The Western Conference Semifinals ended a little more than five months ago, yet it seems like a distant memory with the 2016-17 NBA regular reason around the corner. Despite eliminating the Portland Trailblazers in five games, the series was incredibly close as Stephen Curry was inactive through the first three games with a knee injury, and Dub Nation waited with bated breath for his return.
The Portland series was a simpler time—a relatively drama-free precursor to the near-meltdown in the Conference Finals again the Oklahoma City Thunder—where Klay Thompson and Draymond Green shined on a national stage without the presence of the two-time MVP.