The 2016–17 NBA season was the 71st season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 25, 2016, with the 2016 NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers hosting a game against the New York Knicks. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game was played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 19, 2017, with the West defeating the East 192–182. Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans was named the All Star Game MVP after breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record by scoring 52 points in the All Star Game. The original host of the game, Charlotte's Spectrum Center, was removed as the host on July 21, 2016, due to the league's opposition against North Carolina's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. The regular season ended on April 12, 2017, and the playoffs began on April 15, 2017, and ended on June 12, 2017, with the Golden State Warriors going 16–1 in the playoffs and beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games during their third consecutive matchup in the NBA Finals. This was the last season for the NBA to use Adidas jerseys. Starting with the 2017–18 NBA season, the jerseys were from Nike. Additionally, Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors, and Dwyane Wade with the Chicago Bulls, after playing their entire careers until then with one team (Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat, respectively).
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Retirement On July 11, 2016, Tim Duncan officially announced his retirement after playing 19 seasons, winning five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs. On July 12, 2016, Wang Zhizhi officially announced his retirement from professional basketball. Zhizhi played for three NBA teams during his 20-year playing career. On July 25, 2016, Sasha Kaun officially announced his retirement after playing only one season in the NBA, winning one NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. On July 26, 2016, Amar'e Stoudemire officially announced his retirement from the NBA after signing a ceremonial contract with the New York Knicks so he could officially end his 14-season career as an NBA player, and went to play in Israel. On September 23, 2016, Kevin Garnett officially announced his retirement after playing 21 seasons, winning one NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. Garnett was the last remaining active player from the 1995 NBA draft. On September 26, 2016, Paul Pierce officially announced that the 2016–17 season would be his last after playing 19 seasons, winning one NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. On September 26, 2016, Mo Williams officially announced his retirement after playing 13 seasons, winning one NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. On October 20, 2016, Elton Brand officially announced his retirement after playing 17 seasons. On November 1, 2016, Ray Allen officially announced his retirement after playing 18 seasons, winning two NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Prior to announcing his retirement, Allen had not played since the end of the 2013–14 season. Allen was the last remaining active player from the 1996 NBA draft. On November 25, 2016, Kevin Martin announced his retirement from the NBA after playing 12 seasons. On December 6, 2016, Steve Blake announced his retirement from the NBA after playing 13 seasons in the NBA, and one season in the NBL in Australia. On December 19, 2016, DeShawn Stevenson announced his retirement from the NBA after playing 13 seasons, winning one NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks. On January 6, 2017, Matt Bonner officially announced his retirement after playing 12 seasons, winning two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs.
Free agency Free agency negotiations began on July 1, 2016, at 12:01 a.m. e.t. Players were allowed to sign starting on July 6, after the July moratorium ended.
Coaching changes + Coaching changesOff-seasonTeam2015–16 season2016–17 seasonBrooklyn NetsTony Brown (interim)Kenny AtkinsonMinnesota TimberwolvesSam Mitchell (interim)Tom ThibodeauWashington WizardsRandy WittmanScott BrooksLos Angeles LakersByron ScottLuke WaltonSacramento KingsGeorge KarlDave JoergerIndiana PacersFrank VogelNate McMillanOrlando MagicScott SkilesFrank VogelMemphis GrizzliesDave JoergerDavid FizdaleHouston RocketsJ. B. Bickerstaff (interim)Mike D'AntoniNew York KnicksKurt Rambis (interim)Jeff Hornacek
Off-season On April 14, 2016, Sam Mitchell was relieved of his interim head coaching duties as the coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves after the last game of the season, allowing them to look for a permanent coach. On April 14, 2016, the Washington Wizards fired Randy Wittman after the team missed the playoffs. On April 14, 2016, George Karl was fired by the Sacramento Kings after a disappointing 2015–16 season in which the Kings went 33–49. On April 17, 2016, it was announced that Kenny Atkinson would be coaching with the Brooklyn Nets. On April 19, 2016, Earl Watson would remove the interim coach tag he had last season and would be the coach of the Phoenix Suns for the next three years. On April 20, 2016, the Timberwolves agreed to sign Tom Thibodeau to be their head coach and president of basketball operations. He was previously an assistant coach for the team from 1989 to 1991. On April 25, 2016, the Lakers did not exercise their option on Scott's contract for the following season, deciding to pursue a new coach. His 38–126 (.232) record with the team was the worst of any of the 16 coaches who had led the franchise for at least two seasons. On April 26, 2016, the Washington Wizards hired Scott Brooks to be their head coach. On April 29, 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers hired Warriors Coach Luke Walton to become their new head coach. Walton led the Warriors to a 24–0 start in the 2015–16 season when Steve Kerr was sidelined. On May 5, 2016, despite making the playoffs, Pacers' president Larry Bird announced that Frank Vogel's contract would not be renewed, citing a need for a new voice to lead the players. On May 7, 2016, the Memphis Grizzlies fired Dave Joerger after the team was swept in the first round. On May 9, 2016, the Sacramento Kings hired Dave Joerger to become their new head coach, just two days after he was fired by the Memphis Grizzlies. On May 12, 2016, Scott Skiles resigned as head coach of the Orlando Magic after only one season with the team. On May 16, 2016, the Indiana Pacers named their assistant head coach Nate McMillan to become their new head coach. On May 20, 2016, the Orlando Magic announced that they signed Frank Vogel to become their head coach. On May 29, 2016, David Fizdale, former Miami Heat assistant coach, was named as the Memphis Grizzlies head coach. On June 1, 2016, the Houston Rockets named Mike D'Antoni as their new head coach. On June 2, 2016, the New York Knicks announced Jeff Hornacek as their new head coach.
In-season There were no head coaching changes during the regular season. This was the first time since the 1963–64 NBA season that there was no in-season coaching changes, the fourth time this happened in league history.
Preseason The preseason began on October 1, 2016, and ended on October 21, 2016.
Regular season The regular season began on October 25, 2016. Christmas Day games were played on December 25, 2016. The regular season ended on April 12, 2017. The schedule was released at 6:00 p.m. ET on August 11, 2016.
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
By conference
Notes z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs y – Clinched division title x – Clinched playoff spot * – Division leader e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Tiebreakers Eastern Conference Cleveland clinched #2 seed over Toronto based on head-to-head record (3–1). Milwaukee clinched #6 seed over Indiana based on head-to-head record (3–1). Chicago clinched #8 seed over Miami based on head-to-head record (2–1).
Western Conference LA Clippers clinched #4 seed over Utah based on head-to-head record (3–1)
Playoffs
The 2017 NBA Playoffs began on April 15, 2017. In May 2017, ESPN aired the Western Conference Finals and TNT aired the Eastern Conference Finals. The season ended with the 2017 NBA Finals which began on June 1, 2017, and ended on June 12, 2017, on ABC.
Bracket
Statistics
Individual statistic leaders Category Player Team Statistic Points per game Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 31.6 Rebounds per game Hassan Whiteside Miami Heat 14.1 Assists per game James Harden Houston Rockets 11.2 Steals per game Draymond Green Golden State Warriors 2.03 Blocks per game Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz 2.64 Turnovers per game James Harden Houston Rockets 5.7 Fouls per game DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings/New Orleans Pelicans 3.9 Minutes per game LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers 37.8 FG% DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers 71.4% FT% CJ McCollum Portland Trail Blazers 91.2% 3FG% Kyle Korver Atlanta Hawks/Cleveland Cavaliers 45.1% Player efficiency rating Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 30.7 Double-doubles James Harden Houston Rockets 64 Triple-doubles Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 42
Individual game highs Category Player Team Statistic Points Devin Booker Phoenix Suns 70Rebounds Hassan Whiteside Miami Heat 25 DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz Assists Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 22 Steals Draymond Green Golden State Warriors 10Blocks Brook Lopez Brooklyn Nets 8 Robin Lopez Chicago Bulls Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz Three-pointers Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors 13
Team statistic leaders Category Team Statistic Points per game Golden State Warriors 116.0 Rebounds per game Oklahoma City Thunder 46.6 Assists per game Golden State Warriors 30.4 Steals per game Golden State Warriors 9.5 Blocks per game Golden State Warriors 6.7 Turnovers per game Philadelphia 76ers 16.0 FG% Golden State Warriors 49.5% FT% Charlotte Hornets 81.5% 3FG% San Antonio Spurs 39.1% +/− Golden State Warriors +11.6
Awards
Yearly awards
Awards were presented at the NBA Awards ceremony, which were held on June 26. Finalists for voted awards were announced during the playoffs and winners were presented at the award ceremony. The All-NBA Teams were announced in advance in order for teams to have all the necessary information to make off-season preparations. + 2016–17 NBA awards Award Recipient(s) Runner(s)-up/Finalists Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) James Harden (Houston Rockets)Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs) Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs) Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon (Milwaukee Bucks) Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)Dario Šarić (Philadelphia 76ers) Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets) Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors)Lou Williams (Los Angeles Lakers/Houston Rockets) Most Improved Player Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) Coach of the Year Mike D'Antoni (Houston Rockets) Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) Executive of the Year Bob Myers (Golden State Warriors) NBA Sportsmanship Award Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets) J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) Community Assist Award Isaiah Thomas (Boston Celtics)
All-NBA First Team: F Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs F LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers C Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans G James Harden, Houston Rockets G Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
All-NBA Second Team: F Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks C Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors G Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
All-NBA Third Team: F Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls F Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors