The Orlando Magic are still not at the top of the marquee. But they are undeniably part of the story the NBA should want to tell.
It is an important distinction. The players are fighting and scrapping to be the last team remaining and lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy in the early summer.
The league is trying to make the most of that competition, promoting its players and telling the stories that will get fans to show up in the stadiums and tune in to games and make their sponsors and TV executives happy.