Magic-Celtics: Brandon Bass Could Be Orlando X-Factor

Think about Tony Allen and how he fits into the Boston Celtics' playoff run.

He put up eight points and grabbed three rebounds per night against the Cavaliers—not huge numbers.

Yet, with his play, providing Boston with an X-Factor doing what needs to be done off the bench, Boston minimized what most thought was their biggest weakness—a lack of bench talent to rest the “Big Three”.

During the NBA Playoffs, the best teams find that one role player who steps up big. Shaq described that player as one of the "Others".

Last season, the Celtics' Glen Davis helped push the Magic to seven games in their semifinal series.

Orlando Magic reserve forward Brandon Bass—B-Bass to Magic fans—fits that mold for Orlando in 2010.

Bass came to Orlando from the Dallas Mavericks via free agency last summer. General manager Otis Smith signed the big bruiser to a four year, $16 million contract.

He became one of Smith's first pieces in an attempt to make the Eastern Conference Champions stronger in the front court.

As a Maverick, he averaged almost twenty minutes a game, along with eight points and four rebounds. Throw in almost one block per game average, and you have Mr. X.

Simply put, Otis Smith knew what he was doing when he signed Bass. Fans want to know what's keeping him off the floor.

First things first with Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy—play defense or sit the bench. Past reports indicated Bass may have struggled with Van Gundy's team defense principles.

That sounds valid, considering Dallas scores more than it stops.

Early in the season, Bass seemed to be developing as a key piece of the rotation. Over the first ten games, he averaged 9.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game. One on one, Bass defends well. He plays hard down low and can force shooters to make tough shots.

Bass also brings playoff experience, appearing in more than fifteen playoff games with Dallas.

Defensively the Celtics will be forced to collectively defend Howard. Rondo can help by taking the ball directly at the Defensive Player of the Year on offense.

Howard will have to avoid consistent foul trouble. I say consistent because Howard will face foul trouble sometime during this series.

Boston utilizes an aggressive style, including hard fouls, to keep teams off balance. It's part of how Boston will look to impose their will on the Magic.

When Superman has to sit, Bass may be Orlando's answer. Up to now, Van Gundy mostly relied on second-year forward Ryan Anderson.

But the Celtics represent a new obstacle in the team's “mission” to win a championship—size and physicality.

Bass comes well-equipped to handle Boston's front-court. He's 6' 8” and weighs 250 pounds. Think "Big Baby" with more muscle— and without the fat.

During a regular season game, Bass neutralized Cavs forward J.J. Hickson. Hickson caused matchup problems and started to hurt Orlando, it seemed, on every other play. Bass stopped the bleeding.

Beyond defense, Bass shot 51.1 percent from the floor this year. He also sports a 10 to 15 foot jumper that could help out in a pinch.

Like Big Baby, Bass' big frame doesn't effect his quickness. Bass can help apply pressure up front, an element Cleveland's game lacked.

Bass may remain relegated to his present role. Still, many aspects of the Celtics' style of play indicate that Bass may serve a bigger role in the Eastern Conference Finals.

If so, Magic success might mean factoring in their own Mr. X, Brandon Bass.

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