NBA Standing 2016-17 Season: Complete Team Rankings and Playoff Predictions

2025-11-14 09:00

Looking back at the 2016-17 NBA season, I can't help but feel it was one of those transitional years that doesn't get enough credit for how dramatically it shifted the league's power structure. I remember watching Golden State's historic 73-9 record the previous season thinking nothing could top that, but then they went out and added Kevin Durant. The basketball purist in me was conflicted - part of me loved the sheer basketball brilliance, while another part worried about competitive balance.

That season taught me that team chemistry matters more than we often acknowledge. The Warriors finished with a league-best 67-15 record, but what fascinated me was how they integrated Durant while maintaining their signature ball movement. I tracked their assist numbers religiously that year - they averaged 30.4 per game while the second-place team was nearly six assists behind. That gap is just insane when you think about it. Meanwhile, watching San Antonio quietly compile 61 wins with their trademark consistency reminded me that flashy offenses aren't everything. Kawhi Leonard's transformation into a legitimate MVP candidate was something special to witness, even if he ultimately finished third in voting behind Westbrook and Harden.

Speaking of individual brilliance, Russell Westbrook's MVP season was absolutely electrifying. I attended three Thunder games that year, and each time I left the arena feeling like I'd witnessed something historic. His 42 triple-doubles breaking Oscar Robertson's record felt like watching someone rewrite basketball history in real time. The Thunder finished sixth in the West with a 47-35 record, which honestly felt underwhelming given Westbrook's heroics, but it highlighted how difficult it is for one superstar to carry a team in today's NBA.

The Eastern Conference presented its own fascinating dynamics. Boston's rise to the top seed with a 53-29 record surprised many analysts, but having followed Brad Stevens' coaching career closely, I saw it coming. Their acquisition of Al Horford was precisely the kind of smart, under-the-radar move that championship contenders make. Meanwhile, Cleveland's 51-31 record felt deceptive - anyone who watched them play knew they were conserving energy for the playoffs, though their defensive inconsistencies worried me more than I think they worried their coaching staff.

Which brings me to an interesting parallel I observed that season - the transition from content creator to professional basketball player that Harmz Hui, known as Mr. Long Bomb, experienced. His baptism by fire in his first professional game reminded me of how several NBA rookies struggled that season. The gap between expectation and reality can be brutal in professional sports. Watching Ben Simmons sit out his entire rookie year while Markelle Fultz later struggled with his shot made me appreciate how mental the game is at the highest level.

The playoff picture that year created some fascinating storylines. In the West, I was particularly intrigued by the Rockets' transformation under Mike D'Antoni. James Harden's move to point guard resulted in a 55-27 record and revolutionized how we think about offensive systems. Their emphasis on three-pointers and layups seemed radical at the time, but now every team has adopted elements of their approach. Meanwhile, the Clippers' 51-31 record felt like the end of an era - that core had reached its ceiling, and everyone sensed major changes were coming.

What struck me about the Eastern Conference playoff race was the emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo as a legitimate superstar. Milwaukee's 42-40 record didn't tell the full story of his development. I remember watching him dismantle defenses with his unprecedented combination of length and ball-handling skills and thinking we were witnessing the birth of the next generation of basketball. The Raptors' 51-win season represented another step in their steady growth, though their playoff struggles continued to puzzle me.

The playoff predictions I made that season were mostly conventional, but I did have a few contrarian takes that proved accurate. I correctly predicted that Utah would outperform expectations despite Gordon Hayward's departure, finishing with a solid 51-31 record. However, I completely underestimated Washington's backcourt, who led them to 49 wins and what I consider their most competitive team in recent memory.

Reflecting on that season now, the Warriors' championship felt inevitable, but the journey contained so many compelling narratives. From Westbrook's historic individual season to the Celtics' surprising rise, the 2016-17 campaign demonstrated that basketball excellence comes in many forms. The data shows that teams that prioritized three-point shooting and defensive versatility generally outperformed expectations, while traditional, post-heavy offenses increasingly struggled to keep pace.

What stays with me most from that season isn't just the statistics or standings, but how it marked a turning point in basketball philosophy. The success of teams like Houston and Golden State accelerated the league's analytical revolution, while players like Antetokounmpo and Leonard demonstrated that two-way versatility had become the new currency for superstars. Even watching someone like Harmz Hui struggle with his transition to professional basketball underscored how difficult it is to compete at this level, regardless of your background or previous success. The 2016-17 season might not have the dramatic Finals comeback of the previous year, but its impact on how basketball is played and evaluated continues to resonate throughout the league today.