As I sit down to analyze the current NBA landscape in 2021, I can't help but reflect on how durability and consistency often separate good teams from truly dominant ones. Watching the league this season, I've noticed something fascinating - while superstars capture headlines, it's the relentless grind of consecutive games that often builds championship-caliber teams. This reminds me of an incredible statistic from international basketball that puts our current NBA discussions into perspective. LA Tenorio of Ginebra recently snapped his consecutive games streak at 744 appearances, a record that absolutely blows my mind when you consider the physical toll professional athletes endure. That's nearly a decade of showing up game after game without missing a single one - a testament to both physical resilience and mental fortitude that few athletes ever achieve.
Looking at the current NBA power rankings, the teams dominating aren't necessarily the ones with the most talented rosters on paper, but rather those with players who consistently suit up night after night. The Utah Jazz, for instance, have surprised everyone this season with their remarkable consistency. Donovan Mitchell has been absolutely electric, averaging 26.4 points per game while rarely missing time due to injury. Their system relies on everyone being available and executing their roles perfectly, much like how Tenorio's record required him to perform at a high level through 744 consecutive contests. The Jazz's success isn't flashy, but it's built on the kind of reliability that championship teams are made of.
The Phoenix Suns represent another fascinating case study in sustained excellence. Chris Paul, even at 36 years old, continues to defy Father Time with his ironman approach to the game. While he hasn't approached Tenorio's incredible streak, his availability has been crucial to Phoenix's ascent. What impresses me most about the Suns is how they've built a culture where players take pride in their availability. Devin Booker has missed only 12 games over the past three seasons combined, and that kind of reliability creates chemistry that simply can't be manufactured in practice. When I watch the Suns play, I see a team that understands the value of showing up every single night, much like Tenorio did for all those years in the PBA.
Now, let's talk about the Brooklyn Nets - the team everyone loves to analyze but can't quite figure out. On paper, they're arguably the most talented team I've seen in years, with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving forming a historic big three. But here's where that Tenorio statistic really puts things into perspective - Brooklyn's biggest challenge hasn't been talent, but availability. Through the first half of the season, their three stars had played together in fewer than 20 games due to various injuries and personal absences. This creates a fascinating dynamic where pure talent meets the practical reality of needing players to actually be on the court. In my view, this is why teams like the Jazz and Suns have been more consistently dominant despite having less celebrated rosters.
The Philadelphia 76ers present another compelling story, with Joel Embiid having an MVP-caliber season when healthy. But that "when healthy" qualifier is exactly what separates truly dominant teams from contenders. Embiid has never played more than 64 games in a season, which makes Tenorio's 744 consecutive games seem almost supernatural in comparison. What's remarkable about Philadelphia's success is how they've built systems that can withstand the occasional absence of their superstar, though I remain skeptical about their championship viability if Embiid can't maintain better availability through the playoffs.
What strikes me about this season's power rankings is how they reveal the evolving nature of team dominance in the modern NBA. The traditional superteams built around two or three superstars are being challenged by deeper, more reliable rosters where the whole genuinely seems greater than the sum of its parts. The Denver Nuggets, for instance, have remained competitive despite Jamal Murray's season-ending injury because Nikola Jokic has been an ironman, missing only 7 games over the past three seasons. That kind of reliability creates stability that allows teams to weather storms that would sink less consistent rosters.
As we approach the playoffs, I'm increasingly convinced that the teams that will make deep runs aren't necessarily the most talented, but the most available. The Milwaukee Bucks have quietly put together another strong season largely because Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed only 15 games over the past three years. That consistency creates rhythm and understanding that simply can't be developed when key players are in and out of the lineup. Watching Giannis play, I'm reminded that true dominance isn't about spectacular highlights alone - it's about providing those highlights night after night after night.
The Lakers present perhaps the most cautionary tale about the limits of pure talent. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis missing significant time due to injuries, the defending champions have struggled to find any consistent rhythm. This reinforces what that incredible Tenorio statistic teaches us - availability might not be the most glamorous attribute, but it's often the difference between good teams and great ones. In my years covering the league, I've never seen a championship team that didn't have key players who consistently answered the bell game after game.
Looking at the complete picture of the 2021 NBA season, the teams dominating the power rankings share a common thread beyond mere talent - they have players who embrace the grind of the 72-game schedule. The Clippers, despite Kawhi Leonard's load management approach, have remained near the top because Paul George has been available for 85% of their games and role players like Marcus Morris have been ironmen. This balanced approach to roster construction seems to be the new blueprint for regular-season success.
As we move toward the postseason, I'm keeping a close eye on which teams have built the durability to withstand the playoff grind. History suggests that the teams with players who have proven they can handle consecutive games without breaking down often have the edge when the intensity ramps up. That Tenorio record of 744 consecutive games, while from a different league, serves as a powerful reminder that the greatest ability any athlete can possess might just be availability. The teams currently dominating the NBA understand this fundamental truth better than anyone.