Best 2017 basketball news
Here are some of the biggest and most notable basketball news stories from 2017:
- Cavaliers Win NBA Championship: The Cleveland Cavaliers won their second NBA championship in three years, defeating the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, 4-1.
- Kevin Durant Leaves Thunder for Warriors: Superstar forward Kevin Durant shocked the NBA world by leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Golden State Warriors, forming a superteam with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
- Paul George Joins Thunder: Paul George, a perennial All-Star, left the Indiana Pacers to join the Oklahoma City Thunder, reuniting with his former teammate Russell Westbrook.
- Chris Paul Traded to Rockets: The Los Angeles Clippers traded Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets, sending shockwaves through the NBA. Paul joined James Harden and Trevor Ariza to form a formidable trio.
- Kawhi Leonard's Injury: San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard suffered a quadriceps injury that kept him out for most of the season, raising questions about his future with the team.
- NBA Trade Deadline: The 2017 NBA trade deadline saw several blockbuster deals, including the aforementioned Paul George trade, as well as the trade of Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors.
- Joel Embiid's Breakout Season: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid emerged as one of the NBA's top young players, averaging 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
- Ben Simmons' Rookie Season: Philadelphia 76ers point forward Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, had a strong rookie season, averaging 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.
- NBA All-Star Game: The 2017 NBA All-Star Game was played in New Orleans, with Team LeBron defeating Team Stephen, 192-182.
- NBA Playoffs: The 2017 NBA playoffs saw several upsets, including the Golden State Warriors' first-round loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Boston Celtics' Eastern Conference Finals defeat of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
These are just a few of the many notable basketball news stories from 2017. It was a year filled with exciting trades, injuries, and playoff action!