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Breaking Down the Odds for the 2017 NBA Championship Contenders
2025-11-16 09:00
As I sit here analyzing the championship landscape for the 2017 NBA season, I can't help but draw parallels to that incredible TNT vs San Miguel game from the PBA that keeps popping into my mind. You know, the one where TNT opened that massive 61-41 halftime lead before barely surviving San Miguel's furious fourth quarter comeback to win 99-96. That game perfectly illustrates what we're looking at in this NBA championship race - teams building substantial advantages early, only to face relentless challenges down the stretch. What fascinates me about championship odds isn't just who might win, but how they'll navigate those critical moments when everything's on the line.
Looking at the Golden State Warriors, they're sitting at what I consider ridiculously low odds of 2-5, and honestly, I think they might even be undervalued. Having watched basketball for over twenty years, I've rarely seen a team with this much firepower and chemistry. They're like that TNT team that built that 20-point halftime lead - when they're clicking, they're virtually unstoppable. Their offensive rating of 115.6 last season was historically great, and adding Kevin Durant to a 73-win team feels almost unfair. What really stands out to me is their pace-and-space system, which creates mismatches everywhere on the floor. I've charted their games extensively, and the way they move without the ball is something every coach should study. Still, their bench depth concerns me slightly - losing key rotation players might hurt them more than people think in a seven-game series.
The Cleveland Cavaliers at 3-1 odds present what I believe is the most intriguing value play. LeBron James in his seventh consecutive Finals appearance is chasing history, and I've learned never to bet against him when it matters most. Their defensive efficiency rating of 108.0 last season doesn't tell the whole story - when they lock in during playoffs, they're a different beast entirely. Watching them reminds me of how San Miguel fought back in that fourth quarter - relentless, experienced, and never counting themselves out. What really stands out in my analysis is their three-point shooting - they attempted 33.9 per game last postseason and made them at a 38% clip. That spacing creates driving lanes for LeBron that are practically impossible to defend. My concern is their age - at an average of 30.2 years, they're among the oldest teams in contention, and that could show in back-to-back playoff games.
Now, the San Antonio Spurs at 8-1 odds - this is where I differ from most analysts. Everyone keeps talking about their system and culture, but having studied their roster construction, I'm not convinced they have enough athleticism to keep up with either Golden State or Houston. Their net rating of +7.9 during the regular season was impressive, but they got outscored by 9.3 points per 100 possessions in their playoff matchups against elite teams. Kawhi Leonard is phenomenal - I've charted his defensive possessions and he might be the best perimeter defender I've seen since Scottie Pippen - but I question whether he has enough help on the offensive end. Their half-court offense ranked just 14th in efficiency last season, which won't cut it against top-tier defenses.
The Houston Rockets at 12-1 present what I consider a fascinating dark horse scenario. Mike D'Antoni's system has transformed them into an offensive juggernaut, averaging 115.3 points per 100 possessions. James Harden's evolution into a point guard has been remarkable to watch - his assist percentage jumped from 34.0% to 50.7% last season, which is one of the largest single-season increases I've recorded in my career. Their pace factor of 102.1 plays right into their strengths, but their defensive rating of 106.4 keeps me skeptical about their championship viability. I've noticed they struggle particularly in transition defense, allowing 1.18 points per possession in those situations.
What really stands out to me after analyzing all the data is how much the three-point shot has changed championship calculus. Teams are attempting 28.9 three-pointers per game now compared to just 18.0 a decade ago. This shift has created more volatile scoring runs - much like that frantic fourth quarter comeback we saw in that TNT game - where leads can evaporate in minutes rather than quarters. The team that can maintain defensive discipline while embracing offensive innovation will likely prevail.
In my professional assessment, the Warriors remain the clear favorites, but the value lies with Cleveland at their current odds. The playoffs come down to star power and execution in crunch time, and having LeBron James gives the Cavaliers a psychological edge that doesn't show up in traditional statistics. Having witnessed numerous championship runs throughout my career, I've learned that regular season success often doesn't translate to postseason dominance. The team that wins will likely be the one that can build substantial leads like TNT did in that first half, while having the resilience to withstand the inevitable comeback attempts that define championship basketball.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
