Special to Sports News Highlights

(SNH) — So far, the NBA playoffs have pretty much followed the same script as usual. There’s been a mix of close and exciting games and others that have been decided at halftime.

The most intriguing storylines, however, haven’t really been the games themselves, but the people playing – or not – playing in them.

For the last decade-plus, there have been certain mainstays for the NBA. Barring injury, you knew you’d be seeing guys like Steph Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant (even if their uniforms might be different) going deep into the post season.

As the early going has proven, that’s just not a given this year. For one thing, Curry’s Warriors couldn’t even win the play-in game, which might signal that their once-mighty reign is over. Durant and the Suns just got swept by Minnesota. And while LeBron continues to amaze, it’s clear that he won’t be able to ward off Father Time forever, or even too much longer.

While it may be sad that an era is ending, it’s exciting that a new one appears to be beginning. Every top team seems to have at least one young player who’s on the cusp of superstardom, or perhaps already there. For example, the Timberwolves’ best player Anthony Edwards – who put up 40 points in the elimination game against Phoenix – is just 22 years old.

The Thunder, who have also looked dominant thus far, may have the premier shooting guard in the NBA right now. During the regular season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was third in the league in scoring and helped lead OKC to the number one seed in the West. He’s also a finalist for MVP.

It’s impossible to talk about the youth movement in the NBA without mentioning another MVP candidate: Luka Doncic. While it may feel like he’s been scoring 30 points a game for about a decade, he, like Gilgeous-Alexander, is only 25.

Arguably the best point guard on the eastern seaboard (if not in the entire league) is 27-year-old Jalen Brunson. In addition to carrying the Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the East, in Game 4 against Philadelphia, he did something that hadn’t happened in over 30 years: He was the first player since Michael Jordan to score more than 45 points on over 50 percent shooting and have at least 10 assists in a road playoff game.

What’s perhaps most encouraging for this NBA transition is that so many players are able to contribute right away. Second-year players Paolo Ranchero and Chet Holmgren have been hugely influential in the success of Orlando and OKC, respectively.

And, of course, there’s Victor Wembanyama. While San Antonio didn’t have a great season, their future is clearly a bright one. Not only is he a shoe-in to win Rookie of the Year, he could also take home the Defensive Player of the Year award. Whichever way he celebrates, he may have to make sure the festivities include non-alcoholic beverages, since he won’t be able to drink legally until 2025.

NBA really fans truly have the best of both worlds right now. They get to enjoy the latter years of several future Hall-of-Famers, while also seeing how the kids are taking up the mantle.

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