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I have been so excited about the NBA Playoffs this year. Not because of Bill Walton's brutally honest announcing. No, not because I was anticipating Pat Riley returning to his 12th Conference Semifinal Series. No, not even because I enjoy watching Steve Nash push the hair out of his eyes like a nervous teenage girl.

There was one reason I watched the playoffs this year: LeBron James.

And, yes I was a witness.

The guy is simply amazing. He has almost single handedly put the NBA back on the map. The NBA has long been a distant third to the NFL and Major League Baseball. The gap is getting smaller now because of this 21-year old kid who has left even the biggest stars in the NBA in awe.

Instead of the NBA getting fans attention by courtrooms, brawls with fans, or owners running onto the court to argue calls with referees, the NBA is grabbing the fans attention with a player, just playing basketball. Because, that is what LeBron does. He doesn't excessively showboat. He doesn't give ridiculous comments during interviews. He doesn't get mad at his teammates on the court, and he doesn't get in trouble off the court. He just plays basketball, better then anyone else in the NBA.

Steve Nash is a good player, but LeBron not winning the MVP award this past season was kind of insane.

Now what do we have to look forward too? Rasheed Wallace guaranteeing more victories that he can't follow up on?

(Note to 'Sheed: If you're going to guarantee a victory and act like a jerk about it at that, you might want to score more then seven points your next game.)

I guess I can watch Phoenix play and think about how much better they would be if they had Amare.

I guess I can root for the Clippers, well because they are the Clippers.

But, my interest in the rest of the NBA playoffs has become very minimal. Why? Well, because LeBron James is out. Until next year I guess.

Thank You LeBron for showing me the NBA still is a great game.