2025-11-17 11:00

Looking back at the 2017 NBA Western Conference standings, I can’t help but marvel at how much that season felt like a grueling marathon disguised as a basketball campaign. I remember watching teams push through exhaustion night after night, and one quote from that time has always stuck with me—something along the lines of, “Even when we’re tired, we’re moving more efficiently now because we’re playing games carrying real fatigue.” That statement, I think, perfectly captures the mindset that defined the Western Conference that year. It wasn’t just about talent or star power; it was about resilience, adaptation, and the sheer will to perform under mounting pressure. As someone who’s followed the NBA for years, I’ve rarely seen a conference so stacked from top to bottom, where even the 8th seed felt like a legitimate threat. The race was relentless, and every game seemed to carry playoff-level intensity, making the final standings a testament to endurance as much as skill.

The Golden State Warriors, of course, finished atop the conference with a staggering 67–15 record. I’ve always admired their offensive fluidity, but what stood out to me in 2017 was how they managed fatigue over the long haul. They didn’t just rely on their famous “Strength in Numbers” mantra—they embodied it, rotating players smartly to keep legs fresh while maintaining that killer instinct. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were phenomenal, no doubt, but it was the supporting cast, guys like Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, who often shouldered the load on those back-to-backs when exhaustion threatened to derail their rhythm. Watching them, I felt they had mastered that idea of playing efficiently even when tired; they’d push the pace, move the ball, and trust their system, which allowed them to conserve energy without sacrificing results. It’s a lesson in team management that I think many organizations still study today.

Right behind them, the San Antonio Spurs clinched the second seed with 61 wins, and honestly, their consistency under Gregg Popovich was something to behold. I’ve long believed that the Spurs’ approach to the regular season is a masterclass in pacing. They never seemed to panic, even during rough patches, and their ability to integrate new pieces like LaMarcus Aldridge while maintaining defensive discipline was impressive. Kawhi Leonard, in particular, was a force—his two-way prowess gave them an edge in close games, and I recall thinking how he personified that “efficiency through fatigue” concept. He’d grind on defense, then calmly sink a clutch jumper, all while looking like he had energy to spare. It’s no surprise they held opponents to just 98.1 points per game, one of the league’s best marks, which speaks volumes about their focus even when legs were heavy.

Then there was the Houston Rockets, finishing third at 55–27, and as a fan of offensive fireworks, I loved watching Mike D’Antoni’s system in full swing. James Harden’s MVP-caliber season was a joy to follow—his step-back threes and playmaking kept defenses on their heels, and the Rockets’ emphasis on three-pointers and pace meant they could blow games open quickly, even on tired nights. I remember one game where they came off a tough overtime loss and still dropped 130 points the next night; it felt like they embraced that idea of pushing through fatigue by leaning on their offensive identity. Their bench, led by Eric Gordon and Lou Williams, provided crucial sparks, and I think that depth was key to their success. In my view, Houston’s run that year showed how a well-defined system can mitigate exhaustion, something I’ve seen teams try to replicate since.

Further down, the battle for playoff positioning was just as intense. The LA Clippers grabbed the fourth seed at 51–31, but I’ll admit, I always felt they underachieved relative to their talent. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were brilliant when healthy, yet injuries and late-game struggles often left them looking worn down. Contrast that with the Utah Jazz at fifth (51–31), who impressed me with their gritty, defense-first approach. Rudy Gobert’s rim protection and Gordon Hayward’s scoring gave them a balanced attack, and they seemed to thrive in low-scoring grinds—the kind of games where fatigue tests your mental toughness. I remember thinking how their coach, Quin Snyder, drilled into them the importance of executing under duress, which paid off in close contests.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, sixth at 47–35, were a fascinating case study. With Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double and winning MVP, they had moments of sheer brilliance, but inconsistency plagued them. As much as I admired Westbrook’s ferocity, I couldn’t help but feel the team relied too heavily on him, leading to burnout in critical stretches. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies (seventh, 43–39) and Portland Trail Blazers (eighth, 41–41) rounded out the playoff picture, and both exemplified that never-say-die attitude. Memphis, in particular, with their “Grit and Grind” ethos, often won ugly games by embracing physicality, even when fatigue set in. I recall one matchup where they clawed back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, showcasing the kind of resilience that quote earlier alluded to—playing efficiently despite carrying fatigue.

Of course, the playoffs that followed only amplified these themes. The Warriors swept through the West, but it wasn’t easy; they faced stiff challenges from teams like the Spurs, who might have gone deeper if not for Kawhi’s injury. Looking back, I believe the 2017 Western Conference was a turning point in how teams approach the regular season. It wasn’t just about stacking wins; it was about building habits that hold up under exhaustion. In my experience covering the league, I’ve noticed that the best squads learn to thrive when tired, using rhythm and trust to offset physical drain. The standings from that year—with tight gaps between seeds and surprise performances—reflect a deeper truth: in a marathon like the NBA, efficiency amid fatigue can be the difference between a playoff berth and an early vacation. As we move forward, I hope more teams take note of that lesson, because in today’s game, endurance isn’t just an asset; it’s a necessity.

« News Releases