The Definitive Guide to NBA Player Rankings for the 2017 Season

As I sat down to compile the definitive NBA player rankings for the 2017 season, I couldn't help but think about that legendary moment in boxing history when Ali defeated Frazier in their epic 1975 bout. Just as Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch made the tough call to stop the fight before the final round, recognizing his fighter's limitations despite Frazier's legendary heart, we face similar challenges when evaluating basketball greatness. The Thrilla in Manila taught us that sometimes the most courageous decision is acknowledging when someone has reached their absolute limit - a principle that applies perfectly to ranking NBA players during this transitional period in basketball history.

The 2017 season represented a fascinating crossroads where established legends were beginning to show their mileage while a new generation was rapidly ascending. Looking back, I'm convinced Russell Westbrook's historic triple-double campaign - averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists - deserves the top spot, though I know many will disagree with me. What made Westbrook's achievement particularly remarkable was how he carried the Thunder after Kevin Durant's departure, similar to how Ali had to dig deep when Frazier pushed him to his absolute limits. The raw statistical dominance combined with his undeniable will to win creates what I consider an undeniable case for the number one position, despite the Thunder's relatively modest 47-35 record.

Now, LeBron James presents perhaps the most intriguing case study. His numbers - 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists - while phenomenal, don't fully capture his impact. Having watched basketball for over two decades, I've rarely seen a player who could elevate his game in crucial moments like LeBron. The Cavaliers went 51-31 that season, and James demonstrated a boxing-like strategic approach to the game, pacing himself like a seasoned fighter before delivering knockout blows in the playoffs. Kawhi Leonard's two-way dominance for the 61-win Spurs deserves tremendous respect, though I've always felt his more reserved style sometimes caused him to be undervalued in these discussions.

The comparison between James Harden and Stephen Curry fascinates me because it represents two completely different philosophical approaches to offensive basketball. Harden's isolation-heavy style produced 29.1 points and 11.2 assists, while Curry's movement-based game generated 25.3 points with historic efficiency. Personally, I lean toward Harden's case for the higher ranking because he carried a heavier load, much like how Ali shouldered the weight of expectation throughout his career. The Rockets' 55 wins under Mike D'Antoni's system showcased Harden's ability to be the engine of an elite offense without another superstar beside him.

What often gets overlooked in these rankings is how injuries and wear-and-tear affect performance over a grueling 82-game season. Kevin Durant's transition to Golden State was complicated by a late-season knee injury that limited him to 62 games, while Anthony Davis put up phenomenal numbers (28.0 points, 11.8 rebounds) for a Pelicans team that couldn't quite put it all together. I've always believed Davis represents the modern big man ideal, though his teams' inconsistent performance makes ranking him challenging.

Reflecting on the 2017 season six years later provides valuable perspective about how we evaluate greatness. The debate between individual statistics versus team success, between highlight-reel moments versus consistent excellence, mirrors the complexity of that Ali-Frazier fight where both warriors left everything in the ring. My final top five would be Westbrook, James, Leonard, Harden, and Curry, though I acknowledge reasonable minds could differ on the order. What remains undeniable is that we witnessed a special moment in basketball history, where established legends proved they still had plenty left while new superstars emerged to claim their place in the pantheon. Just as Frazier's corner made the difficult but correct decision to protect their fighter from himself, we must be honest in our assessments, recognizing both achievement and limitation in our pursuit of basketball truth.