von Neumann Algebras and measures

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I read that any abelian von Neumann algebra is isomorphic to $L^\infty(X,\mu)$ for some $X$ and $\mu$. This seems to be reasons, to consider any von Neumann Algebra as non-commutative measurable space. Could someone explain to me why? And if I look at Type $II_1$ factors, is the trace some sort of measure? Thank you