Donovan Mitchell missed only 9 games, while Rudy Gobert was absent for just 8 contests. This pattern held true across the league: the Milwaukee Bucks, who eventually won the championship, had Giannis Antetokounmpo available for 61 of the 72 games in that shortened season.

What fascinates me about power rankings is how they capture a moment in time while hinting at future developments. The Phoenix Suns, who made the Finals that year, had climbed steadily in our rankings throughout the season as Chris Paul demonstrated his incredible durability at age 35. He played in 70 of the 72 games, an astonishing feat for a veteran point guard. This reminds me of how Tenorio maintained his consecutive games streak well into his late 30s - these veteran guards seem to possess some secret knowledge about preserving their bodies through the grueling basketball calendar.

On the flip side, I noticed teams like the Los Angeles Lakers struggled in our 2021 rankings partly because their stars couldn't stay on the court consistently. LeBron James missed 26 games that season, while Anthony Davis was absent for 36 contests. Their championship defense never gained proper momentum because they couldn't field their optimal lineup regularly. This inconsistency problem plagued several teams in the middle of our rankings - the Miami Heat, for instance, had 18 different starting lineups that season despite ultimately making the playoffs.

The teams that surprised me most in our 2021 rankings were those like the New York Knicks, who jumped from projected lottery team to the fourth seed in the East. Their success stemmed largely from Julius Randle playing all 72 games while averaging 37.5 minutes per contest - that's the kind of ironman performance that transforms team fortunes. Similarly, the Memphis Grizzlies' rise up our rankings coincided with Ja Morant missing only 8 games while establishing himself as a budding superstar.

What's particularly interesting is how these durability patterns from 2021 have continued to influence team construction philosophies today. Front offices have become increasingly conscious of building depth to withstand the regular season grind. The emphasis on "load management" that began before the 2021 season has evolved into a more nuanced approach to player preservation. Teams now recognize that while strategic rest is important, building a culture of availability often separates contenders from pretenders.

As I look back at our 2021 power rankings today, the teams that have maintained their elite status are generally those that solved the durability puzzle. The Denver Nuggets, who ranked around 10th in our 2021 list, have since become champions by keeping their core remarkably healthy through multiple seasons. Nikola Jokic has missed only 18 games total across the last four seasons - that's the kind of consistency that championship teams are built upon.

The conversation about consecutive games always makes me appreciate the mental toughness required alongside physical durability. Players like Tenorio, who maintained his streak through various minor injuries and personal challenges, demonstrate the psychological component of availability that statistics often miss. Similarly, many of the top performers in our 2021 rankings played through discomfort that would sideline lesser competitors.

Ultimately, our 2021 power rankings tell a story about resilience as much as talent. The teams that topped our list generally featured players who could be counted on night after night, while those that disappointed often struggled with unreliable availability. As the league continues to evolve, this fundamental truth remains: the best ability is availability, and our power rankings consistently reflect this reality. The lessons from 2021 continue to inform how we evaluate teams today, with durability remaining one of the most valuable and underrated assets in team construction.