The NBA's big second-half storylines

ByETHAN SHERWOOD STRAUSS
February 17, 2014, 1:42 PM

— -- For three years, The Decision and its ensuing backlash animated interest in the league. As we exit this All-Star break and enter the homestretch of the 2013-14 season, newer storylines predominate. Oddly, LeBron James' success means his shadow doesn't loom so large over the NBA. Three NBA Finals trips and two titles have sapped the sting of public anger. We've watched the Miami Heat go from imperious upstarts to grizzled veterans, fighting to defend their turf.

In a post-Decision world, other topics can dominate a news cycle. Is Paul George an offensive superstar? Are the Clippers contenders? What about the Rockets? Has Kevin Durant moved beyond needing Russell Westbrook? The discourse has, finally, broadened beyond LeBron.

Has Durant passed LeBron? If so, who dares to say it?

There's often a lag between accomplishment and reputation. LeBron was better than Kobe years before the NBA accepted that as truth. Michael Jordan had probably been playing better than Magic Johnson seasons before a Bulls title forced the basketball world to admit it.

Are we now in this denial moment with Kevin Durant and LeBron James? Most would agree that Durant is the deserving MVP as of today, but few would say he's a better player than LeBron. Such a disconnect is untenable over a long period of time, though. Perhaps this is just a blip, and LeBron will return to being near objectively superior to all. But if Durant continues to outperform him through season's end? The King may soon be deposed.