I remember the 2017 NBA season quite vividly. It was a season full of surprises, incredible performances, and quite a bit of drama. The Golden State Warriors completely dominated that year, finishing with a staggering 67-15 record. That meant they won a mind-blowing 81.7% of their games. Watching them play was like seeing a well-oiled machine in action; everything just clicked. They had players like Stephen Curry, who seemed to hit three-pointers effortlessly, and Kevin Durant, who joined the team that year and seemed to fit in perfectly. I remember reading that Durant averaged an impressive 25.1 points per game. Imagine having two of the league's best shooters in the same team; it was almost unfair to the competition.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also had an incredible run in the Eastern Conference, finishing with a 51-31 record. That’s a solid 62.2% win rate. LeBron James was, as always, the focal point of the team. In his 14th season, he showed no signs of slowing down, averaging 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. It's insane to think about how he managed to maintain such high levels of productivity over so many years. LeBron playing all 82 games of the regular season was remarkable given his age and the physical demands of the sport. And when you think about it, having a player who can do everything on the court really raises your chances of winning games.
Then there was the Houston Rockets, who finished with a 55-27 record. James Harden had one of his best seasons, putting up insane numbers. Harden averaged 29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and an eye-popping 11.2 assists per game. He seemed like a man on a mission. With his unique ability to score and set up his teammates, he was a nightmare for opposing defenses. Watching him deploy his euro-step and step-back threes was almost mesmerizing. The Rockets also led the league in three-point attempts, a significant shift in playing style that emphasized perimeter shooting over traditional post play.
The Boston Celtics, led by an inspired Isaiah Thomas, had a standout season as well, finishing with a 53-29 record. Thomas was simply sensational, especially considering he’s only 5’9”. He averaged 28.9 points per game, which was second only to Russell Westbrook in the entire league. Talk about defying expectations. The Celtics also showed incredible team chemistry, and their defense was among the league's best, holding teams to an average of just 105.4 points per game.
Speaking of Westbrook, let’s not forget his historic season. The guy averaged a triple-double for the entire season—becoming the second player in NBA history to achieve such a feat since Oscar Robertson did it in the 1961-62 season. He averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. It was jaw-dropping to witness a player dominate in such a comprehensive manner. Westbrook’s performance was a talking point on every sports show, blog, and forum. Everyone was curious if he could sustain that high-energy performance throughout the season. Guess what? He did.
On the flip side, the New York Knicks had another disappointing season. They finished with a 31-51 record, winning only 38.8% of their games. Despite having a player like Kristaps Porzingis, who showed flashes of brilliance, the team couldn't seem to get its act together. The Knicks have been in a rebuilding phase for what feels like forever. It was another season of front-office turmoil, coaching changes, and overall instability.
Furthermore, the San Antonio Spurs, with their evergreen coach Gregg Popovich, continued to impress me by consistently performing at a high level. They ended the season with a 61-21 record, which equates to a 74.4% win rate. Kawhi Leonard, their silent assassin, was phenomenal throughout the season, averaging 25.5 points per game, along with his usual lockdown defense. He was truly a two-way player that could change the game both offensively and defensively. Popovich's ability to make the most out of his roster, no matter the composition, has always been something I admire greatly. The consistency and efficiency with which the Spurs play basketball are unmatched.
The season culminated in the playoffs, where the Warriors and Cavaliers once again met in the Finals. I remember it being dubbed as Part 3 of their rivalry. The Warriors ended up winning the series 4-1, with Kevin Durant taking home the Finals MVP trophy. His performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He averaged 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over the five games. The acquisition of Durant paid off massively, resulting in another championship for Golden State.
The 2017 season was a remarkable year for the NBA, full of almost cinematic moments and unbelievable achievements. From team dynamics to individual brilliance, it had everything a basketball fan could hope for. If you want to dive deeper into the specifics of the standings and stats, I found this [link](https://arenaplus.ph/) that offers a detailed breakdown. Take a look; it's worth the read.