X-Factor Players for Every NBA Playoff Contender

X-Factor Players for Every NBA Playoff Contender
Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) celebrates a 3-point shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday Jan. 28, 2015, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 113-102. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Zachary Stieber
3/8/2015
Updated:
3/8/2015

Sometimes they’re the stars, and sometimes they’re the role players. But every team has x-factor players they need to play well, or else the chances of winning decrease significantly.

Check out x-factor players for every playoff contender below, starting at the top.

Atlanta Hawks -- Kyle Korver

The sharpshooter doesn’t garner huge stats but opens up the floor considerably for his teammates even when he’s not scoring much--the kind of impact that x factors make.

Korver is a reliable catch-and-shoot threat who also doesn’t forget to play some defense. His impact on offense isn’t always recorded statistically, but Atlanta’s offense benefits from opponents jumping every time Korver touches the ball. 

In traditional terms, Korver is shooting just a shade under 50 percent from long range this season, shooting six attempts a game. The Hawks typically score 106.3 points per 100 possessions; that number climbs to 110.7 with Korver on the floor.

Golden State Warriors -- Draymond Green

Listed as a forward, Green can guard the majority of the players in the league, enabling Steve Kerr to utilize him in small-ball lineups.

Green is strong enough to handle bigger players on defense, and quick enough and a good enough shooter to present a matchup problem on the other end. Kerr has been using Green as an extremely short center lately, to great success.

Green’s 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in about 32 minutes are nice stats that indicate how important the 25-year-old is to the Warriors. 

Memphis Grizzlies -- Zach Randolph

Marc Gasol and Mike Conley earned more attention this season, but Randolph was also among those who deserved an All-Star berth.

His impact on the Grizzlies old-school offense is evident when watching the team. Memphis is 4-6 without Randolph this season and 39-11 with him.

Randolph makes the Grizzlies offense better, as the team scores 107.3 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor compared to 103.7 points without him. He also improves an already stingy defense, helping hold opponents to 99.8 points per 100 possessions when he’s playing compared to 100.4 when he’s not.

Portland Trail Blazers -- Nic Batum and Arron Afflalo

The Wesley Matthews injury hurts Portland, ripping away the team’s best three-point shooter and one of its best defenders.

Batum and Afflalo will both get more minutes, especially Afflalo (who was playing only 27.8 minutes a game with Portland), and need to help replace Matthews’ high level of production. Neither Batum (29 percent) nor Afflalo (34 percent) are shooting well from long range this season, and both need to shoot better. 

The backup wings will be important for the Blazers now that Afflalo moves into the starting lineup, but Terry Stotts won’t play them much once the playoffs start. 

Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard (12) shoots over Phoenix Suns' Alex Len (21), of Ukraine, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard (12) shoots over Phoenix Suns' Alex Len (21), of Ukraine, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

 

Houston Rockets -- Dwight Howard

James Harden is the unquestioned offensive leader for the Rockets but the team needs Howard for his defensive presence once the playoffs roll around.

Donatas Motiejunas, Terrence Jones, and Josh Smith are all good players but none can measure up to Howard’s huge frame and shot blocking ability deterring driving guards and big men posting up.

Howard also produces on the offensive end, with Houston outscoring opponents by 6.9 points per 100 possessions when he’s been on the floor this season. To have a better chance of finally advancing past the first round, Harden and Howard must both produce for the Rockets this postseason.

Los Angeles Clippers -- DeAndre Jordan

The man who will almost certainly at this point have earned a max contract in the offseason will help determine L.A.’s fate this playoffs. Is Chris Paul and company destined for another early playoff exit or are they finally ready to get over the hump?

Jordan has been an absolute unstoppable force since Blake Griffin went down with injury, averaging 16 points and 17.2 rebounds in February, including five games with 20 or more rebounds.

Provided Jordan can differentiate the shot clock from the game clock, he should be ready to give Los Angeles all he’s got this time around.

Dallas Mavericks -- Chandler Parsons

There’s lots of x-factors for this team, but the new starting small forward is the biggest. Many of the Mavericks’ loss have something in common--Parsons didn’t play, Parsons played but didn’t shoot well, or Parsons played but didn’t get the ball enough. The Mavs are 11-3 when Parsons scores 20 or more points.

It’s too simplistic to say the Mavs chances of a deep playoff run rest on Parsons shoulders when a number of other players need to step up, primarily Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, and Rajon Rondo. But when Parsons is playing well and engaged in the offense, he provides another attacker in the free-flowing offense, able to handle the ball, shoot from long range, drive, and post up.

If Rondo plays as badly in the playoffs as he has been, and Ellis can’t re-establish his groove, expect to see Rick Carlisle utilize Parsons as a point-forward at some points.

Chicago Bulls -- Jimmy Butler

Following an impressive first half of the season, Butler regressed a bit before getting injured. Chicago needs him healthy and scoring like he was before.

Butler, in just his fourth season in the league, has turned into one of the best shooting guards in the league, capabable of shutting down the opponent’s best player but also pouring in 20 or so of his own points.

Playing 38.9 minutes a game, one of the highest totals in the league, Butler helped fill in for Derrick Rose as well, dishing out 3.3 assists a game as well as notching 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals. 

Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry, left, and DeMar DeRozan pose for photos during the NBA basketball team's media day at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)
Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry, left, and DeMar DeRozan pose for photos during the NBA basketball team's media day at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

 

Toronto Raptors -- DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry

First DeRozan went down for a stretch, then Lowry did. Toronto’s starting backcourt hasn’t been able to mesh for a while, and it must if it’s to advance past the first round.

Lowry will take the tough shots at the end of games, but DeRozan has to score consistently in a playoff series if there’s going to be a win, especially because some other Raptors contributors could disappear like last season.

Fortunately for the team, the bitter defeat last season and the experience that came along with it should provide enough to spur Toronto into the second round.

Cleveland Cavaliers -- LeBron James

Even if most of his teammates are having off-games, and LeBron is having a great one, the Cavs should be in prime position to win.

Sure, James returned from “injury” just as the midseason trade acquisitions started fitting in, but LeBron has been the unquestioned leader of the team during its recent winning stretch.

The Cavs should easily handle whichever team they face in the first round. After that, expect LeBron to assert himself and take over the second round for another win before Cleveland falls in the conference finals or championship.

San Antonio Spurs -- Tony Parker

The sneaky point guard is the key to the Spurs trying to nab another championship, or at least make a deep playoff run.

Parker is having a terrible season since returning from injury and has admitted he’s trying to figure it out.

Lots of Spurs players have regressed since last season, but Parker is the most important one, especially because his backups--while good--can’t replace what he can bring to the table.

Washington Wizards -- Bradley Beal

Ramping up his play in just his second season, and first appearance in the playoffs, Beal helped Washington stun Chicago in the first round before somehow falling to Indiana.

Beal notched 19.8 points a game on 45 percent shooting from long range. More importantly, he was attacking more than usual, getting to the line more than five times a game and draining most foul shots.

If Beal is in rhythm shooting and can also provide a secondary attack to John Wall, the Wizards should be able to recapture the magic from last season’s playoffs and advance at least one round.

Oklahoma City Thunder -- Kevin Durant

Russell Westbrook has been turning heads with his crazy performances, but Durant is the real x-factor for OKC.

A Westbrook-led team can only go so far, especially in the tough West when defenses crack down on the explosive guard. Durant’s superior shooting helps defenses stay honest, and Durant’s strong play last season helped the Thunder power through to the Western Conference finals.

Hopefully for the Thunder, Durant returns from injury in time to get a few games under his belt before the playoffs start.

New Orleans Pelican forward Anthony Davis shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves' Thaddeus Young, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
New Orleans Pelican forward Anthony Davis shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves' Thaddeus Young, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

 

New Orleans Pelicans -- Anthony Davis

The Pelicans can win in the regular season without Davis but don’t count on it if the team manages to make it into the next part of the season.

Davis bolsters New Orleans defense with his athleticism and ability to switch onto smaller players, and greatly jumpstarts a pedestrian offense with his evolving game.

Advanced statistics back up the impact of Davis--the Pelicans offense scores 107.6 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court, from 102.4 when he’s off. And the Pelicans give up 108.5 points per 100 possessions without Davis, but only 102.8 points with him.

Milwaukee Bucks -- Michael Carter-Williams

Carter-Williams is another deadline acquisition that must fit in with his new team if they’re to have success in the postseason. The main problem with the 23-year-old? His poor shooting--he’s attempted just eight three-pointers in six games with Milwaukee, making only one of them.

That output won’t cut it in the Bucks system, which already has a poor outside shooter--Giannis Antetokounmpo--clogging space.

The other persistent problem with Carter-Williams--his poor Assist to Turnover Ratio, which stands at 1.89 during his stint with Milwaukee. The point guard is dishing out six assists a game in about 28 minutes, but is also coughing up 3.2 turnovers a game. Under coach Jason Kidd, Carter-Williams will improve on both counts--but maybe not soon enough to make the necessary impact this season.

Phoenix Suns -- Eric Bledsoe

With Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas out of the picture, this is Bledsoe’s team now. But he’s struggled in many of the games recently, including losses to Minnesota, Cleveland, and San Antonio.

When Bledsoe is playing well, he’s one of the craftiest offensive players in the league, and can go head-to-head with the best--like he did with Russell Westbrook during the Suns recent win over Oklahoma City.

Unfortunately for Bledsoe and the Suns, the eighth seed is looking less and less likely for the team.

Indiana Pacers -- Paul George

Indiana has had great success since February 1, being the best team in the league since that point. But, despite a solid lineup now that everyone’s healthy, this team is not winning a series unless George coems back and contributes.

George, the team’s unquestioned best player, is slated to return from injury in the next couple weeks as the Pacers work for the seventh or eighth seed. They'll likely face either the Atlanta Hawks or Cleveland Cavaliers.

George will need to provide some offense, but will be more important on defense since he can guard LeBron James and other stars like Kyle Korver.

Miami Heat -- Dwyane Wade

The aging veteran is the key to any success Miami has in the postseason.

Hassan Whiteside has been consistently amazing, Dragic should play well, and Luol Deng has been solid, but the Heat won’t be able to win many games or advance until the next round unless Wade brings back memories of his younger days.

Especially if Miami gets matched with the Cavs, Wade should have proper motivation. He'll also want to play hard to ensure Dragic stays with the Heat after this season.

Charlotte Hornets' Lance Stephenson (1) reacts after making a basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Charlotte Hornets' Lance Stephenson (1) reacts after making a basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

 

Charlotte Hornets -- Mo Williams and Lance Stephenson

If Charlotte manages to make the playoffs again as one of the low seeds, then they'll be facing a much better opponent with practically the same roster as last season.

Except for the two biggest additions--Williams and Stephenson. Williams is a career 13-point scorer, who has shot just over 38 percent from three-point range in his 11-year career. He’s provided a nice scoring punch, notching 20 points or higher in six of the eight games he’s played for Charlotte since the trade deadline.

Stephenson has had a horrible season in his fourth year, signed during the offseason to provide the Hornets with more playmaking and shooting, but seeing his percentages dip dramatically. But if he and Williams can fit in well during the postseason, winning a couple games if not a series could happen.

Brooklyn Nets -- Joe Johnson

The controversial forward was the biggest reason Brooklyn beat Toronto last season, proving to be a nightmare matchup in the post as he facilitated and scored.

The Nets roster has some key differences this time around, but Johnson is still their best offensive weapon and will need to play well if the team expects to get a first-round win.

It doesn’t look like the Nets-Raptors will reprise their first-round matchup anymore, but Brooklyn has a decent chance of knocking off the team that they face if Johnson and some of the other Nets players are clicking in their new small-ball lineups.

Boston Celtics -- Isaiah Thomas

The nice young core has looked pretty good at times this season, but don’t be fooled into thinking Boston makes any headway in the playoffs without strong performances from Thomas.

Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart, the other parts of the backcourt rotation, are defensive-minded. In fact, many of the rotation players are. Thomas provides scoring in bouts, which is just what Boston needed, while not being too much of a liability on the other end.

If the Celts do somehow make the next part of the season, look for Thomas’s minutes--26.9 a game with Boston through eight games--to increase dramatically as he both scores and opens up opportunities for the rest of the team.

Detroit Pistons -- Reggie Jackson

Stan Van Gundy made a series of good moves in his first year as coach/general manager. But early returns on his latest move aren’t good.

D.J. Augustin, the backup who became starter when Brandon Jennings got hurt, was much better than Reggie Jackson for the Detroit offense. Augustin, for example, was shooting 32 percent from 3-point range and 45 percent from field goal range. Jackson, in six games with Detroit, is shooting 23 percent from 3-point range and 40 percent from field goal range.

Van Gundy has vowed to re-sign Jackson, but the team might be better parting ways with the guard. If the team does happen to make the postseason, Jackson is certainly the x factor, and could prove his worth to the Pistons with some good games.