NBA Standings 2020-2021: Complete Team Rankings and Playoff Predictions
As I sit down to analyze the remarkable 2020-2021 NBA season, I can't help but draw parallels between basketball and other sports where statistical excellence defines greatness. While reviewing team performances, I'm reminded of that fascinating volleyball statistic from our knowledge base - that 6-foot-2 Fil-Australian winger achieving a 37.43 percent spiking success rate, second-best in her league, complemented by 22 aces and 0.40 per set. These numbers demonstrate how across different sports, consistent performance metrics often separate the good from the truly exceptional teams. The NBA's condensed 72-game season created one of the most unpredictable standings in recent memory, with COVID-19 protocols and injury management becoming as crucial as any coaching strategy.
Looking at the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers' rise to the top seed wasn't entirely surprising to those of us who've been tracking their development. Joel Embiid's MVP-caliber season, where he averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds despite missing 21 games, exemplified how individual brilliance can elevate an entire franchise. What impressed me most was their defensive consistency - they held opponents to under 107.8 points per game, which might not sound dramatically low but represented the third-best defensive rating in the conference. The Brooklyn Nets' superteam, while spectacular offensively, never quite found their defensive identity until the playoffs, which explains why they finished second despite having three of the league's top fifteen players. Milwaukee's third-place finish felt somewhat disappointing given their championship aspirations, though Giannis Antetokounmpo's continued dominance kept them in contention throughout.
The Western Conference presented what I consider the most compelling narrative of the regular season. The Utah Jazz claiming the top spot with a 52-20 record shocked many analysts, myself included. Their team-first approach and three-point barrage reminded me of that volleyball statistic about serving efficiency - Utah's 38.9% three-point shooting as a team functioned like those 22 aces, consistently putting pressure on opponents right from the opening tip. The Phoenix Suns' transformation from bubble surprise to legitimate contender was arguably the season's best story, with Chris Paul's leadership elevating every player around him. Meanwhile, the Lakers' fall to seventh place following Anthony Davis' mid-season injury demonstrated how fragile championship aspirations can be in this league.
When we examine playoff predictions, I've always believed that regular season standings only tell part of the story. My personal take - which some might disagree with - is that the teams with the best net rating during the season often reveal more about championship potential than win-loss records alone. The Clippers' +6.3 net rating, third-best in the league despite their fourth-place Western Conference finish, suggested they were built for postseason success. Similarly, Denver's ability to maintain a top-ten offense even after Jamal Murray's devastating ACL tear showed remarkable coaching and roster depth that I believed would translate to playoff resilience.
The play-in tournament added an exciting new dimension to the standings conversation. The Warriors finishing eighth but having to fight through the play-in created what I consider one of the season's most dramatic subplots. Stephen Curry's historic April, where he averaged 37.3 points per game while shooting 47.5% from three-point range, was perhaps the most spectacular individual performance I've witnessed in my years covering the league. Yet even that brilliance couldn't secure Golden State a direct playoff berth, highlighting how competitive the Western Conference was from top to bottom.
What fascinated me about this particular season was how home-court advantage became less significant due to limited arena capacities. Teams like Dallas and Portland, who traditionally benefit from strong home support, found themselves winning nearly as many games on the road as at home. This statistical anomaly - road teams won approximately 48.7% of games compared to the typical 40-42% in previous seasons - fundamentally changed how we interpret standings and playoff predictions. In my analysis, this made lower-seeded teams more dangerous than in any season I can remember.
As we approached the playoffs, my prediction model heavily favored teams with multiple creators and switchable defenders. The Nets' offensive firepower made them my Eastern Conference favorites despite their defensive inconsistencies, while in the West, I believed the Clippers' combination of shooting and defensive versatility made them the team to beat, even over top-seeded Utah. The Lakers' health concerns and Milwaukee's playoff struggles in recent years made me skeptical of their championship chances, though I recognized both had the talent to prove me wrong.
Reflecting on the complete standings, what stands out to me is how the league's competitive balance has evolved. The difference between the sixth seed and the tenth seed in both conferences was often just a few games, creating unprecedented parity. Teams like New York and Atlanta exceeding expectations while traditional powers like Boston and Miami struggled to find consistency demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change in today's NBA. The Knicks' transformation into a top-four defensive team under Tom Thibodeau was perhaps the most impressive coaching achievement I've seen in recent years.
In conclusion, while the 2020-2021 NBA standings provided the framework for postseason positioning, they barely scratched the surface of the underlying stories and potential playoff outcomes. My personal belief is that this season will be remembered not for the teams that finished first, but for how the unique circumstances created opportunities for unexpected contenders to emerge. The volatility we witnessed throughout this remarkable season suggests that future standings may become even more unpredictable as teams prioritize versatility and depth over traditional roster construction.