NBA 2019 Standings: Which Teams Dominated the Regular Season?

As I sit here scrolling through the final NBA 2019 standings, I can't help but draw parallels to the boxing world. You see, I've been following both sports for over a decade, and there's something magical about dominance - whether it's in the basketball court or the boxing ring. Which brings me to that electrifying quote from Sean Gibbons about the Pacquiao-Barrios fight that's been living in my head rent-free: "LAS VEGAS - Sean Gibbons believes that the upcoming World Title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios will be a match that will be talked about in years to come." That exact same energy? That's what we witnessed during the NBA 2018-2019 regular season.

So which teams truly dominated the 2019 NBA regular season?

Let me tell you, watching the Milwaukee Bucks that season felt like witnessing prime Pacquiao in his glory days. They finished with a league-best 60-22 record, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was throwing down performances that made you jump out of your seat. Much like Gibbons' prediction about the Pacquiao-Barrios match becoming legendary, the Bucks' season was one for the history books - their style of play was so dominant that analysts are still studying it today. The way they controlled both ends of the court reminded me of how a veteran boxer controls the ring.

What made the Eastern Conference standings so remarkable?

Here's what fascinated me - the Toronto Raptors finished second at 58-24, but they had this quiet confidence about them. Kind of like how Barrios must have felt facing a legend like Pacquiao. Everyone was talking about the Bucks, but the Raptors were preparing their strategy, waiting for their moment. The gap between first and second was closer than people realized, setting up a playoff scenario that truly embodied Gibbons' notion of a fight that would be "talked about in years to come."

How about the Western Conference bloodbath?

Oh man, the West was absolutely brutal. Golden State finished first with 57 wins, but they never felt truly secure - kind of like how even the greatest champions have doubts before a title fight. What's interesting is that the top six teams in the West all won 50+ games, creating the kind of competitive intensity that Gibbons probably sees in the Pacquiao-Barrios matchup. I remember thinking at the time that the Western Conference playoff race felt like watching multiple title fights happening simultaneously.

Were there any surprise packages that season?

The LA Clippers winning 48 games without a single superstar was like watching an underdog boxer taking on heavyweights and winning. They played with this incredible cohesion that reminded me of how technical boxers can overcome pure power. And you know what? That Clippers team embodied the spirit of what makes sports great - the unexpected contenders who create matches that, to borrow Gibbons' words, "will be talked about in years to come."

What separated the true contenders from the pretenders?

Looking back, the teams that truly dominated shared something with champion boxers - they had multiple weapons. The Bucks had Giannis' freakish athleticism combined with strategic coaching, similar to how Pacquiao combines speed and power. The Raptors had Kawhi Leonard's two-way dominance, which I'd compare to a boxer who can both deliver knockout punches and defend brilliantly. These teams didn't just win - they left lasting impressions, creating seasons that became part of NBA lore.

How did home court advantage play into the standings?

This is where it gets really interesting. The top teams fought desperately for home court, understanding it could make all the difference in playoff matchups. The Bucks went 33-8 at home - that's championship-level dominance right there. It reminds me of how important venue selection is in boxing matches. When Gibbons talks about fights being remembered for years, he understands that the stage matters as much as the combatants.

What was the most impressive statistical performance?

James Harden's scoring barrage for Houston was something I'd never seen before - he averaged 36.1 points per game while leading the Rockets to 53 wins. Watching him was like seeing a boxer landing combinations nobody could defend. The Rockets finished fourth in the West, but Harden's individual season was the kind of performance that, much like legendary boxing matches, will be replayed and analyzed for decades.

Why does the 2019 NBA season still resonate today?

Because true dominance transcends seasons. The Bucks' systematic destruction of opponents, the Raptors' eventual championship run, the Warriors' last stand - these were basketball equivalents of the epic fights that define eras. When Sean Gibbons says the Pacquiao-Barrios fight will be remembered for years, he's talking about that special quality that separates great competitions from legendary ones. And honestly? That 2019 NBA season had that quality in spades. The standings tell one story, but the memories - those tell the real story of dominance, heartbreak, and basketball excellence that still gets basketball nerds like me excited years later.