Ultimate 2017 NBA Player Rankings: Who Truly Dominated the Court?

Looking back at the 2017 NBA season, I still get chills thinking about the sheer dominance displayed by a handful of players. As someone who's spent years analyzing basketball metrics and on-court impact, I can confidently say that season was a masterclass in individual excellence. The debate over who truly ruled the court that year isn't just about stats—it's about legacy, resilience, and that intangible will to win. It reminds me of the legendary 1975 Thrilla in Manila, 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. That kind of brutal, relentless pursuit of victory is what separates the greats from the merely good, and in 2017, we saw it in spades from players who refused to back down, even when battered and bruised.

When I crunch the numbers, LeBron James stands out with averages of 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, carrying the Cavaliers through what felt like an endless regular season. But stats alone don't capture his impact—it was the way he elevated his team in clutch moments, much like Ali pushing through rounds when others would have folded. Then there's Kevin Durant, who put up 25.1 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting a ridiculous 53.7% from the field. His move to the Warriors that season was controversial, sure, but watching him seamlessly integrate into that system was a lesson in basketball IQ. I've always leaned toward players who redefine team dynamics, and Durant did just that, even if it ruffled some feathers among purists.

Russell Westbrook's triple-double average—31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists—was historic, no doubt, but as a analyst, I have to question its efficiency. His usage rate of 41.7% was through the roof, and while it made for thrilling highlights, it sometimes felt like he was carrying the Thunder alone, much like Frazier in that brutal fight, pushing until he had nothing left. On the other hand, Kawhi Leonard's two-way prowess for the Spurs was a thing of beauty. He averaged 25.5 points and 1.8 steals, locking down opponents with a defensive intensity that, in my view, doesn't get enough credit in these rankings. If I had to pick an underrated dominator, it's him—quiet, methodical, and utterly ruthless.

Stephen Curry's influence can't be ignored either, with his 25.3 points and 6.6 assists, not to mention his gravity pulling defenses apart. I remember watching him sink threes from the logo and thinking how he changed the geometry of the game itself. But let's be real—the 2017 season was also about James Harden's evolution under Mike D'Antoni, posting 29.1 points and 11.2 assists as the Rockets' engine. Personally, I've always been drawn to players who blend scoring and playmaking, and Harden's step-back three became a weapon that felt almost unfair. In the end, though, the true dominator was LeBron, not just for his numbers but for his sheer will, reminiscent of Ali's refusal to quit. He might not have had the flashiest stats across the board, but when the playoffs rolled around, he was the one leaving it all on the court, no surrender in sight.