As I sit down to compile the definitive NBA player rankings for 2017, I can't help but reflect on what makes a truly elite performer in basketball. Having followed the league for over fifteen years, I've witnessed countless players rise and fall, but only a select few reach that rarefied air where they become legends of the game. This year's rankings reflect not just statistical dominance but that intangible quality that separates great players from historic ones. Much like that iconic moment in boxing history when trainer Eddie Futch refused to let Joe Frazier continue against Muhammad Ali, sometimes greatness is defined by knowing when someone has given their absolute all.
When I look at LeBron James maintaining his throne as basketball's undisputed king, I'm reminded of that brutal 1975 fight where Frazier's eyes were so swollen he could barely see. LeBron has carried similar burdens throughout his career, playing through injuries that would sideline most athletes while maintaining phenomenal production. His 2016-17 season was particularly remarkable - averaging 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists while shooting 54.8% from the field. What many don't realize is that he played through wrist and back issues that would have ended most players' seasons early. Like Frazier pushing through fourteen rounds against Ali, LeBron's resilience defines his greatness as much as his talent does.
The debate around Stephen Curry versus Kevin Durant for the second spot genuinely had me torn. Having covered both players since their rookie years, I've seen their evolution firsthand. Durant's move to Golden State created one of the most dominant teams in NBA history, but it also changed how we evaluate individual greatness within superteams. Curry's impact on the game extends beyond statistics - he revolutionized how basketball is played at every level. His mere presence on the court creates opportunities that don't show up in traditional box scores. Meanwhile, Durant's efficiency numbers were absolutely staggering - 53.7% from the field, 37.5% from three, and 87.5% from the line while averaging 25.1 points. I ultimately gave Durant the slight edge because his two-way impact felt more comprehensive throughout the season.
What fascinates me about ranking players is how context shapes performance. Russell Westbrook's historic triple-double season perfectly illustrates this phenomenon. Averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists deserves recognition regardless of team success, but his 42.5% shooting efficiency and high turnover rate (5.4 per game) created legitimate questions about his overall impact. I placed him fourth behind Kawhi Leonard, which might surprise some readers, but having watched Leonard evolve into arguably the league's best two-way player, his value to the Spurs was immeasurable. The way Leonard methodically dismantles opponents reminds me of how Ali systematically broke down Frazier over those fourteen rounds - it's not always about flash, but precision and timing.
The middle tier of my rankings features fascinating cases like James Harden, who transformed into a point guard and nearly won MVP, and Anthony Davis, whose per-game numbers (28.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) were phenomenal but couldn't lift his team to meaningful success. Having visited New Orleans multiple times during the season, I witnessed firsthand how Davis's supporting cast limited his ability to compete at the highest level. It's reminiscent of how even Frazier's incredible heart and determination couldn't overcome Ali's technical superiority when his body began failing him. Sometimes individual brilliance simply isn't enough in team sports.
As we look toward the future of these rankings, what strikes me is how the criteria for elite status continues evolving. The analytics revolution has changed how we value efficiency and impact, while the eye test still matters for those intangible qualities that statistics can't capture. My personal philosophy has always valued two-way players who make their teammates better, which is why I tend to favor complete players over one-dimensional scorers. The 2017 season gave us one of the most talented collections of players in recent memory, each bringing unique skills that made ranking them both challenging and rewarding. Just as that historic Ali-Frazier fight remains debated decades later, I suspect basketball fans will be discussing these rankings for years to come.
