Looking back at the 2017 Western Conference standings, I can still vividly recall the sheer intensity of that season. As someone who’s followed the NBA for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen such a tight race for playoff positioning—it felt like every single game mattered, especially from January onward. The Warriors, as expected, dominated with 67 wins, but what really stood out to me was how teams like the Spurs and Rockets refused to fade into the background. San Antonio quietly put together a 61-win campaign, while Houston’s offensive explosion under Mike D’Antoni made them must-watch television. I remember thinking at the time, "This might be one of the most balanced yet top-heavy conferences in recent memory."
What fascinates me, though, is how teams outside the obvious contenders approached the season. There’s a quote from an interview—I believe it was from a rebuilding team’s staff member—that stuck with me: "Nasa rebuilding pa kami ngayon, pero ’yung papaano sila mag-commit, iba talaga." That mindset, the idea of commitment during a rebuild, perfectly described squads like the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. They weren’t quite there yet, but you could see the foundation being laid. Nikola Jokić was already showing flashes of brilliance, and Karl-Anthony Towns averaged around 25 points per game—numbers that hinted at future dominance. Still, their defensive inconsistencies kept them just outside the playoff picture, finishing 9th and 11th respectively.
When it came to the playoffs, my prediction at the time was a Warriors vs. Spurs Western Conference Finals, and for the most part, I wasn’t too far off. Golden State’s firepower, with Curry, Durant, and Thompson, felt almost unfair. But I’ll admit, I underestimated the Rockets. James Harden’s MVP-level season, coupled with a supporting cast that included Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza, made them a legitimate threat. In hindsight, I should’ve given them more credit—they took the Warriors to six games in the second round, and I recall thinking, "If just a couple of those threes had fallen, we might be looking at a different outcome."
The middle of the pack, teams like the Clippers and Jazz, brought a fascinating dynamic. LA, with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, always seemed on the verge of something special but fell short—again. Utah, on the other hand, exceeded my expectations. Rudy Gobert’s Defensive Player of the Year-level impact and Gordon Hayward’s scoring made them a tough out. I had them pegged for 45 wins, but they hit 51, which honestly surprised me. It’s moments like those that remind me why I love analyzing this league—sometimes the underdogs just figure it out faster than you’d think.
As for the lower-tier teams—the Suns, Lakers, and Kings—it was clear they were playing the long game. Phoenix had Devin Booker’s 70-point game, which was spectacular but highlighted their defensive woes. The Lakers, well, they were in that awkward pre-LeBron phase, and Sacramento… let’s just say I wasn’t optimistic about their direction. But even there, you could see glimpses of potential, like Buddy Hield starting to find his rhythm post-trade.
Reflecting on it now, the 2017 West was a tale of tiers: the elite (Warriors, Spurs), the rising threats (Rockets, Thunder), and the hopeful rebuilders. My playoff predictions mostly held up, but what I’ll always remember is how every game felt like a playoff primer. If I had to pinpoint one takeaway, it’s that commitment during rebuilding phases—like that quote emphasized—can set the stage for future success. Just look at Denver now; they’re contenders, but it started back in seasons like this one.
