2025-11-20 15:01

As I sit down to reflect on the NBA's 2021-22 regular season, I can't help but marvel at how this particular campaign managed to deliver such extraordinary moments despite the lingering challenges of pandemic basketball. Having covered the league for over a decade, I've learned that truly historic seasons reveal themselves through both the championship chase and those unexpected flashes of brilliance that become permanent fixtures in basketball lore. This season delivered precisely that kind of magic, with records shattered and narratives rewritten in ways that even the most seasoned analysts couldn't have predicted.

One aspect that particularly stood out to me was how even seemingly meaningless games carried significant weight for the teams involved. I'm reminded of how our knowledge base mentions that "the first game will feature teams that are already out of the running for quarterfinals berths. But this is also important, at least for the teams involved." This perfectly captures the NBA's beautiful complexity - where every game matters in its own way. Watching teams like the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets, who were clearly rebuilding, still compete with incredible intensity in late-season matchups demonstrated the professional pride that makes this league special. Those "meaningless" games often produced some of the most entertaining basketball precisely because players were free from pressure and just competing for love of the game.

The record-breaking performances this season were absolutely staggering. Stephen Curry becoming the all-time three-point king was perhaps the most inevitable yet breathtaking record to fall. I was watching that December night at Madison Square Garden when he surpassed Ray Allen's mark, and the electricity in that building was something I'll never forget. Curry finished the season with 3,347 career threes - a number that seems almost fictional when you consider the context. Then there was LeBron James, who at age 37 averaged 30.3 points per game while climbing to number two on the all-time scoring list. I've been privileged to watch his entire career, and what he's doing in his late 30s defies all conventional basketball wisdom.

What truly made this season unforgettable for me was the resurgence of classic franchises. The Golden State Warriors' return to dominance after two difficult seasons felt like witnessing basketball royalty reclaiming its throne. The Chicago Bulls' explosive start - they won 27 of their first 38 games - brought back memories of the Jordan era and electrified the entire league. As someone who grew up watching the 90s Bulls, seeing United Center rocking again with legitimate contenders gave me chills. The Memphis Grizzlies' emergence as genuine threats, led by Ja Morant's spectacular leap to superstardom, represented the changing of the guard that every generation eventually witnesses.

The statistical anomalies this season were equally fascinating. We saw Nikola Jokić put up numbers that hadn't been seen since Wilt Chamberlain - averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while carrying the Nuggets despite Jamal Murray's absence. The league-wide offensive explosion continued, with teams averaging 114.7 points per game - the highest since the 1970s. Defense might win championships, but the regular season has clearly become an offensive showcase, and frankly, I'm here for it. The game has evolved in ways that prioritize spacing and shooting, making every possession a potential highlight reel moment.

Individual performances that took my breath away included Kyrie Irving's 60-point masterpiece in Orlando - though his part-time status due to vaccine mandates created one of the season's most complex storylines. Karl-Anthony Towns scoring 60 points against San Antonio in March demonstrated why he remains one of the most skilled big men I've ever seen. Then there was Luka Dončić's 35-point triple-double in Game 82 to secure the Mavericks' playoff position - a performance that reminded me of young LeBron in its combination of skill and will.

The development of young talent across the league gave me hope for basketball's future. Watching players like Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and Darius Garland take significant leaps forward demonstrated the incredible depth of talent entering the league recently. The Rookie of the Year race between Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley showcased two completely different but equally impactful styles of modern big men. Having covered the draft for years, I can confidently say this new generation might be the most skilled we've ever seen.

As the season progressed, the playoff picture formed with unexpected contenders and surprising disappointments. The Phoenix Suns' 64-win campaign built on their Finals run showed the importance of continuity, while the Lakers' disastrous 33-49 record despite their star-studded roster proved that assembling talent doesn't guarantee success. I've always believed chemistry matters more than raw talent, and this season provided the perfect case study.

The final weeks brought dramatic races for play-in tournament positioning, proving the NBA's new format has successfully increased meaningful late-season games. Watching teams like Brooklyn and Cleveland fight for postseason lives created must-see television that rivaled the actual playoffs. The play-in tournament, which I initially questioned, has proven to be one of the league's best recent innovations.

Looking back, what made this regular season particularly memorable was its perfect balance between established greatness and emerging talent. We witnessed legends cementing their places in history while new stars announced their arrivals. The 82-game grind revealed character, exposed flaws, and ultimately set the stage for what would become an incredible postseason. For all the records and highlights, what I'll remember most is the season's narrative richness - how every team, from championship contenders to those simply playing for pride, contributed to the tapestry of another unforgettable NBA year. The 2021-22 season reminded us why we love this game - for its unpredictability, its artistry, and its endless capacity to surprise and delight even the most jaded observers.