If you’re anything like me, at this point in the school year you’re feeling stretched a bit thin. You’re fed up with classes, overworked at your job and you’re a little frustrated that Columbia weather can’t seem to make up its mind. Luckily for us, the NBA Playoffs have arrived just in time to distract us from our otherwise depressing workload.

For NBA fans, the playoffs are the culmination of a marathon season. They are the point at which we find out if all that time glued to the TV screen was worth it, or if the 50-win team an entire city had depended on was nothing more than a glorified tease (example: Dallas Mavericks, every season). Champions are crowned, losers are forgotten, and LeBron is booed ruthlessly by 20,000 strong. To put it simply, it’s a thing of beauty.

And if the mere thought of it doesn’t get you excited, just think that this could be the greatest postseason of all time (and to clarify, “of all time” means “since 1990”). That’s a lofty statement, especially coming from a Bulls fan that witnessed six championships and countless memorable MJ performances in the 1990’s. Still, this season has featured more athleticism and young talent than the league has ever seen, and that is sure to translate into unforgettable postseason moments.

If there’s one word to sum up what we’ve seen so far, it’s “parity”. In this postseason, there’s no such thing as a heavy home favorite. Both of the Western Conference’s top seeds lost their opening round games at home, and the top two teams from the Eastern Conference were taken to the brink as well. In a league this talented, I’m not sure there will be a series sweep all postseason. Sure, there are top dogs, but if the favorites overlook their opponents even for a second, they are going to be staring at a series deficit. If you don’t believe me, just ask Pau Gasol.

The other thing this playoffs features, perhaps more than in any other season, is star players who refuse to let their teams lose. Just look at Chicago’s win against Indiana on Saturday. The Bulls trailed the Pacers by double digits late, and in that situation any other team may have folded. But the Bulls had Derrick Rose, and in the end that’s what really mattered. The future-MVP had this look in his eye, similar to Joey Chestnut when standing before a plate of hot dogs. It was an unshakable confidence that can’t really be taught. They weren’t going to lose, and he was willing to drag his teammates across the finish line if he had to. Which he did.

And incredibly, there are several players who share that same poise. Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 fourth quarter points to lift Dallas over feisty Portland. Chris Paul poured in 33 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds and four steals to beat the defending champion Lakers nearly by himself. These players all racked up career highlight performances, all in the opening weekend of the 2011 playoffs. What else can we expect going forward?

In the end, if you can’t appreciate what this postseason has to offer, then you just don’t like basketball (that, or you’re jaded by Mizzou Athletics’ recent hiring). Either way, I advise you to sit back, relax and enjoy the show. We’re in for a hell of a ride.