The 2013 NBA season brought a lot of unexpected turns. Let’s start with the New York Knicks. Who would have thought they’d finish with a 54-28 record? Here’s a team that had struggled for a decade and suddenly found themselves second in the Eastern Conference. A huge part of their success came from Carmelo Anthony, who averaged 28.7 points per game, the highest in the league that year. Melo’s performance wasn’t just good; it was MVP-caliber.
Over in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors also shocked everyone. The Warriors finished 47-35, snagging the sixth seed. For a team that had only made the playoffs once in the previous 18 years, this was astonishing. This resurgence can be credited to the backcourt duo Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, dubbed the “Splash Brothers.” Curry, in particular, set an NBA record for most three-pointers made in a season with 272. His accuracy from beyond the arc was mind-blowing, shooting 45.3% from downtown.
The Los Angeles Lakers, however, were a big letdown. With a roster that included Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol, expectations were sky-high. They barely managed to scrape into the playoffs with a 45-37 record. Injuries to key players like Nash and Gasol hampered their efforts, and the chemistry between Kobe and Howard was non-existent. Losing in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs wasn’t just disappointing; it was a downright disaster for a team with a payroll of over $100 million.
Speaking of the Spurs, San Antonio demonstrated their trademark consistency. At 58-24, they finished as the second-best team in the West, just two games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tim Duncan seemed ageless, even at 36, averaging a solid 17.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili also played crucial roles, but Kawhi Leonard’s breakout season was the most pleasing surprise. He averaged 11.9 points and showed signs of becoming the next big star for the Spurs.
The Indiana Pacers also deserve mention. They finished 49-32, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference. Paul George emerged as the team’s clear leader following Danny Granger’s injury issues. George went on to average 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Roy Hibbert was a defensive powerhouse, and the team’s cohesion was top-notch. This unit played gritty, defensive-minded basketball, a throwback to the 90s Pacers.
On the flip side, the Chicago Bulls had a bittersweet season. Without Derrick Rose for the entire year due to his ACL tear, many wrote off the Bulls. Yet, they finished 45-37 and secured the fifth seed. That’s testament to Coach Tom Thibodeau’s defensive schemes and Joakim Noah’s all-around play. Noah averaged 11.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Luol Deng also stepped up, playing a league-high 38.7 minutes per game and averaging 16.5 points.
The Brooklyn Nets made headlines too. Finishing 49-33 after moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn, the Nets exceeded expectations. With Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez, they provided plenty of fireworks. However, it was their billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov who stole the show. His willingness to spend nearly $200 million in combined salaries and luxury taxes told everyone that the Nets were serious.
The Denver Nuggets were another surprise package. With a 57-25 record, they claimed the third seed in the Western Conference. What’s fascinating is they achieved this without a true superstar. Coach George Karl used a balanced approach, and the team had six players averaging double figures in scoring. The energetic play of Kenneth Faried and the scoring of Ty Lawson were major factors, but the team’s unity stole the limelight.
Seeing an underdog Philadelphia 76ers finish with a dismal 34-48 record wasn’t surprising, but what shocked everyone was how they got there. Trading for Andrew Bynum, they hoped he’d lead them to new heights. Instead, Bynum never played a single game all season due to lingering knee issues. What was supposed to be their revival turned into a nightmare as they watched their playoff hopes dissipate.
In the same Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat lived up to the hype. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh led the team to a franchise-record 66 wins. LeBron’s performance was otherworldly, averaging 26.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists while shooting 56.5% from the field. The Heat’s 27-game winning streak was the second longest in NBA history, and they dominated the regular season like few teams ever have.
To get a more detailed look at these stunning standing shifts, one should dive into the numbers and stories behind these teams. 2013 nba standings offer a snapshot of a season filled with excitement, disappointments, and jaw-dropping performances that made the 2013 NBA season unforgettable. From unexpected comebacks to shocking underperformances, it had everything a basketball fan could hope for.