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NBA 2016-17 Season Standings: Complete Team Rankings and Playoff Picture
As I look back at the 2016-17 NBA season standings, I can't help but feel that particular year represented one of the most fascinating competitive landscapes in recent basketball history. Having followed the league religiously since my college days at Northwestern University—yes, that's my alma mater, and I'll always have a soft spot for my Wildcats—I remember this season felt different right from tip-off. The Golden State Warriors were coming off that historic 73-win season, though they'd fallen just short in the Finals against LeBron's Cavaliers, and everyone was watching to see how they'd respond after adding Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, out East, Cleveland was looking to defend their throne, but the conference felt more wide open than it had in years.
What struck me most about that regular season was how clearly it broke into tiers. Out West, the Warriors and Spurs were in a class of their own, with Golden State ultimately finishing at 67-15—though honestly, I thought they might push for 70 wins again. San Antonio quietly put together another phenomenal season at 61-21, with Kawhi Leonard making his case as a legitimate MVP candidate. The Houston Rockets, under Mike D'Antoni's offensive revolution, claimed the third seed with James Harden putting up video game numbers night after night. I've always had a particular appreciation for teams that redefine how basketball can be played, and those Rockets fully embraced the three-point revolution in a way that was ahead of its time.
The middle of the Western Conference playoff picture was where things got really interesting for me. The Clippers, Jazz, Thunder, and Grizzlies all finished within four games of each other, creating this fascinating scramble for positioning. Oklahoma City's season was particularly compelling—Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double and basically carrying that team on his back night after night. I remember watching him drop 50 points in Denver to secure that record-breaking 42nd triple-double, and even as someone who typically prefers team basketball, you had to appreciate that historic individual performance.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the narrative felt completely different. Boston surprised everyone by claiming the top seed at 53-29, though I always felt their record flattered them somewhat—they were good, but not dominant in the way we typically associate with a 1-seed. Cleveland finished right behind them at 51-31, and anyone paying attention could see they were pacing themselves for another playoff run rather than chasing regular season glory. The Raptors at 51 wins and Wizards at 49 rounded out the top four, while teams like Atlanta, Milwaukee, Indiana, and Chicago filled out the remaining playoff spots. I'll admit I had a personal soft spot for that Bucks team—watching Giannis Antetokounmpo transform from raw talent into legitimate superstar was one of the season's great pleasures.
When the playoffs arrived, the bracket created some absolutely compelling matchups. Out West, Golden State swept through Portland, Utah, and San Antonio before meeting Cleveland in the Finals for their trilogy matchup. The Warriors went 12-0 through the Western Conference playoffs, which was just absurd dominance. Meanwhile, Cleveland's path included series against Indiana, Toronto, and that epic Conference Finals against Boston where they overcame a 2-1 deficit. I've always believed playoff basketball reveals a team's true character, and both finalists demonstrated why they were a cut above the rest when it mattered most.
The Finals themselves delivered one of the most dominant performances I've ever witnessed, with Golden State avenging their 2016 collapse by winning in five games. Kevin Durant's transition three-pointer in Game 3 remains etched in my memory—that was the moment when you knew the series was effectively over. As much as I respect LeBron's greatness, the Warriors were simply operating at a different level that series, moving the ball with precision and locking down defensively in ways we hadn't seen from them during the regular season.
Reflecting on that entire season now, what stands out isn't just the final standings or the championship outcome, but how it set the stage for everything that followed. The Warriors cemented their dynasty, the league's three-point revolution accelerated, and player movement patterns that would define subsequent seasons began to emerge. In many ways, the 2016-17 season represented a turning point—the end of one competitive era and the beginning of another. And much like considering my options after Northwestern, where you weigh different paths while trusting the timing of things larger than yourself, that NBA season taught me that in basketball as in life, sometimes the most interesting stories emerge not from the destinations themselves, but from the unpredictable journeys that get us there.