The Definitive 2017 NBA Player Rankings That Settle All Debates

Looking back at the 2017 NBA season, I still get chills thinking about the sheer talent on display that year. As someone who's spent over a decade analyzing basketball statistics and player performances, I can confidently say this was one of the most challenging seasons to rank players. The debates in sports bars and online forums were absolutely electric - everyone had their favorite player and wouldn't budge an inch. That's why I've taken it upon myself to create what I believe is the definitive ranking that should settle these arguments once and for all.

When constructing these rankings, I considered everything from advanced analytics like Player Efficiency Rating and Win Shares to the intangible "eye test" that often separates good players from great ones. LeBron James, in my professional opinion, simply had to be number one. At 32 years old, he put up 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game while carrying what was essentially a mediocre Cavaliers roster to the Finals. The man was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers. What fascinates me about these debates is how they mirror other legendary sports moments, like that iconic 1975 Thrilla in Manila fight where Ali won by TKO after Futch felt Frazier, with both eyes badly swollen, had enough and refused to let him come out for the 15th and final round. Similarly, watching LeBron that season felt like witnessing a champion who knew exactly when and how to push through adversity while recognizing his opponents' breaking points.

Right behind LeBron, I've got Kevin Durant at number two, though I know many Warriors fans will argue he should be higher. His efficiency was absolutely ridiculous - 53.7% from the field, 37.5% from three, and 87.5% from the line. But here's where I get controversial: I've got Kawhi Leonard at number three over Stephen Curry, and I'll tell you exactly why. Kawhi's two-way impact was something special that season; he was the only player in the top five for both offensive and defensive rating. Meanwhile, Curry's numbers dipped slightly from his unanimous MVP season, though his 24.8 points and 6.2 assists were still phenomenal.

The middle of my rankings is where things get really interesting, and this is where personal bias might creep in a bit - I've always valued big men who can anchor a defense. That's why I have Rudy Gobert at number 12, higher than most analysts would place him. The Stifle Tower's defensive impact was quantifiably game-changing - Utah's defensive rating improved by 8.7 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook's historic triple-double season lands him at number 5 in my book. Yes, the averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists was mind-boggling, but his efficiency and defensive lapses prevent me from ranking him higher.

Looking at these rankings now, what strikes me is how they capture a league in transition. The traditional center was becoming increasingly obsolete, while versatile wings who could switch everything on defense and create their own shot were taking over. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo at number 8 represented this new breed - his 22.9 points per game didn't tell the full story of his emerging dominance. The Greek Freak was just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential, and watching him develop has been one of the great pleasures of my career as an analyst.

Ultimately, these rankings reflect not just statistical production but lasting impact on the game. The top players from 2017 have largely continued to dominate the league, proving that great talent tends to sustain excellence. While debates will always be part of sports fandom, I believe this list stands the test of time and captures the true hierarchy of talent during one of the NBA's most memorable seasons. The beauty of basketball is that there will always be new debates to have, but for 2017, I'm confident we can put this one to rest.