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As I look back at the 2017 NBA Western Conference standings, what strikes me most isn't just the final numbers but the incredible human drama behind them. I remember watching game after game that season, marveling at how teams pushed through what seemed like impossible physical demands. There's this quote from a player that's always stuck with me - "Even when we're tired, we're moving more efficiently now because we're playing games while carrying fatigue." That statement perfectly captures the essence of what made that Western Conference race so special. Teams weren't just playing basketball - they were learning to perform at elite levels while managing exhaustion, travel schedules, and the mental grind of an 82-game season.
The Warriors ultimately finished with what many considered an almost unfair 67-15 record, but what people forget is how hard they had to work to maintain that dominance. I recall watching them play back-to-backs where you could see the weariness in their movements, yet they'd still find ways to win. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant played through various minor injuries that season, and I've always believed that their ability to perform while "carrying fatigue" as that quote suggests, separated them from other talented teams. The Spurs came in second at 61-21, which would have been good enough for first place in most conferences in most years, but in the 2017 West, it meant they'd have to fight through every single playoff round without home-court advantage against Golden State.
What fascinates me about that Rockets team that finished third with 55 wins is how James Harden transformed under Mike D'Antoni's system. I remember analyzing their games and thinking how they embodied that idea of playing efficiently despite fatigue - Harden's calculated pace, the way he conserved energy on defense to explode on offense, it was a masterclass in energy management. The Clippers at 51-31 always struck me as a team that never quite maximized their potential, and I'll admit I've never been Chris Paul's biggest fan, though his leadership that season was undeniable. The Jazz at 51-31 surprised everyone, and I remember telling friends that Donovan Mitchell was going to be special long before most people recognized his potential.
The Thunder's 47-35 record with Russell Westbrook averaging that historic triple-double was both spectacular and frustrating to watch. As much as I admire Westbrook's intensity, I've always felt that team relied too heavily on his heroics rather than developing a sustainable system. The Grizzlies at 43-39 made the playoffs through pure grit, exactly what you'd expect from a Mike Conley and Marc Gasol-led team. The Trail Blazers rounding out the playoff picture at 41-41 never quite convinced me they had what it took for a deep run, though Damian Lillard's clutch performances were always must-watch television.
Looking at the teams that just missed out, the Nuggets at 40-42 were my dark horse that season, and I genuinely believed they were one piece away from being dangerous - little did we know Jamal Murray would develop into the superstar he is today. The Pelicans at 34-48 had Anthony Davis putting up incredible numbers, but I've always thought they failed to build properly around him during those years. The Mavericks at 33-49 marked the beginning of the end of an era, and I'll confess feeling nostalgic watching Dirk Nowitzki's final productive seasons. The Timberwolves at 31-51 had so much young talent that I was certain they'd break through soon - Karl-Anthony Towns was already showing flashes of the dominant big man he'd become.
The lower tier of the conference featured the Kings at 32-50, a team that's frustrated me for years with their inability to develop consistency. The Lakers at 26-56 were in the early stages of their rebuild, and while many criticized them, I actually enjoyed watching their young core develop, even if the wins weren't there yet. The Suns at 24-58 were clearly rebuilding, though I admired Devin Booker's 70-point game that season - a bright spot in an otherwise difficult year.
Reflecting on that entire playoff race, what stands out to me is how the top teams mastered that art of playing through fatigue. The Warriors' system of ball movement and player rotation allowed them to maintain efficiency even when tired, while the Spurs' disciplined approach meant they rarely beat themselves. I've always believed that the 2017 Western Conference represented a shift in how teams approached the regular season - it wasn't just about talent anymore, but about developing systems that could withstand the physical and mental toll of the marathon NBA schedule. The teams that understood how to "carry their fatigue" while maintaining efficiency were the ones that ultimately separated themselves in that brutal conference race.