The first round of the NBA playoffs is always full of intrigue. Nobody knows exactly what to expect, and that's what makes it so exciting. Below is a list of the nine most exciting and interesting things that have come to light in the first round of these playoffs.

1. The Golden State Warriors are just fine

Without their star Stephen Curry, the Warriors stumbled into the postseason, and there were some who thought they didn't have much of a shot to repeat as champions. Two blowout wins and one 3-1 series lead later, the doubters have been silenced. If this team can hold on until Curry returns (which they can), they will be a deadly foe.

2. LeBron James is mortal after all

The King bleeds after all. In a tightly contested series with the Indiana Pacers, the two teams have split the first four games, with the Cavs being carried by LeBron James, however, it has been a humiliating week for his team. The Cavs will only go as far as LeBron can drag them, and people are starting to wonder just how far that is, given how horrible everyone else has been.

3. The New Orleans Pelicans are for real

The Pelicans look like a team possessed. Anthony Davis has been at his best, Rajon Rondo is aging backward and Jrue Holliday emerged from mediocrity to score 41 points in the final game of a 4-0 series sweep. Should I mention that they were the underdog?

4. The Washington Wizards are a better team than we thought

As it turns out, no, the Wizards are not better without John Wall. In fact, since his return from injury the Wizards have made what was supposed to be an easy series for the Raptors a tightly contested one, with both teams having a shot tied 2-2. Speaking of the Raptors...

5. The Toronto Raptors are pretenders

There is no way that a #1 seed should be playing this badly. After a great February and March, the Raptors have returned to Earth and hard. A team that used to play better than the sum of its parts is now playing worse than the sum, and unless someone other than Demar DeRozan can step up, these guys are in trouble.

6. The Philadelphia 76ers are primed for a deep playoff run

It looks like "The Process" is finally complete. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are future stars, and veteran leadership from J.J. Reddick and Marco Bellinelli means that the Sixers could possibly make it to the conference finals, or even the NBA Finals.

7. Donovan Mitchell is a beast

In his first playoff series, Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and has led his team to a 3-1 series lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. In game four, he erupted for 33 points, leading his team to a decisive 113-96 victory. He is quickly becoming one of the most clutch, dominant, must-watch players in the NBA. Oh, and he's a rookie.

8. Damian Lillard is not clutch

Before the playoffs, he was given MVP buzz. Four games and four losses later, it's hard to even remember how great he was in the regular season. When push came to shove, the team needed him, and he couldn't deliver, and now his team has been eliminated because of it.

9. Russell Westbrook isn't the great player We thought he was

When Westbrook won the MVP last year, everyone said that it wasn't his fault that his team wasn't all that great. He didn't really have any great players around him. Now, with Carmelo Anthony and Paul George, the Thunder have still failed to meet expectations. With a 3-1 deficit against the Jazz and elimination all but certain, it's clear to see that Westbrook doesn't make his team better, he only plays well for himself. Russell Westbrook is talented, he just can't win.