A Look Back at the 2017 NBA Western Conference Standings and Final Rankings
I still remember sitting in my living room during that thrilling 2017 NBA season, watching the Western Conference unfold like a dramatic novel where every chapter brought new surprises. The battle for playoff positioning was particularly intense that year, with teams jockeying for position until the final buzzer of the regular season. Golden State dominated with 67 wins, which honestly didn't surprise anyone given their stacked roster, while the Spurs quietly put together an impressive 61-win campaign of their own. What really captured my attention though was the tight race for those final playoff spots - the difference between making the postseason and going home often came down to just a couple of games.
Thinking about that competitive landscape reminds me of Kean Baclaan, that explosive guard from National University who could absolutely fill up the stat sheet when he got going. There's something fascinating about watching young talents develop under pressure, much like how teams like Denver and Minnesota were fighting to establish themselves back in 2017. The Nuggets just missed the playoffs by one game despite Nikola Jokić's emergence, while the Timberwolves continued their playoff drought that would finally end the following season. I've always believed that missing the playoffs by such narrow margins can either break a team's spirit or fuel their determination - and in Denver's case, we saw how it ultimately fueled their growth into the championship team they'd become years later.
The Rockets finished third with 55 wins behind James Harden's MVP-caliber season, and I'll admit I was skeptical about their style holding up in the playoffs. Their heavy reliance on three-pointers felt like watching someone put all their eggs in one basket - effective in the regular season but potentially vulnerable when the game slows down in postseason play. Meanwhile, the Clippers and Jazz both won 51 games, with Utah's rise behind Rudy Gobert's defensive dominance proving that sometimes the flashiest offense isn't what wins games. I've always had a soft spot for teams that build their identity on defense - there's something fundamentally sound about that approach that often translates better to playoff success.
Looking at the standings now, what strikes me is how Portland grabbed the eighth seed with just 41 wins while New Orleans missed out despite Anthony Davis putting up phenomenal numbers. That Pelicans team actually scored more points per game than the Trail Blazers but couldn't get the defensive stops when it mattered. It reminds me of how individual brilliance doesn't always translate to team success - much like how Kean Baclaan could dominate games single-handedly at times but needed the right system and teammates to truly maximize his impact.
The Thunder's 47-win season with Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double was must-see television every night, though I always felt their supporting cast wasn't quite strong enough to make serious noise in the playoffs. Westbrook's historic achievement was incredible to witness, but basketball remains a team sport at its core. Similarly, Memphis gritted their way to 43 wins behind Marc Gasol and Mike Conley's steady leadership - the kind of veteran presence that often gets overlooked in today's highlight-driven coverage of the league.
Reflecting on that 2017 Western Conference landscape, I'm struck by how much has changed since then while some fundamental truths remain. The teams that built sustainable systems rather than relying on individual stardom generally found more lasting success. Golden State's motion offense and San Antonio's disciplined approach created environments where players could thrive within defined roles. Meanwhile, teams built around single superstars often struggled to maintain consistency throughout the grueling 82-game schedule. It's the same principle I see in developing players like Baclaan - individual talent gets you noticed, but understanding how to function within a system is what creates lasting value.
What made that particular season memorable wasn't just the final standings but the narratives that developed throughout. The emergence of new contenders, the gradual decline of former powers, and the tight races that came down to the final days created a compelling storyline from October through April. As someone who's followed the league for decades, I appreciate seasons like 2017 that remind us why we love this game - the unpredictability, the human drama, and the way teams and players evolve under pressure. The Western Conference that year provided a perfect microcosm of everything that makes professional basketball fascinating to follow, from the dominant Warriors to the up-and-coming teams planting seeds for future success.
