As I sit here analyzing the wild Western Conference standings from the 2021 NBA season, I can't help but draw parallels to that incredible TNT-Ginebra Game 7 overtime thriller from the PBA. Having followed basketball across multiple leagues for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for what separates championship contenders from regular season wonders. The 2021 Western Conference race was particularly fascinating because it wasn't just about who would finish where—it was about which teams had the mental fortitude to survive what promised to be a brutal playoff gauntlet.
The Utah Jazz surprised everyone by clinching the top seed with a 52-20 record, proving that their system basketball could dominate during the regular season. Personally, I've always been skeptical of regular season dominance translating to playoff success, and the Jazz's history certainly gave me pause. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns emerged as legitimate threats with Chris Paul orchestrating their offense to perfection. I remember thinking at the time that Phoenix's acquisition of CP3 might be the smartest move of the offseason, and boy did that prediction pay off. The Los Angeles teams—Lakers and Clippers—faced dramatically different circumstances despite their proximity. The defending champion Lakers struggled with injuries throughout the season, particularly Anthony Davis's extended absence, which I believe cost them crucial positioning in the standings.
What made the 2021 West particularly compelling was the middle-of-the-pack chaos. The Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors all fought tooth and nail for positioning, with Steph Curry putting together what I consider one of the most impressive individual seasons I've ever witnessed. His scoring barrage night after night kept the Warriors in contention despite their roster limitations. The play-in tournament added another layer of drama, creating scenarios where teams like the Memphis Grizzlies had to fight through multiple elimination games just to earn the right to face the top seeds.
Looking at playoff predictions, I had my doubts about Utah's ability to maintain their regular season form. Their system relies heavily on three-point shooting and defensive discipline, but playoff basketball often comes down to which team can execute in crunch time. The statistic about only four Game 7s going into overtime in PBA history—including that recent TNT-Ginebra classic—resonates with me because it highlights how rare true epic contests are. In the NBA context, I believed teams with proven clutch performers like Phoenix's Devin Booker or the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard would have significant advantages in tight series.
The Denver Nuggets, despite losing Jamal Murray to that devastating ACL injury, remained dangerous because of Nikola Jokić's historic MVP season. I've always been higher on Jokić than most analysts—I predicted his rise to stardom back in 2018 when many still saw him as just a skilled passing big man. His ability to elevate Denver's offense single-handedly made them a nightmare first-round matchup for whoever drew them. Meanwhile, the LA Clippers' load management strategy throughout the season concerned me—while keeping players fresh for the playoffs makes theoretical sense, I've observed that teams often struggle to flip the switch when they haven't built proper rhythm heading into the postseason.
My dark horse pick was the Dallas Mavericks, largely because of Luka Dončić's extraordinary talent. Having watched his development since his Real Madrid days, I've always believed he possesses that rare combination of skill and competitive fire that defines playoff legends. The Mavericks' first-round matchup against the Clippers presented a fascinating rematch from the previous year's bubble playoffs, and I genuinely thought Dallas had what it took to pull off the upset. The Western Conference playoffs ultimately delivered some of the most dramatic basketball we've seen in years, with multiple series going the distance and several games being decided in the final possessions. While the Suns eventually emerged to represent the West in the NBA Finals, the path there was anything but straightforward, proving once again that the Western Conference remains the ultimate proving ground for championship aspirations.
