Looking back at the 2017 NBA playoffs, I still get chills thinking about how unpredictable the championship race felt that year. As someone who’s spent years analyzing basketball odds and team dynamics, I remember telling friends and colleagues that this was one of the most wide-open postseasons in recent memory. The Golden State Warriors were the obvious favorites, but the landscape felt different—more volatile, more emotional, and frankly, more exciting for fans and analysts alike.
I vividly recall watching the Cavaliers and Warriors dominate their respective conferences, but what fascinated me most were the dark horses. Teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics weren’t just there to make up the numbers; they had legitimate, albeit slim, paths to the title. Let’s talk numbers for a second. According to most major sportsbooks at the time, the Warriors entered the playoffs with championship odds hovering around -200, which in layman’s terms meant they were heavily favored. The Cavaliers followed at roughly +350, while the Spurs and Rockets lingered in the +1200 to +1800 range. Now, I’ve always believed odds don’t tell the whole story—momentum, injuries, and even a single player’s hot streak can flip everything on its head.
Take, for example, a moment that reminds me of the reference about Caitlin Viray and Trisha Tubu from a different sport but with a similar high-stakes vibe. In game-changing scenarios, whether it’s basketball or another competitive setting, clutch performances define legacies. In the 2017 playoffs, we saw Kyrie Irving hit dagger threes, Kawhi Leonard lock down opponents defensively, and Stephen Curry pull up from way downtown in crucial moments. Those “clutch attacks,” as the reference puts it, often decide close contests. I remember thinking during the Warriors-Spurs Western Conference Finals how one or two key plays could’ve shifted the entire series. If Kawhi hadn’t gone down with that ankle injury in Game 1, who knows? Maybe the Spurs, with odds around +1400, could’ve pulled off an upset. That’s the beauty of playoff basketball—it’s a nip-and-tuck battle where anything can happen, much like the four-set contest described in the reference.
From my perspective, the teams with the best championship chances weren’t just the ones with the star power, but those with depth and resilience. The Warriors, for instance, boasted a historic lineup with Kevin Durant joining an already stacked roster. Their offensive rating that season was off the charts, something like 115.6 points per 100 possessions, which is just insane when you compare it to league averages. But I’ve always had a soft spot for underdogs, and I found myself rooting for teams like the Washington Wizards, who had odds as long as +5000 but played with a grit that made them dangerous in any given game. John Wall’s speed and Bradley Beal’s shooting could’ve sparked a Cinderella run if a few bounces went their way.
As the playoffs unfolded, I kept track of how odds shifted in real-time. For example, after the Celtics dropped the first two games to the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals, their title odds plummeted from around +2500 to something like +10000. Yet, they fought back to win a game, showing that heart can sometimes beat the numbers. In the end, though, the Warriors’ firepower was too much. They closed out the Cavs in five games, and looking back, I’d say their championship probability was probably north of 70% once they got past the Spurs. But let’s not forget the human element—fatigue, locker room chemistry, and even luck play huge roles. I’ve seen teams with better odds crumble under pressure, and that’s why I always emphasize that analytics only go so far.
In conclusion, while the 2017 NBA playoffs might seem like a foregone conclusion in hindsight, the journey was filled with twists that made it a bettor’s nightmare and a fan’s dream. The Warriors deserved their odds, but if I had to pick a team that overperformed relative to their chances, I’d go with the Celtics—they pushed boundaries and set the stage for future success. Reflecting on it now, I’m reminded that in sports, as in life, the best plans can fall apart in a heartbeat, but that’s what keeps us coming back for more. Whether you’re analyzing odds or just enjoying the game, never underestimate the power of a clutch moment to change everything.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
