NBA: Top Five Stories As The 2016-17 Stretch Run Begins

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Feb 15, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) runs onto the floor prior to the game against the New York Knicks at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Before the 2016-17 NBA season began, fans were pessimistic about how predictable the league would be. However, curveballs have been thrown, and the first half of the year has been a wild ride

As the 2016-17 NBA All-Star weekend festivities begins to wind down in New Orleans, it’s the perfect time to reminisce a bit on the “first half” of the season.

Trade rumors have been endless, the Knicks are imploding, and two All-Stars is just not enough help for LeBron James, who wants another playmaker.

For a season in which the NBA Finals matchup was practically already set, the MVP race was a runaway, and the No. 1 overall pick’s debut was to be delayed, the first half of the 2016-17 campaign has been a fun one. The NBA continues to prove that – even with its predictability – excitement can occur from the oddest sources over the course of a season in The Association.

In no particular order, I selected the top five narratives of the league at the All-Star break.

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