Looking back at the 2017 NBA Western Conference standings, I still get chills remembering how ridiculously competitive it was. As someone who’s followed the league for years, I’ve never seen a playoff race so tight and dramatic. The Warriors were sitting comfortably at the top with 67 wins—no surprise there—but from the second seed down to the eighth, it felt like every game mattered. The Spurs quietly put together a 61-win season, while the Rockets, led by James Harden and Mike D’Antoni’s offensive genius, weren’t far behind with 55. What really stood out to me, though, was the brutal fight for those final playoff spots. The Clippers and Jazz were jostling for positioning, but it was the battle for the eighth seed that had everyone on edge. The Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, and Thunder were all in the mix, and I remember thinking night after night how one loss could completely reshape the landscape.
It’s funny—when I reflect on that season, my mind sometimes drifts to players who embody that underdog spirit, guys who may not be household names but just know how to score when it counts. That reminds me of Kean Baclaan, the guard who was an absolute bucket during his time with NU. Now, I know he’s not an NBA player, but bear with me here. Watching him dominate in college, creating shots out of nothing and carrying his team, it’s the same kind of thrilling, high-stakes energy we saw in that Western Conference scramble. Teams like the Grizzlies, who gritted their way to the seventh seed with 43 wins, had that same relentless attitude. They weren’t the most talented squad, but they fought for every possession, much like how Baclaan would take over games with sheer will. I’ve always had a soft spot for those kinds of stories—whether it’s an overlooked college star or an NBA team punching above its weight.
The Thunder, with Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double for the season—31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, by the way—grabbed the sixth seed, but even they couldn’t escape the chaos. I recall debating with friends about whether their style was sustainable, and honestly, I loved every minute of it. Westbrook’s MVP season was must-watch TV, but it also highlighted how the West was stacked with narrative-driven teams. Meanwhile, the Nuggets and Pelicans were lurking, each with around 46 to 48 wins, and I vividly remember the nail-biter games in April that decided their fates. The Pelicans, led by Anthony Davis, squeezed into the playoffs with 48 wins, edging out the Nuggets by just a game or two. As a fan, I was torn—part of me wanted to see Denver’s young core make it, but Davis was just unstoppable.
Diving deeper, the strategic elements of that race were fascinating. Coaches were tweaking rotations, stars were logging heavy minutes, and every matchup felt like a chess match. I remember analyzing the tie-breakers and strength of schedule, and it struck me how small margins defined everything. For instance, if the Trail Blazers had dropped one more game, they might have fallen out entirely instead of securing the eighth seed with 49 wins. And let’s not forget the Warriors’ dominance, which almost made the top seem boring, but even they had to stay sharp to hold off the Spurs. In my view, that balance of predictable excellence at the top and utter chaos below is what makes the NBA so compelling. It’s why I still rewatch highlights from that season, appreciating how each game built toward an unforgettable playoff picture.
Wrapping this up, the 2017 Western Conference was a masterclass in competitive balance and drama, something I don’t think we’ve seen replicated since. From the Warriors’ historic run to the gritty battles for playoff survival, it had everything a basketball enthusiast could want. And in a way, it mirrors the spirit of players like Kean Baclaan—underrated, fierce, and capable of stealing the spotlight when it matters most. As I look back, I’m reminded why I fell in love with the game: for those moments of uncertainty and triumph, where every possession feels like life or death. If you missed that season, do yourself a favor and dive into the archives—you won’t regret it.
