2025-11-13 17:01
by
nlpkak
Looking back at the 2021 NBA Western Conference standings, I can't help but feel that was one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory. As someone who's been analyzing basketball for over a decade, I've rarely seen such volatility in the playoff picture, especially with the Warriors' situation creating constant drama throughout the season. The Western Conference landscape was particularly fascinating because we had established powerhouses trying to maintain their dominance while dealing with injuries and roster changes, alongside emerging teams that were beginning to find their rhythm.
I remember watching the standings shift almost weekly, with the Phoenix Suns emerging as the surprise package of the season. Chris Paul's arrival completely transformed that team, taking them from a bubble team to genuine championship contenders. Their 51-21 record wasn't just impressive—it was a testament to how quickly a team can turn things around with the right veteran leadership. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz quietly put together an incredible 52-20 season, proving that their system and depth could compete with any flashy superstar lineup. What struck me most was how the Denver Nuggets managed to stay competitive despite Jamal Murray's devastating injury, with Nikola Jokic putting together what I consider one of the most impressive MVP seasons I've ever witnessed.
The middle of the pack was where things got really interesting. The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers were constantly jockeying for position, with Luka Doncic and Damian Lillard putting on absolute clinics night after night. I particularly enjoyed watching the Clippers navigate the regular season while strategically managing Kawhi Leonard's minutes, clearly prioritizing playoff readiness over regular season dominance. The Memphis Grizzlies' emergence as a legitimate playoff team signaled a changing of the guard, with Ja Morant establishing himself as must-see television and giving the Western Conference another young superstar to build around.
Now, let's talk about the Warriors situation, which personally had me glued to my screen all season. When the news broke about Miami shipping their unhappy star to Golden State, I immediately recognized this as a potential game-changer. Steph Curry and Draymond Green were clearly waiting for that final piece to revive their fading title hopes, and this acquisition felt like it could be exactly what they needed. Having watched Curry carry the team through much of the season, putting up MVP-level numbers despite the defensive attention he faced every single night, it was evident that adding another high-caliber player could completely transform their ceiling.
The Lakers' position in the standings never told the full story, in my opinion. Despite finishing seventh with a 42-30 record, they always felt dangerous because of their playoff experience and superstar power. LeBron James and Anthony Davis dealing with injuries throughout the season made it difficult to gauge their true potential, but anyone who's followed basketball knows that counting out LeBron in the playoffs is a dangerous proposition. The same could be said for the Clippers, who seemed to be playing chess while others were playing checkers, carefully managing their stars' health for a postseason run.
What fascinated me about the lower playoff seeds was how competitive the race remained until the final days. The play-in tournament added an extra layer of drama, with teams like the Spurs and Grizzlies fighting for those final spots. I've always believed that the Western Conference's depth creates a more grueling path to the championship, and 2021 reinforced that belief. The margin between the fourth seed and the eighth seed felt thinner than ever, with just a handful of games separating home-court advantage from the play-in tournament.
My playoff predictions at the time had the Suns and Jazz emerging from the first round relatively comfortably, though I must admit I underestimated how far Phoenix would actually go. The Warriors' new acquisition immediately made them a more dangerous matchup, particularly in a potential series against Utah or Denver. I remember thinking that if Curry could maintain his incredible form and the new addition could integrate quickly, Golden State had the potential to upset one of the higher seeds. The Nuggets, despite Jokic's heroics, seemed vulnerable without Murray, while the Clippers' playoff history made me hesitant to fully buy into their regular season success.
The Lakers' path through the play-in tournament and into the playoffs created what I considered the most intriguing first-round matchup against Phoenix. Despite Phoenix's superior record, the defending champions' experience made them a tough out, though injuries ultimately derailed their title defense. Looking back, I think the Suns benefited from catching several breaks with opponent injuries, but their execution throughout the playoffs was still impressive.
As we moved deeper into the postseason, the Western Conference finals between the Suns and Clippers showcased two teams peaking at the right time, though both were dealing with significant injury issues. Phoenix's ability to close out games, particularly Chris Paul's masterful performance in the closeout game, demonstrated the value of veteran leadership in high-pressure situations. The Warriors' early exit was disappointing, but the foundation was clearly there for a resurgence, especially with their new acquisition providing additional firepower.
Reflecting on that season, what stands out to me is how the Western Conference hierarchy was simultaneously stable at the top yet incredibly volatile throughout the middle and bottom playoff seeds. The Suns' rise from obscurity to conference champions was the story of the season, but the Warriors' retooling and the continued excellence of established stars like Curry and Jokic suggested that the balance of power could shift again quickly. The Western Conference has always been about adaptability and seizing opportunities, and the 2021 season perfectly encapsulated why it remains the most compelling conference in basketball.
