As I look back at the 2017 NBA season, it feels like revisiting a particularly fascinating chapter in basketball history. That year marked a transitional period where established legends were beginning to pass the torch to the next generation of superstars. I remember watching games that season with a notebook in hand, tracking player performances with the intensity of a scout, because ranking players isn't just about statistics—it's about understanding impact, leadership, and that intangible quality that separates good players from truly great ones.

The conversation around top players always reminds me of something June Mar Fajardo, the Philippine basketball star, once said about momentum in a series: "We want to finish the game so we can rest. If the series extends longer, momentum can shift. We never 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 for it." This mindset perfectly captures the professional approach that separates elite athletes—the understanding that every game matters, that momentum is fragile, and that physical and mental preparation determines outcomes. This same mentality was evident throughout the 2017 NBA season among the players who dominated our rankings.

LeBron James, in my assessment, unquestionably held the top position in 2017. At 32 years old, he was playing with the wisdom of a veteran but the athleticism of someone in their prime, averaging 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists while leading the Cavaliers to another Finals appearance. What impressed me most wasn't just his statistical output but his basketball IQ—his ability to control the pace of games and make everyone around him better. Kevin Durant followed closely at number two, especially after his transformative performance in the 2017 Finals where he averaged 35.2 points against Cleveland. I've always been fascinated by Durant's unique combination of size and shooting ability—at 6'10" with guard skills, he represented basketball's evolving positionless future.

Stephen Curry secured the third spot, though some might argue he deserved higher. His numbers dipped slightly from his unanimous MVP season—25.3 points and 6.6 assists—but his gravitational pull on defenses remained unparalleled. Watching Curry play was like observing a chess master several moves ahead of everyone else. Kawhi Leonard at number four was the ultimate two-way force, averaging 25.5 points while likely being the best perimeter defender in the league. His quiet dominance reminded me of Tim Duncan's fundamental excellence. James Harden completed my top five after his shift to point guard resulted in a career-high 29.1 points and 11.2 assists, orchestrating Mike D'Antoni's offense with breathtaking creativity.

The middle of my list featured Russell Westbrook at six after his historic triple-double season averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists—the first since Oscar Robertson. While some critics questioned his efficiency, I found his relentless competitiveness absolutely captivating. Anthony Davis at seven was a statistical marvel with 28 points and 11.8 rebounds, though his Pelicans struggled to find consistency. Chris Paul at eight continued to demonstrate why he's one of the greatest point guards ever, averaging 18.1 points and 9.2 assists while maintaining his trademark efficiency. Giannis Antetokounmpo at nine was the season's breakout star, increasing his scoring from 16.9 to 22.9 points per game and showing glimpses of the superstar he would become. Draymond Green rounded out my top ten as the ultimate glue guy—his 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists don't jump off the page, but his defensive versatility and basketball IQ were invaluable to Golden State's success.

The second tier featured established stars like Damian Lillard (11th), who averaged 27.0 points with incredible clutch performances, and John Wall (12th), whose 23.1 points and 10.7 assists showcased his blazing speed and improved leadership. I had Paul George at 13th despite his quiet consistency—sometimes I think his smooth playing style makes people underestimate his impact. DeMarcus Cousins at 14th was a statistical powerhouse with 27.0 points and 11.0 rebounds, though his teams continued to struggle. Jimmy Butler at 15th embodied the two-way wing that became so valuable in modern basketball, averaging 23.9 points while often guarding the opponent's best player.

Closing out my list, I placed Kyrie Irving at 16th—his spectacular ball-handling and clutch shooting (25.2 points per game) made him one of the most entertaining players to watch. Marc Gasol at 17th brought a cerebral approach to the center position, averaging 19.5 points with exceptional passing for a big man. Klay Thompson at 18th was the ultimate complementary star—his 22.3 points and elite perimeter defense provided the perfect balance to Golden State's offensive firepower. Gordon Hayward at 19th made his first All-Star team with 21.9 points, showcasing an all-around game that made him one of the league's most underrated forwards. I rounded out my top twenty with DeMar DeRozan, whose mid-range mastery produced 27.3 points per game despite his limited three-point shooting.

Looking back, what strikes me about the 2017 rankings is how they captured a moment of transition in NBA history. The established veterans like LeBron and Durant were still dominating, but the next generation led by Giannis and Kawhi were rapidly closing the gap. Ranking players will always involve some subjectivity—stats tell part of the story, but the eye test, clutch performances, and defensive impact complete the picture. As Fajardo wisely noted about preparation and momentum, the best players understand that success requires both physical readiness and mental fortitude. Seven years later, revisiting these rankings feels like examining a snapshot of basketball evolution, with some names maintaining their elite status while others have passed the torch to new superstars. The constant throughout remains the incredible dedication and preparation these athletes demonstrate—the very qualities that make ranking them both challenging and endlessly fascinating for basketball enthusiasts like myself.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.