NBA 2021 Standings Analysis: Which Teams Dominated the Regular Season?

As I sat down to analyze the 2021 NBA standings, I couldn't help but reflect on that powerful quote from Philippine volleyball about building chemistry day by day. That's exactly what separated the dominant teams from the rest in what was arguably one of the most challenging NBA seasons in recent memory. The teams that truly understood this gradual building process - the ones that embraced the daily grind despite pandemic restrictions and schedule disruptions - were the ones that ultimately rose to the top.

Looking at the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz's performance genuinely surprised me. They finished with a league-best 52-20 record, which frankly, I didn't see coming at the start of the season. What impressed me most wasn't just their win total, but how they built that success. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert developed this incredible synergy that reminded me of that "process by process" mentality. Their offensive rating of 116.5 was simply phenomenal, and defensively, they maintained that traditional Jazz toughness. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns' transformation was nothing short of remarkable. After missing the playoffs for a decade, they surged to 51-21, and Chris Paul's leadership was the catalyst. I've always believed that veteran presence matters, but what CP3 did with that young roster exceeded even my expectations.

Over in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers' 49-23 record secured them the top seed, though I have to admit I'm still skeptical about their playoff viability. Joel Embiid was an absolute force, averaging 28.5 points, but what really stood out to me was how Doc Rivers managed to get that roster to buy into defensive principles. The Brooklyn Nets, despite finishing second with 48-24, were the team that scared everyone. When Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving shared the court, their offensive numbers were historic - they averaged 118.6 points per 100 possessions in those limited minutes together. Personally, I think if health hadn't been an issue, they would have easily topped the conference.

The teams that struggled most were those that failed to build that day-by-day chemistry the Philippine volleyball quote emphasizes. The Toronto Raptors' fall to 27-45 was particularly striking, though understandable given their temporary relocation to Tampa. And the Golden State Warriors, despite Stephen Curry's incredible scoring title season (32.0 points per game, which was just mesmerizing to watch), never found the consistent support system needed around him. What I found fascinating was how the Atlanta Hawks turned their season around after switching coaches, going from 14-20 to finishing 41-31 and making that surprising conference finals run. It proves that sometimes, it's not just about talent, but about finding the right process and chemistry.

Ultimately, the 2021 regular season taught us that dominance isn't just about stacking stars or having the flashiest offense. The teams that truly excelled were those that embraced the daily grind, that built their chemistry through consistent processes, much like the philosophy behind that Philippine volleyball quote. While the Jazz, Suns, and 76ers earned their top seeds through remarkable consistency, I can't help but feel that the Nets, when healthy, represented what modern NBA dominance could look like. But as we saw in the playoffs, regular season success only means so much - it's the teams that continue building through the postseason that ultimately make history.