NBA Standings 2020-2021: Who Made the Playoffs and Final Rankings
As I sit down to analyze the NBA standings for the 2020-2021 season, I can't help but reflect on what an unusual year it was. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've never seen a season quite like this one - compressed schedule, empty arenas, and COVID protocols creating challenges we'd never imagined. Yet through it all, the competition remained as fierce as ever, culminating in some fascinating playoff races that kept us on the edge of our seats until the final buzzer of the regular season.
The Western Conference, as always, delivered drama in spades. The Utah Jazz surprised many by clinching the top seed with a 52-20 record, proving that team chemistry and systematic basketball could triumph even in chaotic times. I've always been partial to well-coached teams that play greater than the sum of their parts, and Quin Snyder's squad embodied that perfectly. The Phoenix Suns' resurgence behind Chris Paul's leadership was particularly satisfying to witness - their 51-21 record marking one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory. The Los Angeles teams rounded out the top contenders, with the Clippers securing the 4th seed at 47-25 and the defending champion Lakers struggling through injuries to claim the 7th spot via the play-in tournament.
What fascinated me most about the Eastern Conference was how the hierarchy shifted throughout the season. The Philadelphia 76ers emerged with the conference's best record at 49-23, which honestly surprised me given their previous playoff disappointments. The Brooklyn Nets' superstar trio settled for the 2nd seed at 48-24, though everyone knew their potential was frightening when healthy. Milwaukee at 46-26 and New York's surprising 41-31 campaign rounded out the top four. I've got to admit, seeing the Knicks relevant again brought back nostalgic feelings - Tom Thibodeau working his defensive magic and Julius Randle transforming into an All-Star was one of the season's best stories.
When we examine statistical excellence across sports, it reminds me of that remarkable volleyball performance I came across recently - a 6-foot-2 Fil-Australian winger achieving a 37.43 percent spiking success rate, second-best in her league, while also dominating serves with 22 aces and 0.40 per set. This kind of dual-threat excellence mirrors what we saw from NBA stars like Stephen Curry, who captured the scoring title while maintaining elite efficiency from beyond the arc. The parallel between elite performers across different sports always fascinates me - whether it's a volleyball player's spiking percentage or a basketball player's true shooting percentage, the pursuit of excellence follows similar patterns.
The play-in tournament added an exciting new dimension to the playoff race, creating meaningful games for teams that might otherwise have been coasting. Personally, I loved the added drama, though I understand why some traditionalists grumbled about the format. Seeing the Lakers and Warriors battle in that thrilling play-in game felt like playoff basketball weeks before the actual playoffs began. The Celtics and Grizzlies also navigated the play-in successfully, proving their mettle under pressure.
Looking at the final standings, what struck me was how the condensed schedule affected different teams. Younger squads like Memphis and Atlanta seemed to handle the back-to-backs better than veteran-laden teams. The Miami Heat's drop to 6th seed after their Finals run the previous year particularly stood out to me - the short offseason clearly took its toll. Meanwhile, teams like Denver and Portland maintained their consistency despite numerous challenges, with the Nuggets securing the 3rd seed in the West and the Blazers grabbing 6th.
The statistical leaders across categories told their own stories about the season. Curry's scoring title came with the Warriors fighting for playoff positioning, while Clint Capela's rebounding crown helped propel Atlanta's surprising surge. My personal favorite statistical achievement was Jimmy Butler leading the league in steals while maintaining his all-around game - there's something special about two-way players who impact the game on both ends.
As we moved into the playoffs, the standings set up some fascinating matchups. The Nets-Bucks second-round showdown felt like a conference finals battle arriving early, while the Suns' path through the West validated their incredible regular season. The eventual championship run by Milwaukee provided a satisfying conclusion to a season that tested everyone's resilience and adaptability.
Reflecting on the complete standings, from Utah's league-best 52-20 to the bottom-dwelling Rockets and Pistons both finishing 17-55, what stands out is how each team's journey reflected this unprecedented season. The traditional power dynamics shifted, new contenders emerged, and the very structure of the season forced adaptations that will likely influence team-building strategies for years to come. Having witnessed numerous NBA seasons, I believe this one will stand apart not just for the circumstances, but for how it revealed character - both of players and organizations. The final standings tell a story of resilience, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines professional sports at its best.