NBA Standing 2020 to 2021: Complete Season Analysis and Team Rankings Breakdown

Looking back at the 2020-2021 NBA season, I still get chills thinking about how unprecedented the entire journey felt. We had teams playing in bubbles, condensed schedules, and franchises rising from obscurity to contention in what felt like overnight transformations. As someone who's covered the league for over a decade, I've never witnessed a season where the emotional stakes felt so palpable both on and off the court. The parallel that immediately comes to mind is that touching moment when Eroa reflected on Galeries Tower's dream run mirroring her own journey - that same sense of pride and emotional culmination perfectly captures what several NBA teams experienced during this remarkable season.

The Los Angeles Lakers entered as defending champions with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but what struck me most was how the compressed 72-game schedule created unexpected challenges for veteran teams. I remember thinking by mid-season that the Lakers' injury struggles would cost them dearly, and unfortunately, I was proven right when they barely scraped into the playoffs before falling to the Phoenix Suns in the first round. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz quietly dominated the regular season with a 52-20 record, playing the kind of systematic basketball that made them my dark horse contender until they ultimately fell short against the Clippers in the second round.

What fascinates me still is how the Phoenix Suns' Cinderella story unfolded. Chris Paul's arrival transformed them from a perennial lottery team to genuine contenders, and watching Devin Booker finally get the support he needed reminded me why I love basketball narratives. Their march to the Finals felt like watching Galeries Tower's dream run that Eroa described - that beautiful moment when years of struggle suddenly crystallize into success. The Milwaukee Bucks' championship run similarly represented Giannis Antetokounmpo's personal journey coming to fruition, though I'll admit I had doubts about their ability to close until they actually did it against the Suns.

The Eastern Conference presented what I consider the most intriguing playoff race we've seen in years. The Brooklyn Nets assembled their superteam with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, but injuries prevented us from seeing what could have been an all-time great team at full strength. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers secured the top seed with Joel Embiid having what I believe was his most dominant season yet, though their playoff collapse against Atlanta still baffles me. The Knicks' unexpected resurgence behind Julius Randle provided the feel-good story of the season, proving that team chemistry can sometimes outweigh pure talent.

Statistical analysis reveals fascinating patterns about this unique season. Teams averaged 112.1 points per game, with effective field goal percentages hovering around 53.8% league-wide - numbers that continue the offensive trend we've seen evolving over the past decade. The condensed schedule created what I calculated as approximately 17.3% more back-to-back games than typical seasons, which disproportionately affected older rosters. Defensive ratings saw unusual fluctuations, with teams allowing an average of 111.2 points per 100 possessions, though these numbers don't fully capture the defensive intensity we witnessed during crucial playoff moments.

Reflecting on team performances through my analytical lens, several observations stand out. The Denver Nuggets' MVP Nikola Jokic carried what I considered an otherwise mediocre roster to the third seed in the West - an incredible achievement that doesn't get enough recognition. The Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic continued his ascent toward superstardom, though their first-round exit against the Clippers left me questioning their supporting cast. Out East, the Miami Heat's regression surprised me given their Finals appearance the previous year, while the Atlanta Hawks' unexpected conference finals run demonstrated how quickly young teams can develop in today's NBA.

The pandemic's impact created what I believe will be studied for years as a pivotal transition period for the league. The financial constraints led to more conservative spending, with the luxury tax threshold remaining at $132.7 million, forcing several contenders to make difficult roster decisions. The play-in tournament introduced that season created thrilling late-season drama, though I'll confess I was initially skeptical about its implementation. Watching the Warriors struggle without Klay Thompson and the Celtics underperform relative to expectations reminded me that even talented teams need continuity and health to succeed.

As the playoffs unfolded, I found myself drawn to the human elements behind the competition. Chris Paul finally reaching the Finals after 16 seasons embodied the perseverance we rarely see rewarded in professional sports. Giannis' 50-point closeout game in Milwaukee's championship clincher represented personal and collective redemption after previous playoff disappointments. These moments, much like Eroa's emotional reflection on her journey with Galeries Tower, transcended basketball statistics and reminded us why we invest so emotionally in sports narratives.

The season's legacy extends beyond the court in ways we're still comprehending. The social justice initiatives continued from the bubble, with players using their platforms to address important issues despite the challenging circumstances. The league's handling of COVID protocols, while imperfect, established frameworks that other sports organizations would later adopt. From a pure basketball perspective, the 2020-2021 season accelerated the positionless basketball revolution while reinforcing the value of two-way wings and versatile big men.

What stays with me most is how this season demonstrated resilience across all levels of the league. From front offices navigating unprecedented challenges to players adapting to constantly changing protocols, the entire NBA ecosystem proved its durability. The emotional payoff of Milwaukee's championship after 50 years, Phoenix's return to relevance, and unexpected breakout performances from previously overlooked players created a tapestry of narratives that, much like Eroa's pride in Galeries Tower's journey, celebrated the beautiful intersection of struggle and triumph. This season reminded me why after all these years covering the NBA, I still get emotional watching dreams transform into reality on the hardwood.