Standing NBA 2021 Playoffs: Complete Team Rankings and Postseason Analysis

I still remember watching that incredible Game 7 between the Clippers and Mavericks last June, sitting in my living room with stats sheets scattered everywhere. The 2021 NBA playoffs delivered some of the most unpredictable basketball we've seen in years, with unexpected upsets and breakout performances that kept analysts like me constantly revising our predictions. What made this postseason particularly fascinating was how teams navigated the challenges of playing through a pandemic while dealing with unusual circumstances - much like how TNT Tropang 5G's team manager described Devin's situation visiting the Philippines after reconnecting months prior. That theme of reconnection and adaptation resonated throughout the playoffs, as teams had to quickly rebuild chemistry after limited practice time and unusual scheduling.

The Milwaukee Bucks ultimately claimed the championship that had eluded them for fifty years, defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games that showcased Giannis Antetokounmpo's evolution into a true superstar. His 50-point closeout performance in Game 6 wasn't just statistically impressive - it was historically significant, making him just the seventh player to score 50 in a championship-clinching game. What many casual fans might not realize is how much the Bucks' supporting cast contributed to that victory. Jrue Holiday's defensive mastery, particularly his late-game steal against Devin Booker in Game 5, might have been the series' true turning point. Meanwhile, Khris Middleton provided that reliable secondary scoring the Bucks had been missing in previous postseason runs, averaging nearly 24 points during the Finals. The championship validated Milwaukee's decision to trade for Holiday, even though it cost them multiple future first-round picks - a gamble that absolutely paid off.

Phoenix's run to the Finals surprised many, including myself, though in retrospect we should have seen it coming. Chris Paul's leadership transformed that young team, and Devin Booker finally got the postseason showcase his talent deserved. Their sweep of the Denver Nuggets in the second round demonstrated how perfectly constructed this team was, with Deandre Ayton's emergence as a reliable two-way center giving them the interior presence they'd lacked for years. I had my doubts about their championship readiness, particularly their depth beyond the starting five, but they proved me wrong repeatedly until the very end. The Suns played with a cohesion that reminded me of the Spurs' beautiful basketball during their championship years - everyone knew their role and executed with precision.

The Brooklyn Nets' early exit due to injuries represented one of the postseason's biggest what-if stories. With Kevin Durant's foot literally on the three-point line in Game 7 against Milwaukee, we came within centimeters of seeing a completely different Finals matchup. That series alone provided enough dramatic moments for an entire postseason, with Durant averaging over 35 points while playing nearly every minute of the final three games. The what-ifs will haunt Nets fans for years - what if Kyrie Irving doesn't get injured? What if James Harden was at full health? Their superstar trio only played eight games together during the entire regular season, and that lack of continuity ultimately cost them when it mattered most.

Out West, the Utah Jazz's regular season dominance didn't translate to postseason success, falling to the Clippers in the second round despite holding home-court advantage. Donovan Mitchell's heroic performance, playing through an ankle injury that would have sidelined most players, deserved better support from his teammates. The Jazz's defensive scheme, so effective during the regular season, proved too predictable against elite playoff coaching. Meanwhile, the Lakers' first-round exit demonstrated how fragile championship aspirations can be - Anthony Davis' groin injury essentially ended their repeat bid before it truly began. LeBron James looked every bit of his 36 years, lacking the explosive burst we've come to expect in crucial moments.

The postseason also gave us breakout performances from young stars who announced their arrival on the big stage. Atlanta's Trae Young silencing Madison Square Garden, Dallas' Luka Dončić putting up historic numbers despite his team's early exit, and Memphis' Ja Morant nearly willing his young team past the top-seeded Jazz - these moments gave us glimpses of the NBA's future. The Hawks' unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals proved how quickly a team can transform with the right coaching change and a few strategic additions. Nate McMillan took over midseason and implemented a system that maximized Young's creativity while building a competent defense around him - a coaching job that doesn't get nearly enough credit.

Looking back, the 2021 playoffs highlighted the increasing importance of depth and health over pure star power. The last teams standing weren't necessarily the most talented on paper, but rather the healthiest and most cohesive units. The condensed schedule and minimal recovery time between games exposed teams that relied too heavily on their starters, while rewarding organizations that had developed reliable bench contributions. As we move forward, I believe we'll see more teams prioritizing rotational depth over accumulating superstars, with the Bucks' model of having multiple capable ball-handlers and defenders becoming the blueprint rather than the exception. The championship proved that in today's NBA, having your entire team available and clicking at the right moment matters more than having the most talented individual players.