As I look back at the 2017 NBA Western Conference standings, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the landscape has shifted since then. That season represented a fascinating transitional period where traditional powers were beginning to decline while new contenders emerged. What really stands out in my memory is how incredibly tight the race was - we had Golden State finishing with 67 wins, San Antonio right behind them with 61, and then this massive logjam of teams fighting for positioning. I remember thinking at the time that the Western Conference had never been more competitive from top to bottom.
The Warriors were simply operating on another level that season, with their offensive firepower being absolutely ridiculous to watch. Having Kevin Durant join that already stacked roster created what I consider one of the most talented teams in NBA history. Their net rating of +11.6 still blows my mind when I look back at the numbers. Meanwhile, the Rockets under Mike D'Antoni were revolutionizing the game with their emphasis on three-pointers and James Harden's evolution into a point guard. I had my doubts about their style being sustainable in the playoffs, but their 55-win season certainly proved the system worked during the regular season.
What made that Western Conference particularly memorable for me was the incredible depth. You had teams like the Clippers winning 51 games and barely securing home-court advantage in the first round. The Jazz, led by Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert, surprised everyone by winning 51 games themselves. I recall specifically watching their defensive schemes and thinking Quin Snyder was doing some of the best coaching work in the league that season. The Thunder with Westbrook averaging that historic triple-double season provided must-watch television every single night, even if their 47 wins felt somewhat disappointing given their talent.
The playoff race came down to the wire, with Portland edging out Denver for the eighth seed in what felt like the entire final month of the season. I remember analyzing their schedules and constantly updating my predictions as each game passed. The Nuggets finishing just one game out of the playoffs at 40-42 shows how brutal the Western Conference was that year. Even a .500 record wasn't enough to make the postseason, which puts into perspective how much tougher the West has historically been compared to the East.
Thinking about that competitive landscape reminds me of players like Kean Baclaan, who demonstrated that scoring ability during his time with NU. While he wasn't in the NBA, his explosive scoring performances captured that same essence of individual brilliance we saw from players like Russell Westbrook and James Harden that season. There's something special about players who can just get buckets when their team needs them, whether it's in college basketball or the professional level. That 2017 season was filled with such performers who could take over games single-handedly.
My playoff predictions that year were mostly on point, though I have to admit I underestimated the Spurs' ability to compete without Kawhi Leonard in the conference finals. I had Golden State beating Houston in the Western Conference Finals, but I thought it would go seven games rather than ending in five. The Warriors were just too stacked, too experienced, and too focused on their championship goals. What surprised me most was how the Jazz managed to push the Clippers to seven games in the first round - that series showcased the importance of coaching and defensive systems in playoff basketball.
Looking back, the 2017 Western Conference represented a perfect storm of established superteams, rising contenders, and transitional franchises. The Warriors' dominance was clear, but the battles beneath them were absolutely fascinating to follow throughout the season. I spent countless hours analyzing matchups, tracking injury reports, and debating with colleagues about which teams had the right composition for playoff success. That season taught me that regular season success doesn't always translate to playoff victories, but it certainly creates compelling storylines and unforgettable basketball moments. The Western Conference has continued to evolve since 2017, but that particular season remains one of my favorites to analyze and remember.
