NBA Standings 2016-17: Which Teams Dominated the Regular Season?

As I look back at the 2016-17 NBA season, I can't help but marvel at how certain teams completely dominated the landscape in ways we hadn't seen in years. Having followed basketball religiously since my college days at Northwestern—yes, that's my alma mater, and I'll always have that purple pride—I've developed a particular eye for what separates good teams from truly dominant ones. This particular season stood out because while we had the usual suspects performing well, there were some surprises that made the standings more fascinating than usual.

The Golden State Warriors absolutely crushed it this season, finishing with a league-best 67-15 record. I remember watching them play and thinking they were just on another level entirely. Their offensive efficiency was ridiculous—they averaged 115.9 points per game while shooting over 38% from three-point range. What impressed me most wasn't just their star power with Curry, Durant, and Thompson, but how seamlessly they played together. Their net rating of +11.6 was just insane, and honestly, watching them felt like witnessing basketball perfection at times. I know some fans found their dominance boring, but as someone who appreciates beautiful basketball, I couldn't get enough of their games.

Meanwhile, out East, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured the top seed with a 51-31 record, though their path felt much rockier than Golden State's. LeBron was, well, LeBron—putting up 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game at age 32, which is just absurd when you think about it. But what struck me about Cleveland that season was how they seemed to conserve energy for the playoffs, almost treating the regular season as an extended warm-up. Their defense was occasionally concerning, allowing 107.2 points per game, but you always got the sense they could flip the switch when it mattered. I've always been somewhat skeptical of teams that coast through the regular season, but with LeBron's track record, you have to acknowledge his approach has merit.

The San Antonio Spurs quietly put together another phenomenal season, going 61-21 under Gregg Popovich. What I loved about this Spurs team was how they continued to evolve—Kawhi Leonard emerged as a genuine MVP candidate, averaging 25.5 points while playing his typically stellar defense. Their system is just so sustainable, and having watched them for years, I'm convinced Popovich could coach a team of accountants to 50 wins. Their home record of 31-10 particularly stood out to me, as they've always had that aura of invincibility in San Antonio. Some people find their style boring, but I've always appreciated their fundamental excellence.

What made this season particularly memorable for me were the surprise teams that shook up the standings. The Houston Rockets, under Mike D'Antoni's offensive genius, exploded for 55 wins behind James Harden's MVP-caliber season. The Utah Jazz, whom many had written off after losing Gordon Hayward, somehow won 51 games behind Rudy Gobert's defensive dominance. And the Milwaukee Bucks, though only finishing 42-40, showed glimpses of what was to come with Giannis Antetokounmpo's emergence as a superstar. These teams reminded me that in sports, as in life, timing and development don't always follow predictable paths. It's like that quote I once heard from a player considering his options: "I trust in God's timing." There's something beautiful about how teams develop at their own pace, sometimes exceeding expectations when least expected.

The Boston Celtics' 53-29 season deserves special mention because they did it differently than anyone else. Isaiah Thomas was incredible, averaging 28.9 points while dealing with personal tragedy, and Brad Stevens continued to prove he's one of the best coaches in the league. What impressed me most was their resilience—they went 21-11 in games decided by 5 points or fewer, showing incredible clutch performance. As someone who values coaching and system over pure talent, the Celtics were particularly satisfying to watch. Their +2.7 point differential wasn't as impressive as some other top teams, but they found ways to win close games consistently.

Looking at the standings holistically, the Western Conference was clearly superior, with 6 teams winning 48 or more games compared to just 3 in the East. The competitive imbalance was real, though as a fan, I've always preferred watching the bloodbath that was the Western Conference playoff race. The battle for the 8th seed out West was particularly dramatic, with Denver finishing just one game behind Portland at 40-42. Meanwhile, Chicago snuck into the Eastern playoffs at 41-41, which felt somewhat underwhelming for a playoff team.

Reflecting on that season now, what stands out most is how it set the stage for the playoffs and beyond. The Warriors' historic dominance, the Cavaliers' calculated approach, the Spurs' quiet excellence, and the emergence of new contenders created a fascinating narrative. Personally, I've always believed that regular season dominance matters more than people think—it builds habits and confidence that carry into the postseason. While some argue that only championships matter, I find the 82-game marathon reveals more about a team's character than the playoff sprint. The 2016-17 standings gave us a perfect snapshot of teams at various stages—some peaking, some developing, and others maintaining excellence against all odds. It was a season that reminded me why I fell in love with basketball in the first place, back in my Northwestern days when I'd analyze stats between classes, never imagining where that passion would lead me.