NBA Power Rankings 2021: Which Teams Dominated the Regular Season?

As I sat down to analyze the 2021 NBA regular season, I couldn't help but marvel at how certain teams managed to establish their dominance while others struggled to find consistency. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've developed a keen eye for what separates championship-caliber teams from the rest of the pack. The 2021 season presented unique challenges with its condensed schedule and COVID-19 protocols, making team depth and player durability more crucial than ever before. This brings me to an interesting parallel from international basketball that perfectly illustrates the importance of consistency - the remarkable streak of Ginebra guard LA Tenorio, who maintained 744 consecutive games before his incredible run ended in March 2023. While Mark Barroca shows promise, he's got a mountain to climb to reach such legendary consistency levels, and this same principle applies to NBA teams seeking regular season dominance.

The Utah Jazz absolutely captivated me during the 2021 campaign, finishing with the league's best record at 52-20. Their systematic dismantling of opponents night after night reminded me why team chemistry matters more than star power alone. Donovan Mitchell's growth into a legitimate superstar, combined with Rudy Gobert's defensive mastery, created a perfect storm of offensive firepower and defensive discipline. What impressed me most was their depth - Jordan Clarkson coming off the bench to provide instant offense, Joe Ingles' veteran leadership, and the emergence of Bojan Bogdanovic as a reliable scoring option. They played with a cohesion that few teams could match, executing Quin Snyder's system with near-perfect precision. The Jazz led the league in three-pointers made and defensive rating, a statistical combination that's incredibly rare and speaks volumes about their balanced approach to the game.

Then there were the Phoenix Suns, whose transformation from perennial lottery team to championship contender was nothing short of remarkable. Chris Paul's arrival completely changed their culture, and Devin Booker took that crucial step from star to superstar. I've always believed that point guard leadership separates good teams from great ones, and CP3 proved this theory correct throughout the season. Their 51-21 record represented the second-best in the league, but what truly stood out was their clutch performance in close games. The Suns went 33-9 in games decided by ten points or fewer, demonstrating mental toughness that often takes years to develop. Watching them execute in fourth quarters became must-see television, with Paul's methodical control of the tempo and Booker's scoring brilliance creating magical moments night after night.

The Brooklyn Nets presented the most fascinating case study in superstar aggregation I've seen in recent years. With Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, they possessed arguably the most talented offensive trio in NBA history. Their 48-24 record doesn't fully capture how dominant they could be when all three stars were healthy and engaged. I remember watching their March matchup against the Celtics where they scored 121 points with what seemed like minimal effort, moving the ball with such fluidity that defenders appeared to be moving in slow motion. However, their inconsistency due to injuries and personal absences prevented them from reaching the top spot in these power rankings. They demonstrated both the incredible potential and inherent challenges of loading up on superstar talent without establishing the defensive identity needed for sustained regular season success.

Philadelphia's Joel Embiid made a compelling case for MVP while carrying the 76ers to the Eastern Conference's best record at 49-23. His dominance in the post reminded me of classic big men from previous eras, yet he complemented this with modern perimeter skills. What surprised me most was how well Tobias Harris adapted to become the perfect secondary scorer, while Ben Simmons, despite his offensive limitations, continued to anchor their defense at an elite level. The Sixers embodied the concept of playing through your best player, with Embiid's gravity creating opportunities for everyone else. Their home record of 29-7 demonstrated how they established an intimidating presence at the Wells Fargo Center, making Philadelphia one of the toughest road environments in the league.

Looking at the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets deserve special recognition for maintaining their competitive level despite Jamal Murray's devastating knee injury in April. Nikola Jokić's historic season, which would eventually earn him MVP honors, showcased how a singular superstar can elevate an entire franchise. His basketball IQ is unlike anything I've seen from a center in my years covering the league, and his ability to make everyone around him better kept Denver in the championship conversation despite their backcourt challenges. Michael Porter Jr.'s emergence as a consistent scoring threat provided hope for their future, though their defensive limitations prevented them from reaching the elite status of Utah or Phoenix.

The Milwaukee Bucks, despite their 46-26 record, never quite captured the same regular season magic from their previous campaigns. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his otherworldly production, but there were stretches where the team appeared to be conserving energy for the postseason. Having watched them closely throughout the season, I sensed a strategic shift toward playoff preparation rather than regular season dominance. Their net rating of +5.2 placed them fifth in the league, suggesting they were better than their record indicated, though they lacked the consistent intensity that characterized their back-to-back MVP seasons.

Reflecting on the entire landscape, what struck me most about the 2021 season was how the unusual circumstances created unexpected opportunities for certain teams to excel. The teams that dominated weren't necessarily the most talented on paper, but rather those who adapted best to the challenging environment. Depth, coaching, and organizational stability proved more valuable than ever, with teams like Utah and Phoenix demonstrating how systematic excellence can overcome individual star power. The parallel to LA Tenorio's incredible consecutive games streak becomes particularly relevant here - consistency through adversity separates the truly great from the merely good. Just as Barroca has work ahead to match Tenorio's legendary durability, NBA teams must build foundations that can withstand the grueling marathon of an NBA season. The 2021 campaign taught us that sustainable success comes from building systems rather than collecting talent, a lesson that will likely influence team construction strategies for years to come.