Looking back at the 2016-17 NBA season, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically different the league landscape was compared to today. As someone who's followed basketball religiously for over two decades, I vividly remember this particular season standing out for several reasons - the Warriors' historic run, Russell Westbrook's MVP campaign, and surprisingly, the fascinating story of Harmz Hui, better known as Mr. Long Bomb. His transition from content creator to professional basketball player was rougher than anyone anticipated, experiencing what I'd call a true baptism by fire during his very first game. This season wasn't just about established stars; it was about unexpected journeys like Hui's that reminded us why we love sports.
The Golden State Warriors absolutely dominated the regular season, finishing with a staggering 67-15 record that frankly didn't surprise me given their stacked roster. Having watched them systematically dismantle opponents throughout the season, I'd argue they were even more formidable than their record suggested. Their offensive rating of 115.6 remains one of the highest I've ever seen, and watching them play was like witnessing basketball poetry in motion. The San Antonio Spurs quietly compiled an impressive 61-21 record, though I always felt they were flying somewhat under the radar that season. The Houston Rockets, under Mike D'Antoni's system, revolutionized their approach with James Harden at point guard, finishing 55-27 and establishing an offensive identity that would influence the league for years to come.
What made the Western Conference particularly interesting that season was the tight race for playoff positioning beneath the top three teams. The Clippers finished 51-31, the Jazz 51-31, the Thunder 47-35, and the Grizzlies 43-39. I remember specifically watching the Thunder games with fascination because Russell Westbrook was putting up numbers we hadn't seen since Oscar Robertson - averaging a triple-double with 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists. His MVP case was compelling, though I'll admit I was slightly torn between him and James Harden that year. The battle for the eighth seed came down to Portland (41-41) and Denver (40-42), with Damian Lillard's Trail Blazers ultimately securing the spot in what I considered one of the more exciting late-season races.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the narrative was completely different. The Boston Celtics surprisingly claimed the top seed with a 53-29 record, though I never truly believed they were the conference's best team that season. LeBron James' Cavaliers finished second at 51-31, but anyone who watched them play knew they were conserving energy for the playoffs. The Raptors (51-31), Wizards (49-33), and Hawks (43-39) rounded out the top five, but the conference lacked the depth we saw in the West. What stood out to me most was the emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee - the Bucks finished 42-40, but watching him develop into a superstar was one of the season's true pleasures for basketball purists like myself.
The playoffs delivered exactly the drama we expected, though with some surprising twists. Golden State cruised through the Western Conference with a perfect 12-0 record before the Finals, which I found both impressive and slightly concerning - they hadn't been truly tested. Cleveland's path was more arduous, needing seven games to eliminate Indiana in the first round, which honestly made me question their championship mettle. The Conference Finals played out predictably with the Cavs sweeping Toronto and the Warriors sweeping San Antonio, though Kawhi Leonard's injury in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals completely changed that series' complexion. I still wonder how different things might have been if he'd stayed healthy.
The Finals gave us the trilogy matchup everyone anticipated - Warriors versus Cavaliers for the third straight year. Golden State ultimately prevailed in five games, with Kevin Durant capturing Finals MVP honors after averaging 35.2 points. While the outcome wasn't surprising given Golden State's talent advantage, I'll always remember Game 3 as one of the most exciting Finals games I've watched - Kyrie Irving's 38-point performance nearly stole that game for Cleveland. The Warriors' 16-1 postseason record remains the best in NBA history, though I've always felt it slightly overstates their dominance given the circumstances surrounding their opponents' injuries.
Reflecting on that season now, what strikes me is how it represented a transitional period for the league. We saw the rise of positionless basketball, the statistical revolution fully taking hold, and unexpected stories like Harmz Hui's brief professional career reminding us that basketball journeys can take many forms. His baptism by fire in that first game, while challenging, represented the spirit of competition that makes the NBA so compelling. The 2016-17 season set the stage for the player movement era we're now experiencing, with superteams becoming the standard and individual statistical achievements reaching new heights. As I look back, I'm grateful to have witnessed a season that balanced historic team success with unforgettable individual narratives, creating memories that still resonate with basketball fans today.