NBA: The reemergence of LeBron James and 5 other things to be thankful for

NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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NBA Boston Celtics Kemba Walker (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

A competitive Eastern Conference

There are four really good teams in the Eastern Conference this season. I’m not sure if that’s something that we could’ve said a year ago. Last season, the Milwaukee Bucks dominated their way through the East before eventually losing to an up-and-coming Philadelphia 76ers team.

This season, there are four legit teams that, at least to a certain extent, could legitimately make a deep run in the playoffs. The Bucks likely won’t run through the regular season, and the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics have been a pleasant surprise.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is still far and away from the best player in the conference – and will likely be the favorite to repeat as NBA MVP – but it appears, at least early on, the Bucks will have some stiff competition to win homecourt throughout the playoffs.