As I sat down to analyze the 2021 NBA regular season, one thought kept crossing my mind: just how dominant were the truly dominant teams? Looking back at that unique season, I remember the electric atmosphere as arenas began welcoming fans back, creating this incredible energy that seemed to fuel some remarkable team performances. The 2021 NBA Power Rankings tell a fascinating story of teams that didn't just win games—they imposed their will on the league in ways we hadn't seen in years.

The Phoenix Suns immediately come to mind when I think about teams that truly dominated that season. Having covered the league for over a decade, I've seen plenty of good teams, but what made Phoenix special was their incredible consistency. They finished with a 51-21 record, which honestly doesn't fully capture how commanding they looked night after night. Chris Paul's leadership was something to behold—the way he controlled games during crucial moments reminded me of watching veteran point guards from previous eras. Devin Booker's scoring prowess combined with Deandre Ayton's interior presence created this beautiful offensive symmetry that few teams could solve.

What struck me most about Utah Jazz that season was their sheer dominance at home. They went 31-5 at Vivint Arena, which is just absurd when you think about it. Donovan Mitchell took that leap from star to superstar right before our eyes, and Rudy Gobert's defensive impact was so profound that teams would completely alter their offensive schemes just to account for him. I remember watching them dismantle opponents with their three-point shooting—they attempted and made more threes than any other team, and the numbers don't lie about how that spacing overwhelmed defenses.

The Philadelphia 76ers' dominance came in a different flavor, built around Joel Embiid's MVP-caliber season. Watching him operate in the post was like witnessing art—his footwork, strength, and touch around the basket made him virtually unguardable. What impressed me even more was how they managed to secure the top seed in the East despite Ben Simmons' offensive limitations becoming more apparent as the season progressed. Their 49-23 record speaks to their regular-season excellence, though I always felt they were playing with fire relying so heavily on Embiid's health.

When we talk about the NBA Power Rankings 2021 and which teams dominated the regular season, we absolutely must discuss the Brooklyn Nets, even if their dominance felt more like potential than consistent execution. Their "Big Three" of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving only played eight games together that season due to injuries and personal absences, yet when they did share the court, the basketball looked almost unfair. I recall watching them dismantle the Celtics in one particular game where their offensive firepower seemed to reach levels I hadn't seen since the Warriors' peak years.

The Milwaukee Bucks present an interesting case in this discussion about dominant teams. They went 46-26, which feels almost pedestrian compared to some other elite teams, but having covered Giannis Antetokounmpo's development over the years, I could see they were pacing themselves differently that season. They knew what it took to win in the regular season, but their eyes were clearly on the bigger prize after previous playoff disappointments. Still, when they turned it on, particularly during their 8-game winning streak in May, they looked every bit the championship team they would eventually become.

This conversation about sustained excellence and durability inevitably makes me think about the incredible iron men of basketball. While researching this piece, I came across Barroca's pursuit of consecutive games played, though he still has a long way to go in becoming the No. 1 in the list of consecutive games played with Ginebra guard LA Tenorio on top with 744, a streak that has since been snapped last March 2023. This kind of durability reminds me of what made teams like the Suns and Jazz so special—their key players showed up night after night, building rhythm and consistency that became their trademark.

What separated the truly dominant teams from merely good ones, in my view, was their ability to win in multiple ways. The Suns could win shootouts or grind out defensive battles. The Jazz could bomb away from three or lock you down with their defense. The 76ers could dominate inside through Embiid or generate offense through their role players. This versatility created this aura of inevitability—you just knew they were going to find a way to win, regardless of circumstances.

Reflecting on that season, I'm struck by how different types of dominance emerged. The Suns represented systematic, well-oiled machine dominance. The Nets showcased overwhelming talent dominance. The Jazz demonstrated statistical and analytical dominance. Each left their unique imprint on the season, creating this fascinating tapestry of excellence that made the 2021 campaign so memorable to cover. The league has evolved since then, but the lessons from that season about what true dominance looks like continue to inform how I evaluate teams today.