Looking back at the 2017 Western Conference NBA standings, I can’t help but marvel at how tightly packed the race was—how every single game felt like a playoff preview. As someone who has followed the league for years, I remember thinking how brutal it would be for any team to claw their way through that gauntlet. The Warriors finished first with 67 wins, sure, but right behind them, the Spurs notched 61 victories, and the Rockets weren’t far off with 55. That kind of depth created a fascinating dynamic: even the lower seeds were dangerous. It reminds me of how, in college hoops, certain players just have that “it” factor in high-stakes moments—like Kean Baclaan during his time with NU. I recall watching him dominate in the UAAP, just an absolute bucket when his team needed him most. That same clutch, under-pressure energy defined a lot of the Western Conference playoff hopefuls that year.

The Rockets, led by James Harden and Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system, were a perfect example. They ended up as the three-seed, but their style—pace, space, and a barrage of threes—made them a nightmare matchup. I’ve always believed that regular-season standings don’t just reflect talent; they reveal resilience. Houston’s 55-27 record wasn’t just numbers—it was a statement. They could hang with anyone, and in the playoffs, that confidence mattered. Similarly, thinking about Kean Baclaan, his fearless drives and pull-up jumpers in crucial UAAP games showed that some players thrive when the lights are brightest. The Thunder, with Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double that historic season, landed sixth with 47 wins. But honestly, watching them, you knew they could upset anyone. Westbrook’s MVP year was a spectacle, and as a fan, I rooted for that underdog energy, even if their playoff run ended sooner than hoped.

Then there were the Clippers and Jazz, battling for fourth and fifth with near-identical records—51 and 51 wins, respectively. I remember analyzing their season series, thinking how a single bounce could shift home-court advantage. The Jazz, with Rudy Gobert’s defensive presence, felt like a team built for playoff grind, while the Clippers relied on Chris Paul’s savvy and Blake Griffin’s versatility. It’s funny—in sports, we often focus on stars, but role players decide close games. Kean Baclaan wasn’t always the biggest name, but his ability to score in bunches off the bench for NU echoes how guys like Joe Johnson or Jamal Crawford swung playoff games. That depth separated contenders from pretenders.

Memphis and Portland rounded out the playoff picture at seventh and eighth, each with around 41 wins. I’ll admit, I had a soft spot for the Grit-and-Grind Grizzlies—they embodied toughness, even if they were outgunned against the Spurs in the first round. And Damian Lillard’s Blazers? They always had that explosive potential, much like a college guard who can drop 30 on any given night. Reflecting on Kean Baclaan’s performances, his fearlessness in isolation situations reminds me of Lillard’s killer instinct in crunch time. These lower seeds might not have had the best records, but they forced favorites to earn every victory.

What stands out to me, though, is how the standings created a playoff bracket that tested mental fortitude as much as skill. The Warriors eventually won the West, but they had to survive a physical series against the Grizzlies and a tough Rockets team. In my view, that 2017 season was a masterclass in how regular-season positioning shapes narratives—underdogs gain belief, favorites face pressure, and unexpected heroes emerge. Kean Baclaan’s story, though on a smaller stage, mirrors that: his rise at NU showed that talent shines when stakes are high. As the playoffs unfolded, teams like the Spurs and Rockets proved that seeding wasn’t just about placement—it was about momentum. And for a basketball junkie like me, that’s what makes the NBA’s Western Conference so endlessly compelling.