Being smack in the middle of the NBA playoffs is a strange place to be, particularly when, somehow, it’s September. There is a whole lot going on right now, the remainder of the league is crammed into the same scant square miles, and these games are moving quickly. If you’re just catching up—or are simply basking in the glow of postseason basketball—here are some thoughts on the state of things as constituted.
1. It feels disingenuous to write a column about playoff storylines without first acknowledging the collective strength of the players, who have handled an extraordinarily difficult situation in the bubble with heart and bravery.