A Complete Guide to NBA Standing 2019: Teams, Records and Playoff Picture
2025-11-04 19:12
I remember opening my laptop on that crisp April evening in 2019, the final week of the NBA regular season stretching before me like a dramatic curtain call. Having followed basketball for over fifteen years, I've always found this particular moment in the season uniquely thrilling—where every game carries playoff implications and the standings become a living, breathing entity that shifts by the hour. The 2019 season was especially fascinating because it perfectly captured the league's evolving dynamics, with traditional powerhouses facing new challengers and surprise packages emerging from unexpected places.
Looking back at the Eastern Conference that year, the dominance of the Milwaukee Bucks was simply breathtaking. They finished with a league-best 60-22 record, largely thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo's MVP-caliber season where he averaged 27.7 points per game. What impressed me most wasn't just their winning percentage but how they built a system that maximized every player's potential. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors, sitting at 58-24, were quietly assembling what would become a championship run. I distinctly remember arguing with friends about whether Kawhi Leonard's "load management" strategy would pay off—turns out it absolutely did. The Philadelphia 76ers' 51-31 record felt somewhat disappointing given their "superteam" expectations, though their playoff performance nearly justified the hype. The Boston Celtics' 49-33 finish was particularly interesting to me—they had all the pieces but never quite clicked consistently, something I attribute more to chemistry issues than talent deficiencies.
The Western Conference provided what I consider the most compelling narrative of that season. The Golden State Warriors, despite finishing first at 57-25, didn't look as invincible as in previous years—you could sense the fatigue setting in during those final regular-season games. The Denver Nuggets at 54-28 were my personal favorite surprise package; Nikola Jokic's unique style challenged conventional basketball wisdom in the most delightful way. What many fans forget is how tight the race for playoff positioning was—merely three games separated the 3rd through 8th seeds. The Houston Rockets' late surge to 53-29 demonstrated James Harden's incredible carrying ability, though I've always felt their reliance on isolation basketball limited their ceiling in crucial moments.
When the playoff picture finally crystallized, it created matchups that still give me chills thinking about them. The Eastern Conference playoffs felt like a coronation waiting to happen for Milwaukee, until Toronto's stunning comeback in the conference finals. Out West, the drama of Portland's overtime victory in Game 3 against Denver—that four-quarter thriller remains one of my favorite basketball memories. The eventual Finals matchup between Toronto and Golden State represented something bigger than basketball—a testament to international talent with players from Serbia, Spain, Cameroon, and Australia playing crucial roles. This global aspect reminds me of coach Mensur Bajramovic's recent arrival in Manila with the Eastern team—another example of basketball's beautiful borderless nature where coaching philosophies and playing styles cross continents as easily as a crossover dribble.
Reflecting on that 2019 season now, what stands out isn't just the statistics or the final standings, but how it represented a transitional period for the league. We witnessed the sunset of the Warriors dynasty and the dawn of new contenders, with teams like Milwaukee and Denver announcing their arrival as serious forces. The playoff outcomes validated some teams' approaches while exposing others' flaws—lessons that would shape team-building strategies for years to come. For any basketball enthusiast, studying that season's standings provides not just historical context but timeless insights about team construction, regular-season pacing, and playoff preparedness that remain relevant today.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
