This year's NBA playoffs have already given us epic comebacks, suspensions, MVP season-ending injuries, confrontations with refs, confrontations with fire extinguishers, and (my personal favorite) superstar game winners … and no team has played more than two games.
Though there are definitely favorites, every playoff season brings with it an x-factor that takes a team over the edge. In the last 10 years, we've seen (Robert) Horry's, (Derek) Fisher's, Manu's (Ginobili), and (Rajon) Rondo's become household names because of exceptional playoff appearances and the question now is, "Who will be this year's x-factor player that takes his team over the edge?"
Western Conference
Utah Jazz (No. 8 seed, 36-30)
The Jazz are young and fun to watch, but don't really stand much of a chance against the top-seeded Spurs. The Spurs aren't going to let an eight-seed knock them out like they did last year, and after a 15-point routing in Game 1 and three convincing wins during the regular season, I can only see one real chance for the Jazz to pull it off. In the last meeting of the regular season, the Jazz did manage to take down the Spurs, 91-84. The Jazz's "x-factor" in that game was Greg Popovich. Pop and the Spurs had a playoff spot locked up and decided to sit Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan and thus the Jazz escaped with a victory. I can't see this series going past five games unless Pop decides to rest his stars for a few games again.
Dallas Mavericks (No. 7 seed. 36-30)
You have to respect a defending champion, and because of this, I think the Mavs could actually stand a chance against the crazy talented, crazy athletic OKC Thunder. In Game 1, a shooter's touch is all that gave the home team Thunder the victory at an arena with the most energetic and supportive fans in all of basketball, and Game 2 was only decided by 3 points. If Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs can win their home games, a Game 7 upset could be a-brewin'. In last years' playoff run, Tyson Chandler was the Mavs' x-factor and he is gone. If new face Delonte West can recover from his illness and get hot, he could give the Mavericks a chance to make a run.
Denver Nuggets (No. 6 seed, 38-28)
Though sluggish in Game 1, the Nuggets looked like a playoff team in Game 2. Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum are both playing their best basketball of the season and this doesn't bode well for any of the teams in their path, but if they slow down, the Nuggets might have a chance. Ty Lawson scored 25 points and took control of the game during the Nuggets' fourth-quarter charge. If he can play at that same level for four quarters, the Nuggets could make it a series.
L.A. Clippers (No. 5 seed, 40-26)
Amazing did happen in the Clippers' opener when they erased a 27-point deficit to take home court advantage from the Grizzlies. The game was more than just a win, it was a huge momentum builder and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Clip Show take down the series in four if they steal another one in Memphis. Nick Young and Eric Bledsoe both played outstanding during the fourth quarter heroics, and both deserve "x-factor" consideration, but I think I have to give the title to the superstar.
Chris Paul is arguably the most passionate player in the league and when he was sat down early in the fourth quarter, he literally had to beg his coach to let him "give our team a chance." When he went back on the floor, he simply made the game his own. If the support players can keep on doing what they're doing and Chris Paul stays in attack mode, there just might be a new king of the Staples Center after this playoff run.
Memphis Grizzlies (No. 4 seed, 41-25)
After the aforementioned heartbreaking loss to the Clippers, the Grizz will have to put it behind them if they want to stand a chance against the surging Clippers. Though I really do think the Clippers will now take down the series in four or five games, the Grizzlies are a very good team and if a few things fall into place, they can make a series out of it. They were obviously doing something right to go up by 27 points on a playoff team and if they can slow down the Clippers' offense, they can get some wins. Their scoring attack was pretty even across the board, but no one really stood out. I think the Grizzlies are the only team without an "x-factor" right now, but if Mike Conley, Jr. or O.J. Mayo (or both) can step up their games to help take the pressure off Rudy Gay, they could turn things around for sure.
L.A. Lakers (No. 3 seed, 41-25)
The Lakers are looking very good behind Kobe Bryant, who always seems to look five years younger during the playoffs, and Pau Gasol is playing solid, as well. Bynum is, without a doubt, this team's x-factor and if he continues to play at the level he is playing at, the Lakers are going to be very, very difficult to beat. After proving to the world why he was an all-star starter by posting a triple-double in Game 1, Bynum followed it up with 27 points in Game 2, when scoring was what won the Lakers the game.
OKC Thunder (No. 2 seed, 47-19)
Even with less-than-convincing one-basket victories at home in Games 1 and 2, the Thunder are still my favorite to win the whole shebang. With two of the NBA's top five scorers both playing very well, it will be impossible to beat this team by more than a few points, but if James Harden continues his role as the sixth man of the decade, it will be impossible to beat the Thunder at all. Kevin Durant is hot almost every single night, so the Thunder's x-factor title has to go to his Robin in this case. When Russell Westbrook is hot, he is as good as a scorer as Durant and his energy (as well as the fans' in OKC) just propels everyone around him to be that much better. If he plays solid throughout, the Thunder will win the championship.
San Antonio (No. 1 seed, 50-16)
The Spurs are old, no doubt, but they are still a great basketball team. If they make their way to the Western Conference finals and they play the Thunder, it will be like watching Sam Perkins play Nate Robinson in a one-on-one game, but being exciting doesn't necessarily get you victories. I think health will be the Spurs' x-factor, and if they can take down series in five or six games to give themselves rest, they have as good a chance of winning as the Thunder.
Eastern Conference
Philadelphia 76ers (No. 8 seed, 35-31)
Though absolutely dismal after the All-Star break (10-14) I was glad to see the Sixers sneak into the playoffs. Most people are pointing the finger at the Bulls after their Game 2 loss because of the absence of Derrick Rose, but the Bulls were 18-9 without Rose during the regular season, so I point my finger at the 76ers and say, "Way to go!" Jrue Holliday was exceptional and if he plays like he is capable of playing, he can be the x-factor that carries the Sixers into the second round. Scoring leader Lou Williams played well and all-star Andre Iguodala did, as well. If Jrue continues his high level of playing, I think a few more people might join me in pointing the finger towards the 76ers, too.
New York Knicks (No. 7 seed, 36-30)
After a (metaphorical and literal) knock-out punch in Game 2 against the Heat, I don't see much of a chance for the Knicks. Iman Shumpert was a huge loss, as he is the only guy on that team that can keep Dwyane Wade at bay and I think Wade will be even bigger when he goes to New York for the next two games. The only "x-factor" to help the Knicks make a series out of this one would be the long ball. When Carmelo Anthony is hot, he simply does not miss. If he can put the team on his back and get some shooting help from Steve Novak and the gang, they might stand a chance. Amar'e Stoudemire might have "handed" the Heat Game 3 but if he comes back, the middle (alongside Tyson Chandler) isn't a place anyone wants to go. If they can make the series a shootout, maybe we'll see more than four games.
Orlando Magic (No. 6 seed, 37-29)
Dwight Howard was the reason the Magic were good this year. After he went down, I thought they would be a joke against the Pacers, but after winning Game 1 (the only game I didn't watch over the weekend, thinking it would be 125-40) I am happy to say I was way off. I don't think anyone would argue who the Magic's x-factor has to be, and that is Glen Davis. No one can be Dwight Howard, but he was darn close in the first game of the series. Glen held down the paint and scored 16 points and grabbed 13 boards (Howard averaged 20 and 14, not bad). In Game 2, Big Baby still put up the points (18), but only corralled 3 defensive rebounds. Not what you need from your starting center. If Glen can control the paint, the Howard-less Magic could definitely prove me wrong.
Atlanta Hawks (No. 5 seed, 40-26)
After an exceptional series-opener where he went for 22 points and 18 rebounds, I would love to say that Josh Smith is the Hawks' x-factor, but an untimely injury (which I guess they all are in the playoffs) in Game 2 made me go searching somewhere else. With no one in their lineup to replace Smith's size and athleticism down low, another starter will have to step up and take some of the scoring load off Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson. Kirk Heinrich isn't known for scoring, but if he gets open threes, he knocks them down. I think if the Hawks can run some off ball screens and get Heinrich in a rhythm, he could be the x-factor they need to make a run.
Boston Celtics (No. 4 seed, 39-27)
Though Rajon Rondo's chest bump was stupid, I think it will prove advantageous in the long run. With the spotlight given back to Paul Pierce in Game 2, due to the Rondo suspension, he went absolutely batty and put up 36 points. Pierce is at his best when he is confident and having the whole team on his back and coming out with a victory, his confidence is, no doubt, sky-high. Rondo plays at his best when he has something to prove (very Kobe-esque) and after the suspension, I think he is going to be incredible the rest of the series.
Indiana Pacers (No. 3 seed, 42-24)
The Pacers have, arguably, the most balanced starting five in the NBA. If they can continue the balanced offensive attack they have, they will continue winning games. Their defense is great, and will continue to be, but they definitely need one of the balanced five to step up his game and I think it will be David West. West was "the man" in New Orleans and is definitely not talked about near as much in Indiana, but I think the playoffs could be his time to reclaim the limelight. West needs to be the x-factor for the Pacers, and if he is, they can go deep.
Miami Heat (No. 2 seed, 46-20)
The Heat look disgustingly good and are my favorite to take down the east. The big three are all playing exactly how they should be playing and could triple-handedly take the team to the Eastern Finals, but then they will need someone else to step up when LeBron James and D-Wade have to go up against one of the pesky defenses that define the teams in the top spots in the East. I think this x-factor has to be James Jones off the bench. He is one of the purest shooters in the league and has already been impressive in the playoffs. If he plays his role and knocks down a few clutch threes, I think the Heat are a shoe-in to the finals and could definitely take down the Thunder (or whoever ends up being there).
Chicago Bulls (No. 1 seed, 50-16)
Losing an MVP is never a good thing, but Tom Thibodeau is one of the best coaches in the game and knows how to use what he has. I don't count the Rose-less Bulls out for one second. If everyone continues to play their roles (C.J. Watson and John Lucas III are both very good point guards) the games will stay close and the Bulls will have chances to win. Where the Bulls' x-factor position needs filled is a finisher. If Rip Hamilton can take the reins late and shoot the ball with the confidence he had during the Pistons' championship runs, the Bulls could make a run of their own.
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