When I first sat down to analyze the 2017 NBA player rankings, I immediately thought about what truly separates the good from the great. That year was particularly fascinating because we saw established legends battling against rising stars in what felt like a changing of the guard. I remember watching games thinking, "This might be the season where everything shifts." The definitive guide to NBA player rankings for 2017 isn't just about stats—it's about understanding the context, the momentum shifts, and those physical battles that define championship seasons.
Looking back, the top spot undoubtedly belonged to Russell Westbrook. His historic averaging of 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game made him the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for an entire season. I've never seen anything like that MVP campaign—the man played with such ferocious intensity that he single-handedly carried the Thunder to 47 wins. What many forget is that he had 42 triple-doubles that season, breaking Robertson's 55-year-old record. When I think about players who completely dominated the 2017 rankings, Westbrook's name comes first—his statistical production was simply too monumental to ignore.
Right behind him was James Harden, who transformed into a point guard that season and nearly matched Westbrook's triple-double average with 29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 11.2 assists. I remember arguing with friends about who deserved MVP more—Westbrook with his historic numbers or Harden who led the Rockets to 55 wins. Personally, I leaned toward Westbrook because of the sheer improbability of his achievement, but Harden's season was revolutionary in its own right. The Rockets' offensive system was built entirely around his playmaking, and he flourished in Mike D'Antoni's system in ways nobody anticipated.
Then there was Kawhi Leonard, who many considered the best two-way player that season. His 25.5 points per game don't jump off the page like Westbrook's numbers, but his defensive impact was extraordinary. I recall watching him dismantle opponents with those robotic, efficient moves—he shot 48.5% from the field and 38% from three while likely being the best perimeter defender in the league. The Spurs won 61 games that season, and Leonard was the clear catalyst. If not for Zaza Pachulia's controversial closeout in the Western Conference Finals that injured Leonard's ankle, we might be having a different conversation about who topped the 2017 rankings.
LeBron James finished fourth in most expert rankings that year, which in hindsight feels almost disrespectful. He averaged 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists while shooting 54.8% from the field—absolutely phenomenal numbers for a 32-year-old in his 14th season. What sticks with me about LeBron that year was his playoff performance—he basically sleepwalked through the regular season (by his standards) then flipped a switch and nearly averaged a triple-double in the playoffs. The Cavaliers won 51 games despite their defensive issues, and LeBron's basketball IQ seemed to reach new heights.
The quote from June Mar Fajardo about wanting to finish games quickly to prevent momentum shifts perfectly captures what separated these top players. "We want to finish the game so we can rest. If the series extends, momentum can change. We don't know what will happen, right? If we can win the game on Wednesday, we'll try to win it. That won't be an easy game. For sure, it will be somewhat physical. We need to prepare," Fajardo said. This mentality—understanding the importance of closing out opportunities and preparing for physical battles—is what made Westbrook, Harden, Leonard, and James so special that season. They didn't just accumulate stats; they understood how to control momentum.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Isaiah Thomas rounded out most top ten lists. Davis put up 28 points and 11.8 rebounds but played on a mediocre Pelicans team. Giannis made his first superstar leap with 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, hinting at the MVP seasons to come. Thomas had perhaps the most memorable offensive season for a little man in NBA history—28.9 points per game and that emotional 53-point performance on what would have been his sister's birthday. I personally believe Thomas deserved more MVP consideration that year—carrying the Celtics to the top seed in the East while dealing with personal tragedy showed incredible mental toughness.
When compiling definitive NBA player rankings, statistics only tell part of the story. The 2017 season was particularly challenging to rank because we had Westbrook's historic individual achievement against Harden's team success and revolutionary playmaking, against Leonard's two-way dominance, against LeBron's proven playoff gear. If I'm being completely honest, I'd probably slide LeBron up to second in my personal retrospective ranking—his playoff performance that year was arguably the greatest individual playoff run I've ever witnessed, even if the Cavaliers fell short in the Finals.
The physicality Fajardo mentioned—that awareness that nothing comes easy—was evident throughout the 2017 season. Westbrook battling through constant defensive attention, Harden adapting to his new role, Leonard wrestling with opponents on both ends, LeBron carrying a flawed roster—these challenges separated the truly elite from the merely excellent. The definitive guide to 2017 NBA player rankings ultimately reveals how context-dependent these evaluations are. Statistics provide the foundation, but the eye test, clutch performances, and ability to elevate teammates complete the picture. Seven years later, I still find myself revisiting that season's debates—there was something uniquely compelling about how these extraordinary players pursued greatness in different yet equally valid ways.
