Where Does Your Team Stand in Our Updated NBA Power Rankings 2021?

2025-11-17 09:00

As I sit down to update our NBA Power Rankings for 2021, I can't help but reflect on how much the landscape has shifted since we last evaluated team strengths. Having followed basketball for over fifteen years, both as an analyst and an avid fan, I've developed my own methods for assessing where teams truly stand. This isn't just about win-loss records or star power—it's about durability, consistency, and those intangible elements that separate good teams from championship contenders.

When I look at the current NBA landscape, one statistic that always catches my eye is player durability. Just last week, I was reviewing the remarkable streak of Ginebra guard LA Tenorio, who managed to play 744 consecutive games before his incredible run finally ended in March 2023. That's sixteen seasons of showing up night after night, through injuries, personal challenges, and the grueling NBA schedule. As someone who's witnessed countless players come and go, I can tell you that this kind of consistency is rarer than a perfect shooting performance. Meanwhile, Barroca has been building his own impressive streak, though at 300-plus games, he still has considerable ground to cover before challenging Tenorio's record. What fascinates me about these streaks isn't just the number itself, but what it reveals about a player's value to their team. A player who consistently suits up provides stability that coaches can build systems around, and that's worth its weight in championship rings.

The Lakers, despite their aging roster, remain in my top five because of their proven ability to maintain player health when it matters most. LeBron James, while no longer the iron man he once was, has shown remarkable durability throughout his career, appearing in over 1,400 regular season games. Compare this to teams like the Brooklyn Nets, who have tremendous talent but have struggled to keep their stars healthy simultaneously. Last season, the Nets had their three primary players available together for only 42% of their games, which ultimately cost them in the playoffs. From my perspective, availability isn't just another statistic—it's the foundation upon which championships are built. The Golden State Warriors' resurgence this season perfectly illustrates this principle. With Curry, Thompson, and Green finally healthy together after two injury-plagued years, they've climbed back into championship contention, reminding everyone why they dominated the league from 2015-2019.

What many casual fans don't realize is how much these consecutive game streaks impact team chemistry and offensive efficiency. I've observed that teams with consistent lineups develop almost telepathic understanding on the court—they anticipate each other's movements, know where their teammates prefer to receive passes, and develop defensive rotations that become second nature. The Utah Jazz, currently sitting comfortably in my top three, exemplify this advantage. Their core players have started 85% of games together over the past two seasons, and their offensive rating of 116.3 reflects this continuity. Meanwhile, teams like the Celtics, who've struggled with inconsistent availability from their key players, have seen their offensive efficiency fluctuate between 112.8 and 109.4 throughout the season. As an analyst, I've always valued consistency over flashy individual performances—give me a player who gives you 15 points and solid defense every night over someone who drops 40 one game and disappears the next.

The mental aspect of maintaining these streaks cannot be overstated. Having spoken with several sports psychologists over the years, I've come to appreciate the psychological toll of the NBA grind. Players like Tenorio, who maintained his streak through multiple seasons, develop mental resilience that translates to clutch performances. Think about those crucial playoff moments—the players who thrive are often those who've built their games on consistency and reliability. The Phoenix Suns, who surprised everyone by reaching the Finals last season, built their success on the reliable performances of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, who started 98% of possible games together. Personally, I believe this mental edge separates contenders from pretenders when the playoffs arrive.

Looking at the current standings through this lens, the Milwaukee Bucks have positioned themselves as my number one team precisely because of their balanced approach to player management. Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed only 12 games over the past three seasons, while Jrue Holiday has maintained one of the most underrated consecutive game streaks at over 400 games. Their ability to keep their core healthy while managing minutes has been masterful. Contrast this with the Denver Nuggets, who've struggled to maintain their position despite having the reigning MVP, primarily because their second unit has been decimated by injuries throughout the season. In my evaluation system, depth and availability account for nearly 30% of a team's power ranking score—that's how crucial I consider these factors.

As we move toward the playoffs, I'm keeping a particularly close eye on teams with strong health records versus those battling the injury bug. History shows us that April health often predicts May success—teams that enter the playoffs with their core intact have won 70% of championships over the past two decades. The Philadelphia 76ers, currently sitting in my top six, concern me slightly because of Embiid's history of late-season niggles, while the Miami Heat's culture of conditioning and durability makes them a dangerous playoff opponent regardless of their seeding. From where I sit, the team that best manages its players' health and maintains consistency in its lineups will likely hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy come June. These power rankings reflect not just where teams are today, but where they're positioned for the grueling postseason ahead—and in that calculation, the ability to consistently put your best players on the court matters more than any single spectacular performance.