Biggest Surprises in the 2020 NBA Standings

No one expected such a wild rollercoaster in the 2020 NBA season. I remember sitting down in October, eagerly anticipating how the usual suspects would dominate as per the predictions. Yet, the biggest chuck of surprise didn’t come from the usual top brass like the Lakers or the Bucks; it arrived from a mix of underdog stories and unexpected climbs in the standings that left us all reeling. Top of my list has to be the Miami Heat clinching the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Who would have thought they’d achieve a regular-season record of 44-29, eventually catapulting them into the Finals?

The Oklahoma City Thunder, too, shattered expectations in a manner akin to a plot twist in the final chapter of a grueling novel. With Chris Paul spearheading a ragtag squad, nobody predicted they’d clinch the fifth spot in the Western Conference with a 44-28 record. Can you believe that at the start of the season, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gave them just a 0.2% chance to make the playoffs? Defying such odds, the Thunder went on to lose by a whisker in a dramatic seven-game first-round series against the Houston Rockets. It felt surreal watching these guys punch above their weight.

Speaking of the Rockets, they had their own batch of baffling moments. The curious case of Russell Westbrook’s new role alongside James Harden kept analysts scratching their heads. They finished fourth in the Western Conference standings with a 44-28 tally. Everyone expected the dynamic duo to obliterate defenses, given their combined superstar wattage. However, their performance felt inconsistent, like an engine that occasionally misfired despite having the raw horsepower. You can chalk it up to the sheer difficulty of managing two high-usage players in one team.

I mean, would you have believed at the start of the season if someone told you the Philadelphia 76ers would finish at a lowly sixth place in the Eastern Conference? They had a roster stacked with talent: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Al Horford, and Tobias Harris. Yet they barely made it with a 43-30 record. Injuries, of course, played a huge role in their disappointing run, but it raised questions about their roster’s fit and chemistry. Everyone expected them to deliver a top-three finish at least, making their standing a glaring surprise.

Another interesting team to keep in the spotlight was the Memphis Grizzlies. Finishing ninth in the Western Conference with a 34-39 record left fans both optimistic and heartbroken. Ja Morant pulled off a stunning rookie campaign, but their mid-season slump shoved them out of playoff contention. They were hanging by the thread and had the potential for an eighth seed. If only Jaren Jackson Jr. had been fit for the entire season, things might have gone differently. This season served as a teaser for what might come next for them.

The Phoenix Suns turned heads for an entirely different reason. Despite finishing 10th in the Western Conference, their 8-0 run in the NBA bubble became the talk of the town. How incredible was it watching Devin Booker and crew dominate in Orlando but still miss the playoffs? They registered a final record of 34-39, causing fans to wonder about the “what ifs.” Missing the playoffs by a thin margin had Mars-like gravity, considering Booker averaged over 26 points per game. Their future definitely looks bright, but gosh, what a season to have such a coin-toss fate! For more detailed standings visit the 2020 nba standings.

Let’s pause and look at the Atlanta Hawks for a minute. They were another team that, despite having Trae Young as their offensive magnet, couldn’t quite get it together. Ending the season 14th in the Eastern Conference with a brutal 20-47 record, it’s perplexing. Analysts anticipated a more promising year, given Young’s dazzling performances, averaging 29.6 points per game. Yet, it felt like the supporting cast could never quite keep up, toppling my initial high hopes for them.

The Golden State Warriors, a team used to setting historical benchmarks, struck a historical low. Can you even fathom the Warriors, plagued by injuries and missing key players like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, ending with a league-worst 15-50 record? From soaring heights of championship glory to the depths of rebuilding, the stark contrast was enough to give their fanbase collective whiplash. It served as a reminder of how quickly the dynastic waves of the NBA could ebb and flow.

On the flip side, Toronto Raptors deserve a tip of the hat. A lot of pundits expected them to adopt a rebuilding phase after Kawhi Leonard’s departure. But guess what? They landed the second spot in the East with an impressive 53-19 record. Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry showcased sheer grit and determination, and in many ways, it felt like they were out to prove a point: they weren’t just “Kawhi’s team.” Their smooth transition and competitiveness without Leonard baffled the doubters.

Lastly, and decidedly not least, the Dallas Mavericks were a pleasant surprise. Luka Dončić turned into a bonafide superstar almost overnight. They finished seventh in the Western Conference with a 43-32 record, miles above what was expected for such a young team. Dončić was remarkable, averaging nearly a triple-double with 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. The Mavs’ resurgence felt like a breath of fresh air, showing that the team-building process could yield fruit ahead of schedule.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top