Looking back at the 2017 Western Conference standings, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and admiration for how things unfolded that season. As someone who’s followed the NBA closely for over a decade, I’ve seen plenty of shifts in team dynamics, but that year felt particularly special. The West was stacked—no surprise there—but the way certain teams committed to their identity, even in rebuilding phases, reminded me of a quote I once heard: "Nasa rebuilding pa kami ngayon, pero ’yung papaano sila mag-commit, iba talaga." It translates to, "We’re still rebuilding, but the way they commit is really different." That phrase perfectly captures the spirit of teams like the Warriors and Spurs, who weren’t just playing games—they were building legacies.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Golden State Warriors dominated the conference with a staggering 67 wins. I remember thinking at the time that their chemistry was almost unreal. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant weren’t just stars; they were part of a system where everyone bought in, and that commitment showed in their relentless ball movement and defensive discipline. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs, with 61 wins, continued their quiet excellence under Gregg Popovich. Kawhi Leonard was a beast that year, averaging around 25 points per game, and their defense was as disciplined as ever. But what stood out to me was how teams like the Houston Rockets, led by James Harden’s MVP-caliber season, embraced a modern, three-point-heavy offense. They finished third with 55 wins, and I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first—until I saw how Mike D’Antoni’s system transformed them into a legitimate threat.
Then there were the surprises. The Utah Jazz, for instance, climbed to the fifth seed with 51 wins, thanks to Rudy Gobert’s defensive prowess and Gordon Hayward’s all-around game. I’ve always had a soft spot for underdog stories, and watching them grind out wins felt like a testament to what commitment can achieve, even without superstar names. On the flip side, the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double for the season—31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, if I recall correctly—grabbed the sixth seed. As thrilling as Westbrook’s heroics were, I couldn’t shake the feeling that their lack of depth would haunt them in the playoffs. And sure enough, they fell in the first round, which just goes to show that individual brilliance can only take you so far.
When it comes to playoff predictions, I’ll be honest: I had the Warriors winning it all from the start. Their depth, combined with that unwavering commitment to team basketball, made them nearly unstoppable. I predicted they’d sweep the Trail Blazers in the first round—which they did—and then handle the Jazz in five games. The Spurs, though, broke my heart a bit when they lost Kawhi Leonard to injury in the conference finals; I thought they had a real shot at pushing Golden State to seven games. As for dark horses, I was rooting for the Rockets to make a deep run, but their reliance on iso-ball eventually caught up with them in the semis. Reflecting on it now, the 2017 West wasn’t just about talent; it was about which teams could maintain that collective focus through adversity. In the end, the Warriors’ commitment to their system, much like that rebuilding quote suggests, set them apart—and honestly, it’s a lesson that still resonates in today’s game.
