2017 NBA Ranking and the Top Teams of the Year
Basketball is one of the most popular sports worldwide, and so is the National Basketball Association (NBA) that gathers the best players from around the world. The 2017 season was an exciting one, featuring unexpected upsets, impressive performances, and memorable games. In this article, we will explore the 2017 NBA ranking and the top teams of the year.
2017 NBA Ranking
The 2017 NBA ranking is based on a combination of factors, including team performance, player skills, and statistical analysis. The top five teams of the year were:
1. Golden State Warriors: The Warriors had a stellar season, finishing with a record of 67-15 and clinching the Western Conference. They showcased their dominance in the playoffs, sweeping every round before defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals. With a talented core of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson, the Warriors were virtually unstoppable.
2. San Antonio Spurs: Led by veteran coach Gregg Popovich and superstar Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs finished the season with a record of 61-21 and secured the second seed in the Western Conference. Despite Leonard's injury and their ultimate loss to the Warriors in the conference finals, the Spurs showed why they are one of NBA's most successful franchises.
3. Houston Rockets: The Rockets had a breakout season, showcasing their offensive firepower under coach Mike D'Antoni and the MVP-caliber capabilities of James Harden. They finished with a record of 55-27 and clinched the third seed in the Western Conference. Although their playoff run was cut short by the Spurs, the Rockets proved that they are one of the league's most entertaining and promising teams.
Top Teams of the Year
While the 2017 NBA ranking is reflective of the teams' overall performances throughout the year, it doesn't necessarily indicate who the strongest teams were during specific times of the season. Here are the top teams of the year that delivered impressive performances:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs may have fallen short in the finals against the Warriors, but their regular season performance was strong enough to earn them the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Led by LeBron James, they swept the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors before defeating the Boston Celtics in the conference finals.
2. Boston Celtics: Despite losing their star player Isaiah Thomas due to an injury, the Celtics finished the regular season with a record of 53-29, clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Their playoff run included defeating the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards before ultimately losing to the Cavs in the conference finals.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder made headlines in the offseason by acquiring Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to complement superstar Russell Westbrook. Though their season was somewhat inconsistent, they ended up with a record of 47-35 and secured the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Their impressive playoff run featured a thrilling first-round matchup against the Utah Jazz before falling to the Rockets in the second round.
Conclusion
The 2017 NBA ranking showcased the top teams that excelled in various aspects of the game. However, the top teams of the year highlighted the ones that delivered outstanding performances during specific moments of the season. As we gear up for the upcoming 2022 season, it remains to be seen which teams will emerge as the new contenders and rewrite the NBA history books.
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