No LeBron, Steph or KD? Here are 5 reasons why these NBA playoffs are still compelling WSOC TV [Video]

The NBA playoffs won’t feature LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry in the second round for the first time since 2005. Let that soak in.

But while many fans might lament that fact, it’s an opportunity for other stars to shine. Yes, there’s still plenty more basketball to enjoy this postseason.

Here’s why:

The Ant-Man

We’ve been waiting for a new kind of star, some way to ween us off Steph/LeBron/KD, and while collective energy was poured into Ja Morant for a period, he wasn’t ready for everything that came with being a superstar. Anthony Edwards feels like someone who’s been here before and something we’ve never seen, all at the same time. There’s a magnetism that exists when he plays, when he speaks. A country drawl that seems very authentic, familiar. His game brings about all the comparisons, but having someone embrace all that comes with this — the pressure, the attention …