Man, the 2020-2021 NBA season was quite something, wasn't it? The schedule was crazy due to the pandemic, and the whole league had to adapt. The Los Angeles Lakers, as the reigning champions, entered the season with high expectations. They had a solid run, but injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis put them in a tough spot. Even with those star players, they only finished 7th in the Western Conference, with a 42-30 record.
Speaking of the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz stunned everyone. They dominated the regular season, clinching the best record in the NBA at 52-20. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were the heartbeat of the team. Mitchell's ability to score in bunches and Gobert's defensive prowess – man, he's a three-time Defensive Player of the Year – turned them into a juggernaut. Gobert's average of 2.7 blocks per game was a huge reason for their solid defense.
Now let’s talk about the Phoenix Suns. Who would've thought Chris Paul joining the Suns would be such a game-changer? The Suns ended the regular season with a 51-21 record, and the combo of Paul and Devin Booker was lethal. Booker put up 25.6 points per game while Paul orchestrated the offense with precision, collecting 8.9 assists per game. They took that momentum all the way to the NBA Finals, which was their first appearance since 1993.
As for the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets were the talk of the town. Once James Harden joined Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, it felt like a super team was born. They finished the regular season second in the East, with a 48-24 record. Durant was phenomenal, averaging 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. However, injuries plagued their postseason, and they couldn't make it past the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round.
Speaking of the Bucks, they had an impressive season as well. With a 46-26 record, they secured the third seed in the East. Giannis Antetokounmpo was an absolute beast. The Greek Freak averaged 28.1 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. This guy was virtually unstoppable. The Bucks ended up winning the NBA Championship, their first since 1971, and Giannis was named Finals MVP, dropping 50 points in a historic Game 6 performance against the Suns.
By the way, remember the New York Knicks? They were the surprise team of the year. After years of struggling, they finished 4th in the Eastern Conference with a 41-31 record. Julius Randle was a revelation. He averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. The team's grit and determination under coach Tom Thibodeau – he was named Coach of the Year, by the way – brought back the excitement to Madison Square Garden.
Down in Atlanta, the Hawks also made some noise. Trae Young was electric, leading his team to the 5th seed in the East with a 41-31 record. His 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game were instrumental. The Hawks went on an unexpected playoff run, even making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Nate McMillan, who took over as interim head coach mid-season, truly turned things around for them.
Don't forget about the Philadelphia 76ers. They finished atop the Eastern Conference with a 49-23 record. Joel Embiid was an MVP finalist, averaging 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Ben Simmons, despite the criticism, continued to showcase his defensive skills, being a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award. However, they faced a shocking exit in the second round against the Hawks.
The Miami Heat, who were the Eastern Conference champions the previous season, had a tough go this year. With a 40-32 record, they finished 6th in the East. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were solid, but the team couldn't capture the same magic as the bubble run in 2020. They got swept in the first round by the Bucks, who were out for revenge after their loss the previous season.
The Golden State Warriors were another interesting story. Without Klay Thompson for the entire season, Stephen Curry put the team on his back. Curry led the league in scoring with 32 points per game. Despite his heroics, the Warriors finished 9th in the West with a 39-33 record. They lost in the play-in tournament, missing the playoffs entirely. Still, Curry's season was nothing short of spectacular.
To round it off, the Memphis Grizzlies were a team to watch. Ja Morant, in his second year, dazzled everyone with his athleticism and leadership. The Grizzlies snuck into the playoffs as the 8th seed, finishing with a 38-34 record. Morant's 19.1 points and 7.4 assists per game were a testament to his growth. They even managed to win a game against the top-seeded Jazz in the first round before eventually falling.
This was definitely a wild ride. If you want to dive deeper into the specifics, check out the nba standings 2020 to 2021. It’s fascinating to see how every team's journey unfolded during such an unpredictable season.