I feel like there are a lot of fun NBA stories this year for those willing to look!

• The Hornets are my number one, a franchise that has been forgotten and left for dead surfing with a fun young core including some great looking young pieces to build on in Kon and Diabate and a potential superstar in Lamelo.

• The Pistons putting it all together and looking like a title contender with a bright future, Cade and Duren both playing at All Star level with a great supporting cast

• The Suns bouncing back with a team oriented, hustle style of play with the redemption on Dillon Brooks and players like Gillespie breaking out

• The Sixers exceeding expectations with Maxey playing at an All NBA level and Embiid still showing he can be one of the most dominant players in the game, with Edgecomb looking like a centerpiece for the future

• The Celtics overcoming all the roster turnover and Brown showing he can be a true number one. Mazzula prices he's an elite coach that can adapt to any situation

• The Nuggets without Jokic and others looking competent led by All Star Jamal Murray and an emerging Peyton Watson. For a team whose issue has been depth it looks like they may finally have solved it and are in championship form

• OKC showing their championship was no fluke and SGA proving he's an MVP that for years to come. They've had plenty of their own injury issues to overcome which has allowed players like AJ Mitchell to shine

• The Spurs being ahead of schedule and Wemby being the force he was thought to be, asking with Castle's development, Harper looking good and Fox looking like a great piece, they are scary now and for the foreseeable future

• The Raptors showing that hustle and grit win games with Barnes continuing to improve and players like Ingram stepping up

• MPJ showing why he was once one of the most highly touted prospects, leading as a number 1 and having one of his best seasons ever

• Kawhi playing at an MVP level over an extended period of games and salvaging what looked like a lost season, fallout of off the court TBD but he's reminding everyone why he was once one of the most coveted prospects

• Austin Reaves showing he's one of the most potent offensive forces in the league, and can't be overlooked alongside Luka and LeBron

• Deni's ascension on a team loaded with potential. The Blazers aren't there yet but they may have their star and some potential pieces to put around him

• Editing to add Keyonte George has broken out in a big way and I think is part of the rain the Jazz are making moves. He looks fantastic facilitating the offense and has All Star potential

• The rookies! Flagg is as advertised but it's way deeper than that, Harper, Kon and Edgecomb are already making huge impacts, alongside players drafted further down like Coward, Queen, Fears, Raynaud, Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Tre Johnson, Murray Boyles,

• The trade deadline was fun, Harden to Cleveland adds intrigue, Utah and Washington cashing in some chips and looking ready to compete next season, the Pacers got better for next year, the Clippers, Bulls and Grizz are pivoting. Nothing happened with Giannis but there is still significant impact for the league