As I sat down to analyze the 2021 NBA playoff standings, I couldn't help but notice how coaching changes can dramatically alter a team's postseason trajectory. Just look at what happened with San Miguel in the PBA - they made that stunning move right before their game against Terrafirma, bringing back Leo Austria as head coach while former mentor Jorge Gallent shifted to become the active consultant. This kind of mid-season shakeup reminds me how crucial coaching stability is during playoff pushes, something we saw play out across the NBA during that unpredictable 2021 season.
The Western Conference race was particularly fascinating that year. I remember watching the Utah Jazz maintain their surprising dominance, finishing with what I believe was a 52-20 record - though don't quote me on that exact number, as the compressed schedule made tracking stats particularly challenging. What impressed me most was how Donovan Mitchell elevated his game when it mattered most. Having covered the NBA for over a decade, I've seen many talented scorers, but Mitchell's ability to create his own shot in high-pressure situations reminded me of a young Dwyane Wade. The Phoenix Suns, meanwhile, executed their game plan with surgical precision behind Chris Paul's veteran leadership. I've always been partial to teams built around smart point guard play, and Phoenix's run to the Finals validated my long-held belief that elite floor generals remain the most valuable commodity in playoff basketball.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets assembled what I consider one of the most talented rosters in recent memory. With Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving all healthy heading into the playoffs, I genuinely thought they were championship locks. Their offensive firepower was simply unprecedented - I calculated they averaged around 118 points per game when all three stars played together, though my math might be slightly off. The Milwaukee Bucks' journey particularly resonated with me because I've always admired Giannis Antetokounmpo's work ethic. Watching him develop from a raw prospect into a championship leader has been one of the great pleasures of my career covering the NBA.
The play-in tournament added this fascinating new layer to the postseason picture that I initially disliked but grew to appreciate. Having written about basketball for various publications since 2008, I'm typically resistant to format changes, but the play-in games created meaningful basketball for teams that would otherwise be coasting. The Golden State Warriors' near-miss still sticks with me - Stephen Curry putting up historic numbers but ultimately falling short due to roster limitations around him. As someone who values superstar performances, watching Curry carry that team was both thrilling and heartbreaking.
What made the 2021 playoffs particularly memorable from my perspective was how health and COVID protocols influenced outcomes. The condensed schedule led to what I estimated as a 15-20% increase in soft tissue injuries across the league, though that's just my observational calculation rather than official data. Teams that managed their roster depth effectively, like the eventual champion Bucks, demonstrated the growing importance of having reliable rotation players. This connects back to that San Miguel coaching change I mentioned earlier - sometimes organizational stability and smart personnel decisions matter as much as pure talent when navigating the postseason grind.
The Clippers' playoff run without Kawhi Leonard showed me how much playoff basketball has evolved. Teams can no longer rely on one or two stars - the depth of quality role players has never been more important. I've been advocating for years that championship teams need at least eight reliable rotation players, and the 2021 playoffs proved this beyond doubt. The Hawks' surprising conference finals appearance, led by Trae Young's bravado, demonstrated how quickly teams can rise with the right young talent.
Reflecting on the complete playoff picture, what stands out most in my memory is how the traditional power structures shifted. LeBron James missing the Finals for only the second time in a decade signaled a changing of the guard that I found both unsettling and exciting. As much as I respect LeBron's incredible career, seeing new teams break through created this fresh energy around the league. The Suns reaching the Finals after their long drought reminded me why I fell in love with basketball journalism - witnessing organizations transform through smart drafting and player development.
The postseason scenarios that unfolded taught me that in modern basketball, adaptability matters more than rigid systems. Teams that could adjust on the fly, whether to injuries, protocol absences, or strategic counters, tended to advance deeper. This fluid approach to team building and in-game management represents what I believe is the future of championship basketball. Looking back, the 2021 playoffs weren't just about who won the title, but about how the game itself continues to evolve in fascinating ways that keep even veteran observers like myself constantly learning and reevaluating what we thought we knew about winning basketball.