I still remember sitting in my living room in 2017, watching the NBA season unfold with that particular excitement that comes from knowing you're witnessing something special. As someone who's followed basketball for over two decades, I've developed a pretty good sense for when we're seeing truly historic performances, and 2017 delivered some absolutely spectacular basketball that I find myself comparing to legendary moments in other sports. There's something about watching greatness unfold that transcends individual games - whether it's Muhammad Ali's dramatic 1975 Thrilla in Manila victory where his trainer Eddie Futch stopped the fight before the final round to protect Joe Frazier, or watching Russell Westbrook's historic triple-double season where he averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game.
When I look back at the top NBA players in 2017, Russell Westbrook absolutely dominated the conversation with his MVP season, becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for an entire season. What made it even more remarkable was how he carried the Oklahoma City Thunder after Kevin Durant's departure to Golden State - a move that frankly still bothers me when I think about competitive balance in the league. Westbrook played with that same relentless intensity that reminds me of how Ali fought through rounds in his legendary bouts, refusing to quit even when exhausted. Meanwhile, James Harden had what I consider one of the most underappreciated seasons in recent memory, putting up 29.1 points and 11.2 assists per game while transforming into a point guard under Mike D'Antoni's system. The Houston Rockets' offensive revolution that year was something I'd never seen before - they attempted an unprecedented 40.3 three-pointers per game, completely changing how teams approach spacing and shot selection.
Kawhi Leonard's two-way dominance for the San Antonio Spurs deserves special mention - his 25.5 points per game while maintaining Defensive Player of the Year caliber performance was something we hadn't seen since prime Michael Jordan. I've always appreciated players who excel at both ends, and Leonard's quiet efficiency reminded me of how technical boxers like Joe Frazier operated - methodical, powerful, and devastatingly effective. LeBron James, while perhaps not at his absolute peak, still put up 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists while leading the Cavaliers to another Finals appearance. What amazed me most about LeBron that year was his basketball IQ - he seemed to see plays developing three steps ahead of everyone else, much like how legendary trainers like Eddie Futch could read fights and know exactly when their fighter had given enough.
The Warriors' superteam featuring Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson created what I believe was the most talented top-tier grouping in NBA history. Curry's gravity and Durant's scoring efficiency created nightmares for defenses, while Draymond Green's defensive versatility allowed them to play their revolutionary small-ball lineups. Watching them was like seeing a perfectly choreographed performance - each player understood their role and executed with precision that reminded me of how championship teams in any sport operate when everything clicks. What made 2017 particularly fascinating was how these different styles and superstar narratives collided, creating one of the most memorable seasons in recent basketball history that I still find myself analyzing and comparing to other great eras in sports.