Reasons to be tuned into this year's NBA playoffs

If you're not watching the NBA playoffs by now, you should be. Players in the eastern and western conferences are breaking postseason records nearly every night, and each game is played with a "win-or-go-home" mentality. If that's not enough to convince you, here are five more reasons to add the NBA playoffs to your daily programming:*** 1. The East: LeBron James is unabashedly out to knock Michael Jordan off the throne as leader of the NBA elite, and he's climbing that ladder with startling speed. His struggle to lead the Miami Heat to another world championship has become even more intense as Paul George and the unpredictable Indiana Pacers fight to stave off elimination in the Eastern Conference finals. While James is favored to bring it all home again this year in an impressive three-peat, the Pacers have made sure it won't be an easy road to ring No. 3.

2. San Antonio: San Antonio Spurs veteran Tim Duncan and coach Gregg Popovich are arguably the most famous duo still active in the league. Together, they've played for 17 seasons and won four championships. It's likely Duncan will retire sometime in the very near future, but millions of fans -- myself included -- hope he does so after bringing home ring five this summer. The Spurs are fighting the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Western Conference Championship, but it's too soon to tell which team will be crowned best in the west.

3. The MVP: He's only been in the league for about seven years, but Kevin Durant plays like an old veteran. The 2014 MVP crashes through each game like a one-man wrecking ball, averaging about 30 points and 9 rebounds per game this postseason. He also gives a heck of a speech. I dare you not to cry when he talks about all the sacrifices his mother made for him during his MVP speech. (Seriously, look it up.)

4. The legacies: I get a lot of flack from people when I tell them NBA is my first love in professional sports. The comments are usually along the lines of "Seriously? College basketball is way better!" or "Pro basketball is a joke now." It's hit some slumps over the years, I'll admit, but this is the year for new legacies to be forged. If James brings home the title he stands toe-to-toe with legendary Larry Bird. If Duncan brings it home, he surpasses Kobe Bryant as the greatest legend still on the court. NBA history is being made here, people.

5. Respect: It's almost painful to see every NBA-related story tainted by the mention of "V. Stiviano" or Donald Sterling. It not only detracts from the amazing work coach Doc Rivers and his players did this season as they attempted to bring that first championship title to the L.A. Clippers franchise, it shows a lack of respect for the game. These players and coaches dedicate their lives to the sport they revere and deserve recognition because of their achievements, not because they were racially profiled by a bitter, out-of-touch team owner.