Uncovering the Most Surprising NBA 2017 Playoff Stats and Player Performances

I still remember watching the 2017 NBA playoffs with that mix of excitement and dread that only basketball fans can understand. The energy was electric, especially during those moments when teams thought they had victory secured, only to have it snatched away. That quote from the knowledge base—"Akala natin nu'ng panalo na tayo, grabe yung sigaw ng mga tao, nakaka-overwhelm. Almost. Ang sakit."—perfectly captures that emotional rollercoaster. It translates to "We thought we had already won, the crowd's cheers were overwhelming. Almost. It hurts." And honestly, that sentiment resonates deeply when you look back at some of the most surprising stats and performances from those playoffs.

Let's start with LeBron James, because how can you not? People talk about his 2016 championship, but his 2017 playoff run was statistically mind-blowing. He averaged 32.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game, shooting 56.5% from the field. I mean, come on—those numbers are video game stats. But what really stood out to me was his efficiency in the clutch. In Game 3 of the first round against Indiana, he dropped 41 points, and the Cavs won by just 5 points. The crowd was roaring, thinking they had it in the bag multiple times, only for LeBron to silence them with a dagger three. That "almost" feeling the quote mentions? Pacers fans felt it hard that night.

Then there's the Warriors' dominance, which was both impressive and, I'll admit, a bit frustrating to watch if you're not a Golden State fan. They went 16-1 in the playoffs, which is just absurd. Kevin Durant's integration into the team was seamless—he put up 28.5 points per game on 55.6% shooting. But here's a stat that blew my mind: Stephen Curry had a true shooting percentage of 65.9%, the highest among all guards that postseason. I remember thinking, "How is anyone supposed to beat this team?" Their Game 1 comeback against the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals is a prime example. San Antonio was up by 25 points at one point, and the arena was deafening. Kawhi Leonard was unstoppable until his injury, and you could feel the shift—the "almost" victory turning into a heartbreaking 113-111 loss for the Spurs. That game alone had fans echoing that overwhelming, painful feeling from the quote.

But let's not forget the underdogs. Isaiah Thomas's performance for the Celtics was nothing short of heroic, especially considering he played through personal tragedy. He averaged 23.3 points per game, including a 53-point outburst in Game 2 against the Wizards. I was at that game, and the energy was insane—fans screaming, thinking Boston had it locked, only for it to go into overtime. Thomas's resilience was inspiring, but it also highlighted how fleeting those "almost" moments can be. In the end, the Cavs eliminated them, and you could see the pain on Thomas's face. It's moments like these that make the playoffs so emotionally charged.

On the defensive side, Rudy Gobert's impact for the Jazz was a surprise to many, including me. He averaged 2.5 blocks per game and had a defensive rating of 99.1, which is elite. In their series against the Clippers, Game 7 was a nail-biter. LA fans were roaring, thinking they'd advance, but Gobert's rim protection shut them down, and Utah won 104-91. That shift from overwhelming cheers to silence? It's exactly what the quote describes—the sudden sting of defeat.

Speaking of surprises, Russell Westbrook's triple-double average of 37.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.8 assists in the playoffs was historic, but it also showed the limitations of hero ball. The Thunder lost in five games to the Rockets, and I couldn't help but feel that his stat-padding, while impressive, didn't translate to team success. It's a reminder that in the playoffs, individual brilliance can only take you so far, and those "almost" wins can haunt a franchise for years.

In conclusion, the 2017 NBA playoffs were a masterclass in emotional highs and lows, much like the quote that inspired this reflection. From LeBron's sheer dominance to the Warriors' near-perfect run, and the heartbreaking near-victories of teams like the Spurs and Celtics, the stats tell a story of resilience and surprise. As a fan, I'll always cherish those moments—the overwhelming cheers that almost led to wins, only to end in pain. It's what makes basketball so beautifully unpredictable, and why we keep coming back for more.