As we move into the second round, who have been the brightest lights of the NBA postseason?
They come mostly from the NBA's three title contenders and three teams that want to break into the upper crust, including several new stars.
While some of the biggest stories of the postseason have been about injuries and pain, we know that from these things, greatness can come.
And greatness is what we've seen from the following 11 players.
1. LeBron James
Cavaliers
SF
2016 playoff stats:
22.8 PPG | 9.0 RPG
First, the bad news: James just endured his worst shooting season from 3-point territory since he was 19 years old and a rookie. And in their two road wins to end their series with Detroit in a sweep, he made one of his six attempts in each game. Remember this as he moves forward; it's a problem.
On the plus side, his straight-line right-hand blow-bys were as impressive as ever, and he continues to just destroy his Eastern Conference foes with his overall floor game, doing everything for the Cavs in heavy minutes.
2. Dwyane Wade
Heat
SG
2016 playoff stats:
19.0 PPG | 5.0 APG
We hear it all the time: The great ones can get their own shot. It's actually an absurd comment, as plenty of very average NBA players find ways to chuck up all sorts of shots. You don't earn points from getting shots, you have to make them, and in the pivotal Game 6's final minutes, Wade did just that.
Hasn't made a 3 since December? So what, he hit two in last four minutes. Then he made a jumper every bit as difficult as Michael Jordan's famous jumper that beat the Cavs. Wade's basically sealed the win, ensuring the Heat a Game 7 in Miami.
At times Wade looked exhausted in the final stretches, yet he found ways to compete athletically on defense without sacrificing those shotmaking skills, which very likely saved Miami's season. That fatigue may have been the reason he was just solid in Game 7, but the damage had been done. The Heat's blowout never even happens absent Wade's heroics in Charlotte. Miami moves on thanks to their GOAT, who isn't done yet.
3. Kawhi Leonard
Spurs
SF
2016 playoff stats:
22.2 PPG | 2.2 BPG
The emotional press conference of Memphis coach Dave Joerger following Game 4 of the Spurs-Grizzlies sweep shows a side of the NBA most people don't see -- the result of the total investment in the outcome of games that defines most pro sports teams. His team was wildly outmanned but put up a great fight.
It is fair to argue that had Leonard not kicked his game up a few levels in San Antonio's two road games, Memphis could have extended that series. It looked as if Leonard was trying to fit in as the series began, like he was the younger version of himself. Then he remembered he is a likely first-team All-NBA player and decided to be an unstoppable force on both ends.
His 32 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and four steals in the Spurs' Game 3 win might be the single best performance of the playoffs so far. He followed it up with a sparking 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a rout of OKC that also had him being a huge pest to Russell Westbrook. Right before our eyes, Leonard has ascended into "top five in the world" territory.
4. Klay Thompson
Warriors
SG
2016 playoff stats:
25.7 PPG | 45.6 3P%
Beating the Rockets in an easy five games (including four wins by a total of 95 points) is not impressive given the state of the Rockets, but doing so mostly without the world's best player is. Following a 0-for-7 game from deep in the lone Rockets win, Thompson greatly helped make up for not having Stephen Curry by hitting seven of 11 3s in Game 4, then did the same thing the next matchup to end the series by halftime.
His 18 points in the first half of the opening game against Portland was more of the same, as he helped the Warriors ease to yet another blowout win. Getting off to a good start was huge for them, and Klay made that happen (he finished with 37 points on 7-of-14 from 3). He's not just making wide open 3s either, though every smooth shot he takes in traffic looks as effortless as those he gets in space.
Apologies to Draymond Green, his usual do-it-all self, but beating a lackluster Houston team gets you only one name in the top 10.
5. LaMarcus Aldridge
Spurs
PF
2016 playoff stats:
19.2 PPG | 60.0 FG%
He gets lost in the storm of Golden State's success and his teammate's ascension into the top tier of NBA players, but we could argue that Aldridge has reached a new level of dominance that earns "top flight" status alongside Leonard.
On Saturday, he destroyed Oklahoma City. After Leonard started with a dunk, Aldridge made two jumpers and the Thunder never caught up. His performance was so complete, and looked so easy, that Billy Donovan has to reconsider every defensive strategy they employed. His 38 points on 23 shots may not be repeatable, but it definitely looked like he could get close to those numbers in every game if the defense stayed the same.
6. Kyle Korver
Hawks
SG
2016 playoff stats:
45.0 3P% | 5.8 RPG
No Hawks player ranks in the top 20 in postseason points per game, thanks to Atlanta's balance and Boston's defense. But Korver is second overall in 3s made, with 18, and he has hit 45 percent of them.
Korver does more than just make shots, as he is the consummate team defender and hustle guy, but that perimeter shot gives the Hawks a chance to get past LeBron. His ankle injury in Game 2 last season in the East finals against the Cavs was one of the factors that doomed Atlanta. He's not the first guy people talk about but he's a huge part of Atlanta's offensive game plan.
Making 18 of his last 33 3-pointers in the series should give the Hawks confidence he is ready to do what is needed.
7. Paul George
Pacers
SF
2016 playoff stats:
27.3 PPG | 2.0 SPG
From Game 1 in the Indiana-Toronto series, George looked the part of the superstar that he was prior to his injury with Team USA. His swagger matched his performances, combining to help his team truly believe it could pull off the big upset.
After their overwhelming second half effort in Game 6, the Pacers believed they had a chance to do just that. Despite a sub-par first half, George stayed on the attack in Game 6 and found ways to be effective using great driving angles and his surprising power to draw nine fouls and earn 10 free throws.
He tried to play Superman in Game 7, logging 46 minutes, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 boards and three steals, though with seven turnovers. Still, the series exhibited George's status next to Leonard, James, and Kevin Durant in the top tier of the world's small forwards.
8. C.J. McCollum
Blazers
SG
2016 playoff stats:
18.6 PPG | 3.3 APG
The Blazers were obviously fortunate to get to play the Clippers those final games without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. But they still had to win the games on the court.
Getting Game 5 on the road was the pivotal win, and McCollum put together his best game of the series to help secure the game. His 27 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists on terrific shooting, adding two blocks and just committing a single turnover, made him the best player on the court. His ability to dribble weave through traffic and finish creative shots has grown enormously, and is a perfect counter to defenders pressing up on him to challenge his perimeter shot.
McCollum struggled in Game 1 against the Warriors' elite defenders, who are great at challenging on the perimeter while also presenting size at the rim. He will be a key to Portland's chances in the series. Less-than-excellent play from him likely dooms the Blazers pretty quickly.
9. Enes Kanter
Thunder
PF
2016 playoff stats:
13.7 PPG | 6.5 RPG
Bill Walton famously dominated Memphis State in an NCAA title game, making 21 of 22 shots. When the series was in the balance against Dallas, Kanter made 18 of 20 shots in two games, while adding 14 rebounds and having just a single turnover.
He didn't just destroy the Mavs on the offensive glass (15 offensive rebounds in the first four games). Kanter showed he has shooting range, a feel for lurking around the rim before diving to it at the perfect time for a dunk or reverse layup and enough explosion to beat the press with a dribble drive down the middle for a dunk.
In Game 1 of the conference semifinals, he never had a chance to make a major impact versus San Antonio. By the time he checked in, his team was down 30-10.
10. Bismack Biyombo
Raptors
PF
2016 playoff stats:
5.4 PPG | 9.4 RPG
Everyone who left the building in Toronto after Game 5, following the Raptors' much-needed come-from-behind win was probably thinking about DeMar DeRozan's big game. But any coach watching it was probably thinking about how Biyombo saved that game and perhaps the season for Toronto.
While his personal playoff bests of 10 points and 16 rebounds outpaced his production in the rest of the series, every game he brought relentless energy and totally selfless play. It often looks like he wants to win more than any other Raptor, with no regard to how involved he is with that outcome. Every team wants men like that on their side.
He grabbed 21 rebounds in the final two games, and down the stretch of Game 7 his energy and that rebounding were huge parts of their win. The Raps' bench is such an integral weapon for them, and Biyombo is now their energetic leader.
Honorable Mention
Stephen Curry | PG | Warriors
Yes, Curry's spot on this list, just off the top 10, may not seem well deserved, after he didn't play much in a barely competitive five-game series with Houston. But to understand why he's here, all you had to see was Curry's reaction following a Thompson 3-pointer that seemed to seal the deal in the first half of Game 5.
He smiled so hugely it was hard for him not to laugh, so genuine was his joy for his teammate(s), and it's a sign of where this team is at mentally following his two injuries. His investment in his team, likely something that exists hour to hour, is a big part of why the Warriors have taken the NBA by storm for two consecutive seasons.