2012 NBA Playoffs: Danny Green and the X-Factor for Every Remaining Team

The 2012 conference semifinals are in full swing for some and coming to a close for others. The stars have done their jobs, the underdogs have made things interesting and the NBA's best regular-season team has continued their league-wide dominance.

That's 29 wins in 31 games for the San Antonio Spurs, with an average margin of victory upwards of 15 points.

While we have come to expect this type of play in the postseason, we can never get used to those players who just are not supposed to be doing what they are doing. They are the unexpected, you might say, but also the X-factors.

These players may not be there on a consistent basis throughout the regular season, but play a pivotal role in whether or not their team can win a title. Here is a list of each remaining team's X-factor.

Boston Celtics: Avery Bradley, Shooting Guard

Over the past two games, Ray Allen is a combined 3-of-6 from the floor with an average of four points per game. The greatest shooter in the history of the NBA has taken six shots in two games, including a one-shot performance in Game 3.

While that could make Allen the X-factor, it does not; that honor and burden belongs to his potential replacement, Avery Bradley.

Should the Boston Celtics be fortunate enough to move on from the Eastern Conference semifinals, they will have either Dwyane Wade or Paul George on their hands. In case you have never watched those two play, they just so happen to be some of the most dynamic players at the 2.

While Rajon Rondo's defensive presence will ease the burden, teams are certain to attempt to exploit Bradley's defense. Fortunately, the former Texas Longhorn is an elite defensive prospect with a budding offensive game.

However, his 36.8 percent shooting in the postseason just does not support such a theory...

Postseason Averages: 24.8 MPG, 6.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 36.8 FG%

Indiana Pacers: Leandro Barbosa, Guard

In the Indiana Pacers' shockingly competitive series with the Miami Heat, the greatest advantage the Pacers possess has surprisingly not been size. It has been speed and quickness.

At the heart of this exploitation has been the combination of Darren Collison and Leandro Barbosa. Both have a major advantage over their reserve counterparts, and have even found success against their starting opposition. Unfortunately, consistency in their level of play has yet to present itself.

The main player to blame is Barbosa, who has shot 40.4 percent from the floor and 23.1 percent from distance. If the Indiana Pacers are to stand any chance at pulling out Game 5, 6 or 7 victories, Barbosa must turn it up.

Postseason Averages: 22.4 MPG, 6.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 40.4 FG%, 23.1 3PT%

Los Angeles Lakers: Pau Gasol, Power Forward

Seems self-explanatory, right? The fact of the matter is, the Lakers' losses have all been related to one factor: Pau Gasol playing passive basketball.

Not what you want from your 20-and-10 star.

In order for the Los Angeles Lakers to overcome their 3-1 deficit and move on to the Western Conference finals, Gasol will need to be the player he's expected to be. His role as facilitator has been helpful, of course, but his indecision as a scorer has led to just one thing...

Losses.

If the Los Angeles Lakers are to extend this series even one more game, Gasol needs to perform as he did in Game 7 of the Lakers' previous series with the Nuggets.

Postseason Averages: 36.4 MPG, 12.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.0 BPG

Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem, Power Forward

With Chris Bosh done for an indefinite amount of time, the Miami Heat become heavily reliant upon their depth in the frontcourt. By depth, of course, I mean to say Udonis Haslem.

Fortunately for the Miami Heat, Udonis Haslem just so happens to own more NBA championship rings than LeBron James. As evidenced by his fourth-quarter takeover in Game 4, Haslem is ready for the task. He is also the perfect man for the job.

Haslem is an outstanding rebounder, solid interior defender and reliable mid-range jump shooter. He is also your quintessential X-factor.

Postseason Averages: 18.1 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 40.0 FG%

Oklahoma City Thunder: Derek Fisher, Point Guard

This is why he was brought in.

The five-time NBA champion has provided the Oklahoma City Thunder with the playoff veteran presence that they so desperately needed.

The results have been marginal, as Russell Westbrook has combated claims of Kevin Durant being the best player in the NBA by putting up MVP numbers of his own. Most importantly, he has done so in an incredibly efficient manner.

Fisher, meanwhile, has been huge through his own on-court contributions. Fisher has connected on eight three-point attempts, shooting 57.1 percent from distance.

As always, those shots have come when they matter most, as Fisher has closed out both the first half and fourth quarter in his short OKC tenure.

Derek Fisher is a key component to a potential title win for Oklahoma City.

Postseason Averages: 21.1 MPG, 6.3 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 46.7 FG%, 57.1 3PT%

Philadelphia 76ers: Lavoy Allen, Power Forward

In the Philadelphia 76ers' two wins over the Boston Celtics, Lavoy Allen has averaged 9.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. In their two losses, Allen posted averages of 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 0.5 steals per contest.

If you do not see the direct correlation, watch the game film. Allen's omnipresence is, arguably, the biggest reason behind the up-and-down success.

For the 76ers to emerge victorious against the Celtics, Allen must continue the solid production.

He has done an excellent job of countering Kevin Garnett's efficient attack and would likely play the same role in the conference finals against David West and the Pacers or Udonis Haslem and the Heat.

Postseason Averages: 6.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 52.0 FG%

San Antonio Spurs: Danny Green, Guard

Danny Green has been a player I've both praised and criticized since he has entered the NBA. The one consistency is that I never did what the Los Angeles Clippers did: forgot about him.

Green is a deadly three-point shooter, an incredible defender and a clutch performer. His lockdown defense on Chris Paul in the fourth quarter is all the evidence you need to support that claim.

As the Spurs face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Oklahoma City Thunder, Green's presence will continue to grow in importance. From Chris Paul to either Kobe Bryant or a combination of Russell Westbrook and James Harden, life gets no easier.

Just do not expect Danny Green to disappear. This kid is for real.

Postseason Averages: 24.8 MPG, 10.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 50.0 FG%, 45.7 3PT%