As I sat down to compile this year’s NBA power rankings, I couldn’t help but reflect on what makes a team truly dominant over the grueling 82-game regular season. Consistency, endurance, and that intangible clutch factor—these are the ingredients that separate the contenders from the pretenders. And while we’re talking consistency, let’s take a quick detour to the Philippine Basketball Association, where Ginebra guard LA Tenorio set an almost unbelievable standard with 744 consecutive games played. That streak, which only ended in March 2023, is a staggering reminder of what durability looks like. It’s the kind of reliability every coach dreams of, and frankly, it puts into perspective just how demanding professional basketball can be—whether we’re talking the NBA or leagues overseas. Tenorio’s record is a high bar, one that even fellow players like Barroca are still far from reaching, and it got me thinking about which NBA teams this past season demonstrated that same relentless, week-in-week-out excellence.
The 2021 NBA season was a fascinating mix of old guards reasserting their dominance and new challengers rising through the ranks. Let’s start out West, where the Utah Jazz absolutely balled out. They finished with the league’s best record, 52-20, and their net rating was through the roof. Watching them night after night, I was struck by their depth—they had six players averaging double figures, and Rudy Gobert was just a monster in the paint. But here’s my take: as impressive as they were, I always felt they were a notch below the top-tier contenders come playoff time. Still, for the regular season, they were a machine. Not far behind, the Phoenix Suns made their incredible leap. Chris Paul, even at his age, was pure magic on the court. He gave them that veteran savvy they’d been missing, and Devin Booker? The guy was unstoppable in crunch time. I remember one game against the Clippers where he dropped 35 and just took over—it was a thing of beauty. The Suns played with a poise that you usually see in much more experienced teams, and their 51-21 record was no fluke.
Over in the East, the story was all about the Brooklyn Nets and their star-studded lineup. With Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, they were practically an All-Star team. Their offensive rating was historic—I think it was around 118 points per 100 possessions when all three were on the floor. But let’s be real: injuries and rest days meant we rarely saw them all together for extended stretches. Even so, when they played, they were almost unfair. I’ve got to admit, as a fan, watching Durant do his thing night after night was a privilege. He’s just on another level. Then there’s the Philadelphia 76ers, who surprised a lot of people. Joel Embiid was in the MVP conversation for most of the season, and Ben Simmons, despite his shooting woes, was a defensive wizard. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think they’d finish at the top of the East, but they proved me wrong with a 49-23 record. Their grit, especially on the road, reminded me of those old-school, physical teams.
But dominance isn’t just about the top teams—it’s also about the surprises and the disappointments. The New York Knicks, for instance, were one of my favorite stories. After years of irrelevance, they clawed their way to a 41-31 record, largely on the back of Julius Randle’s breakout season. I remember talking to friends early in the year, and none of us saw that coming. Tom Thibodeau instilled a defensive identity that was just relentless. On the flip side, the Los Angeles Lakers, despite having LeBron James and Anthony Davis, struggled with consistency. Injuries hit them hard, and they finished 42-30, which felt underwhelming given the talent. In my view, their regular season was a reminder that health is as important as skill. And speaking of consistency, it’s worth circling back to that PBA reference—Tenorio’s 744-game streak is a testament to availability, something the Lakers sorely missed.
As we wrap this up, it’s clear that the 2021 regular season was defined by teams that could bring it every single night. The Jazz and Suns out West, the Nets and Sixers in the East—they each had stretches where they looked unbeatable. But if I had to pick one squad that embodied dominance from start to finish, I’d lean toward the Jazz. Their system, their teamwork, it was all so polished. Yet, in the back of my mind, I keep thinking about LA Tenorio and that incredible streak. It’s a reminder that longevity and reliability often trump flashy moments. In the NBA, the true powerhouses aren’t just the ones with the most stars; they’re the ones who show up, night after night, and grind out wins. And as we look ahead to the playoffs, that’s the kind of resilience that could make all the difference.
