NBA Finals 2015: Potential X-Factors for Each Playoff Team's Title Hopes
None of the teams remaining in the NBA playoffs have won a championship since 1995. For once, there is some parity and uncertainty in the league, and basketball is much better for it. Each conference finals series is shaping up to be a blowout thus far, but the Houston Rockets' 3-1 comeback in Round 2 showed that you can always turn it around.
That is, if the X-factors show up.
The Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers have made it this far on the backs of perennial All-Stars but every championship squad needs some under-the-radar talent to get it over the hump.
Should each of these teams be fortunate enough to make it to the NBA Finals, here are the guys who would be vital for bringing home the hardware.
Atlanta Hawks: Kyle Korver
The Hawks' sharpshooter was electric all season in what was his first career All-Star campaign. He nailed 49.2 percent from three-point range and made big strides as a passer and defender.
The postseason has been a different story. Korver is down to just 35.5 percent. He has been the guy all year that has put the Hawks over the top. Korver is the icing on the cake, and if he doesn't get it together soon, Atlanta is looking at a sweep at the hands of the Cavs.
It certainly doesn't help that Korver's health is now in question after leaving Game 2 with an ankle injury.
The numbers don't lie. Atlanta is 4-1 in the postseason when Korver hits at least four threes, and just 4-5 when he doesn't.
The Hawks were able to weather the storm when Korver was eradicated by Bradley Beal in the conference semifinals, but Cleveland is too strong. Atlanta will not be able to keep LeBron James from his fifth consecutive NBA finals appearance without better play from Korver.
Should it make the next round, both Houston and Golden State present ideal matchups for the Hawks. Those uptempo games will play right into Korver's wheelhouse.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson
The Kevin Love injury has left Cleveland very thin up front. The main reason it has been able to weather the storm is due to the ferocious play from Thompson.
The new starting power forward has been remarkable. He had his hands full with Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Pau Gasol last round, and he has been forced to tangle with Al Horford and Paul Millsap this time around. Not once has he looked overmatched or under prepared.
Bleacher Report's own Ethan Skolnick put it best when evaluating Thompson's play.
Thompson is logging heavy minutes at center, which will go a long way toward taking down each of the Western Conference foes. Cleveland's best lineup right now is with Thompson and LeBron at the center and power forward slots. He has played at least 39 minutes total in each of the last four games, as well. That number won't change should he continue to crush it on the glass.
No one has cracked 101 points on Cleveland in the playoffs. Atlanta didn't even eclipse 90 in Games 1-2 on its home court. Thompson is not the sole reason for that, but he has been unbelievable. No one on Houston or Golden State has anyone who matches up well with him, so he could be the big reason why Cleveland finally brings home a title.
Golden State Warriors: Shaun Livingston
Are we all aware that Livingston is shooting 65 percent in the playoffs?
As if it isn't bad enough that the Warriors feature the league's MVP at point guard in Stephen Curry, but when they go with a small lineup and plug Livingston in alongside him, it presents an unreal small-ball attack that is borderline unstoppable.
Livingston is 10-of-12 from the floor in the conference finals thus far as Houston no longer has Pat Beverley. According to Matt Moore of CBS Sports, that is no coincidence.
"Shaun Livingston agreed that he’s likely to look for his post-game more in this series with the Rocket’s lack of point guard size.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 18, 2015"
The Dubs feature the league's most potent bench, and Livingston is a huge reason why. His unique combination of size and fluidity at that position will present a matchup problem for any team in the league.
Steve Kerr has him rolling right now, and he would be wise to line him up alongside Jeff Teague, Dennis Schroder or Kyrie Irving in a potential finals matchup. It's tough to imagine any of those three being able to handle him on the block.
Houston Rockets: Josh Smith
J-Smoove has likely had the most tumultuous postseason of any player remaining. He has had a few absolute stinkers but also shown that he can be a real catalyst for Houston. When he is hitting jumpers and creating for his teammates, the rest of the league must watch out.
Smith averaged 17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists including an uncharacteristic 39.1 percent shooting from three in the first round. The Dallas Mavericks looked overmatched the entire series because Smith did an incredible job taking some of the pressure off James Harden and Dwight Howard.
Josh Smith's entire career has been as an X-factor. He has one of the most unique skill sets in NBA history and can affect the game every which way when he is firing on all cylinders.
With Houston's injuries piling up, Smith has to get back to playing more like he did against Dallas. He has not been able to get anything going against Draymond Green or Harrison Barnes in the conference finals thus far. The numbers haven't been awful, but he has been firing away at will.
Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey said it all.
The Rockets will not win with Smith launching 33 shots in two games. He needs to assume more of the distributor role to free up Harden. With those two essentially splitting point guard duties, it presents one of the league's most dynamic attacks.
Cleveland and Atlanta have the bodies to match up with Smith, but only LeBron can recreate some of the things he does. Should they find themselves going toe-to-toe, Houston cannot overcome the king without big performances from its X-factor.
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