Looking back at the 2017 Western Conference standings, I still remember how unpredictable that season felt—almost like watching a high-stakes chess match where every move mattered until the very last day. As someone who’s followed the NBA for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen such a tight race for playoff positioning. The phrase "Nasa rebuilding pa kami ngayon, pero 'yung papaano sila mag-commit, iba talaga" comes to mind—it’s a line that, loosely translated, speaks to teams in rebuilding phases showing extraordinary commitment. And honestly, that’s exactly what defined the West that year. Teams like the Warriors and Spurs were powerhouses, no doubt, but it was the gritty, mid-tier squads—the ones supposedly retooling—that made the playoff chase unforgettable.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Golden State Warriors clinched the top seed with a staggering 67 wins, and frankly, they made it look effortless at times. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were just unstoppable, blending skill with a level of chemistry you don’t see often. But what really stood out to me was how the San Antonio Spurs, right behind them with 61 wins, embodied that idea of unwavering commitment. Even without a flashy superteam, Gregg Popovich’s system and Kawhi Leonard’s two-way dominance kept them in contention. I’ve always admired teams that prioritize culture over chaos, and the Spurs were the epitome of that. Then there were the Houston Rockets, sitting comfortably in third with 55 wins, thanks to James Harden’s MVP-caliber season. Mike D’Antoni’s offensive schemes were a joy to watch—they played with a pace and precision that felt revolutionary.
But the real drama unfolded further down the standings. The race for the lower seeds was an absolute dogfight, with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies fighting tooth and nail. Russell Westbrook’s historic triple-double season—averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists—single-handedly carried the Thunder to the sixth seed. I’ll admit, I’m biased toward players who leave everything on the court, and Westbrook’s ferocity was something special. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies, often overlooked, grinded their way to the seventh spot with 43 wins. They weren’t the most talented roster, but their grit-and-grind mentality reminded me of that rebuilding spirit—the kind where you commit to a identity, even if the wins don’t come easy. On the flip side, teams like the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers snuck into the playoffs with 40 and 41 wins respectively, showing just how thin the margin for error was. I remember thinking at the time, if even one of those teams had stumbled, the entire landscape could’ve shifted.
Of course, not every story had a happy ending. The New Orleans Pelicans, despite Anthony Davis putting up 28 points and 11 rebounds per game, missed the cut with a 34-48 record. It’s frustrating to see talent wasted, and I’ve always felt they underutilized their roster that year. Similarly, the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns languished near the bottom, with 32 and 24 wins apiece, highlighting how rebuilding without clear direction leads nowhere. Reflecting on it now, the 2017 West was a masterclass in competitive balance—well, as balanced as it gets when you have superteams looming over everyone. The playoffs eventually saw the Warriors sweep their way to the Finals, but for me, the real thrill was in the regular-season battles. Those final rankings weren’t just numbers; they told stories of resilience, like the Jazz overachieving with 51 wins, or the Clippers fighting to stay relevant. In the end, it’s seasons like these that remind you why basketball is more than just wins and losses—it’s about how teams commit to the journey, rebuilds and all.
