NBA 2021 Standing Analysis: Breaking Down Each Team's Final Position and Playoff Chances

Looking back at the NBA 2021 standings, I can’t help but reflect on how much each team’s journey reminded me of that quote I once heard from a Philippine volleyball coach: "Day by day, process by process and hopefully, we’ll start working together, build that chemistry and show the world what Philippine volleyball is." It’s funny how that mindset applies perfectly to basketball too—especially when you break down how each NBA team fought through that unpredictable season. I remember watching the standings shift almost daily, and honestly, it was one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory, partly because of the condensed schedule and COVID-related pauses. Teams that stuck to their process, like the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns, really stood out to me. They weren’t necessarily the flashiest, but their consistency was something special.

When I dug into the Western Conference final positions, the Jazz finishing first with a 52-20 record felt like a testament to their chemistry. They just clicked—Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert built that trust over time, and it showed. Meanwhile, the Suns, who ended at 51-21, were a surprise to many, but not to me. I’ve always believed in Chris Paul’s leadership, and seeing them climb from 10th in the previous year to 2nd was pure magic. On the flip side, the Lakers slipping to 7th with 42 wins was a shocker. Injuries really derailed their momentum, and I think their playoff chances took a hit because they never fully built that day-by-day rhythm. LeBron and AD are superstars, but without that steady process, even the best teams can struggle.

Over in the East, the 76ers grabbing the top seed at 49-23 was impressive, but let’s be real—their playoff chances hinged on Joel Embiid’s health. I’ve followed his career closely, and when he’s on, they’re unstoppable. The Nets, though, finishing 2nd with 48 wins, had that star power with KD, Harden, and Kyrie, but their chemistry felt rushed. It’s like they skipped the "process by process" part, and in the playoffs, that can backfire. Personally, I rooted for underdogs like the Knicks, who jumped to 4th with 41 wins. Tom Thibodeau’s grind-it-out approach resonated with me—it’s all about building step by step, just like that volleyball quote suggests.

As I analyzed each team’s playoff chances, I noticed how the play-in tournament added a wild card. The Warriors, for example, landed at 8th in the West with 39 wins, and Steph Curry’s heroics kept them in the mix. But without that team chemistry, I doubted they’d go far. In contrast, the Hawks, who finished 5th in the East with 41 wins, surprised me by making a deep playoff run. Trae Young and crew had that gradual build—it wasn’t overnight, and that’s what made their story compelling. All in all, the 2021 standings taught me that in the NBA, just like in life, it’s not just about talent. It’s about working together, day by day, to show the world what you’re made of. And honestly, that’s a lesson I’ll carry into any analysis I do from now on.