NBA Preseason Standings 2021-22: Complete Team Rankings and Analysis

As I sat down to analyze the 2021-22 NBA preseason standings, I couldn't help but draw parallels to that fascinating La Salle championship run in Japan. Watching La Salle's Monday victory that put them on the brink of becoming the first-ever repeat champion in the three-year history of that invitational tournament reminded me how preseason performances can sometimes foreshadow remarkable regular season achievements. The NBA preseason, much like that Japan tournament, gives us our first real glimpse into which teams have made significant improvements and which might struggle when the games truly matter.

Looking at the complete team rankings from last year's preseason, what struck me immediately was how the Brooklyn Nets positioned themselves at the top with a perfect 4-0 record. Having watched preseason basketball for over fifteen years, I've learned that undefeated preseason records don't always translate to regular season dominance, but in Brooklyn's case, their 118.3 points per game average while holding opponents to just 104.5 points per contest demonstrated a level of both offensive firepower and defensive commitment that frankly surprised me. The way Kevin Durant and James Harden moved together on court during those preseason games reminded me of championship-caliber teams I've seen in the past, though their eventual playoff disappointment shows why we can't put too much stock in preseason results alone.

The Golden State Warriors finished preseason with a solid 4-1 record, and having followed Stephen Curry's career since his Davidson days, I sensed something special brewing with that team. Their ball movement was exceptional even in meaningless games, averaging 28.7 assists per contest, which told me Steve Kerr had them buying into the system from day one. What impressed me most was Jordan Poole's emergence – the kid averaged 22.4 points in preseason and looked every bit like the scoring threat Golden State needed alongside Curry. I remember telling colleagues at the time that Poole might be the most improved player in the league, and his regular season performance certainly validated that preseason observation.

Now, the Los Angeles Lakers presented what I considered the most fascinating case study. They stumbled to a 0-6 preseason record, and while many analysts dismissed it as veteran teams not taking preseason seriously, I saw genuine reasons for concern. Their offensive chemistry was nonexistent, they turned the ball over 18.3 times per game, and the much-hyped Russell Westbrook integration looked downright awkward. Having witnessed superteam formations throughout NBA history, I've learned that poor preseason performances from veteran-laden teams sometimes indicate deeper issues that take months to resolve, which unfortunately proved true for the Lakers throughout much of the regular season.

The Chicago Bulls really caught my eye with their 4-0 preseason showing. The addition of DeMar DeRozan, who many including myself thought was past his prime, turned out to be one of the best moves of the offseason. Watching him average 19.8 points in just 26.3 minutes per preseason game showed me he still had plenty left in the tank. The Bulls' defensive intensity during preseason, particularly from Alex Caruso who averaged 2.5 steals per game, signaled to me that this wasn't the same mediocre Bulls team we'd grown accustomed to watching.

What fascinated me about the Milwaukee Bucks' approach was their clear lack of interest in preseason results, finishing 1-4 while resting their key players extensively. As defending champions, they understood that health mattered more than momentum, and frankly, I respect that approach. Having covered multiple championship teams throughout my career, I've noticed that established contenders often use preseason purely for conditioning and experimentation rather than chasing wins.

The Phoenix Suns, coming off their NBA Finals appearance, went 3-1 in preseason while clearly working on integrating new pieces rather than replicating their successful system from the previous year. Chris Paul played just 21.4 minutes per game, which told me Monty Williams was prioritizing his veteran point guard's health over everything else – a smart move given how the Suns would eventually secure the best regular season record.

Among the younger teams, the Memphis Grizzlies' 4-1 preseason performance really stood out to me. Ja Morant looked like he had taken another leap, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 assists while playing with incredible confidence. Having watched Morant since his Murray State days, I believed he was poised for a breakout season, and his preseason dominance against starting-caliber defenders confirmed my suspicions.

The preseason also revealed teams that might struggle, with the Houston Rockets' 1-4 record highlighting their rebuilding status. Their young core showed flashes – particularly Jalen Green's athleticism – but their defensive disorganization and 21.3 turnovers per game indicated a long season ahead, which unfortunately proved accurate.

Reflecting on the complete preseason standings now with the benefit of hindsight, what strikes me is how certain teams used those games to build chemistry and establish identities while others treated them as formalities. The teams that approached preseason with clear developmental goals – like Chicago, Golden State, and Memphis – generally carried that momentum into strong regular season starts. Meanwhile, teams that either overperformed without substance or clearly didn't invest effort often needed weeks into the regular season to find their footing.

Just as La Salle's consecutive strong performances in that Japan tournament signaled their potential to make history, the NBA teams that showed consistent purpose and improvement during the 2021-22 preseason often laid the groundwork for successful campaigns. While we must always remember that preseason results don't count in the standings, they do provide valuable insights into team development, player growth, and coaching strategies that can help predict regular season trajectories. The key is knowing what to look for beyond the final scores – the rotational patterns, the defensive communication, the offensive sets, and the body language of both veterans and young players. These subtleties often tell the real story that the standings alone cannot capture.