Drama is at the centre of early-season NBA intrigue

There has been some early tinkering to lineups, a few hiccups and lots of drama to start the National Basketball Association season.

None of the league’s final four teams from last season — the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors — look like locks to hoist the

Larry O’Brien Trophy this time.

The addition of Carmelo Anthony to the Rockets’ roster produced more thorns than fruit, and now he is out.

In Boston, the Celtics are having early trouble trying to figure out how best to use their overflowing mix of young and veteran talent following the return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward from injuries.

And Cleveland has gotten off to a predictable slow start to the post-LeBron James era, but few expected the total collapse by the Cavaliers.

However, there is no drama like championship drama and the defending champion Warriors suddenly look more like the cast of a reality series than a harmonious lineup rolling along and vying for a third straight championship.

Draymond’s Green public outburst at Kevin Durant during the Warriors’ overtime loss to the Clippers on Nov. 12 lingers.

Now there is tension on a team that has managed to remain mostly drama-free during its run.

Durant’s impending free agency, Green’s lack of an apology, and Steph Curry’s injury has opened a window for teams.

Some of the NBA’s most recent mini-dynasties have dissipated because of infighting.

Squabbling between Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls management at least contributed to their decline after Jordan’s second three-peat and subsequent second retirement in 1999. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t coexist long enough to extend the Los Angeles Lakers’ run of three straight titles from 2000 to ’02.

Green has vowed the Warriors will still be there in the end.

That remains to be seen.