NBA Playoffs X-Factors: Who Will Dominate the Western Conference?

We have looked over the players that will have the most impactful performances in the East, so now it is time to look at the West. So much talent is scattered around the top eight teams in the conference, so many players will need to succeed for their team to move on, but here are the primary factors in the West.

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzles would have been a No. 5 seed in the East playing Orlando, but instead they are stuck with top-seeded San Antonio. The Grizzles did rest their players at the end of the season, acting like they wanted San Antonio instead of LA or Dallas, but now that the matchup is set, they will need to step up and play hard.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli (when healthy) are hard to stop, and Zach Randolph and Co. will have their hands full. But this assignment can be completed.

Randolph averaged 20.1 PPG on the year, more than any player on either team. He can shoot, drive, and rebound well, and if he displays those talents against the Spurs, the first round matchup might not end up being so hard.

He will need to have good consistent performances (something he has struggled with) for the Grizzles to win the series, and he will need to showcase all of his talents. It's a tall order, but the request can be fulfilled.

X-Factor: Zach Randolph, Memphis

(2) LA Lakers vs (7) New Orleans Hornets

It's hard to choose just one player in this series to be the X-Factor. We all know about Kobe's talents and what CP3 can do for New Orleans, so it will go to someone else. Pau Gasol isn't exactly on the supporting cast, but he definitely will make an impact in this series. Gasol averaged a double-double on the year, and he will need to score double-doubles for the Lakers.

Gasol is the second best player on the Lakers, and whenever Kobe scores 15 or 20, or the Lakers are in a tight game, Gasol steps up. Usually, when Kobe drains a three to tie a game or when a game is tied with one minute left, Gasol is there. He had a game-winning shot against OKC last year to send LA on to the second round, and he will need to be there again with clutch buckets against New Orleans.

X-Factor: Pau Gasol, LA Lakers

(3) Dallas Mavericks vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers have a ton of players capable of doing big things, and so do the Mavericks. Therefore, many players will be key to how this series plays out, but Wesley Matthews of Portland will have a huge impact on this series. Matthews has averaged 15.9 points per game this year and was a big reason Portland is in the playoffs, let alone a No. 6 seed (instead of a No. 7 or 8).

Matthews is only 24, but he has carried a big load and will need to carry another big one to help the Blazers advance to play LA or New Orleans. He has had many big buckets this year, and he will need more for Portland.

Matthews is a great all around player, but if he can't shoot well from the outside or if he can't penetrate on the Mavs, Portland is in trouble. Yes, they do have a lot of players who can step up when needed, but Matthews is a big part of that.

X-Factor: Wesley Matthews, Portland

(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Denver Nuggets

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been carried by two players for most of the year; Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Other players have stepped up and made a difference, but without those two, they wouldn't be anywhere. Now, facing a Denver team led by Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and many others, they will need someone else to step up. That someone will be James Harden.

Harden has averaged 12.2 PPG for the Thunder, the third most on the team. He has a great touch from the outside, a long wingspan, the ability to jump high and penetrate, and the ability to score 25 any game.

However, Harden is very inconsistent, with 26-point games and 1-point games. He has 28 single-digit scoring games, but zero single-digit scoring games will be the only number tolerated. It probably won't be much of a problem, with his last four and nine out of his last 10 games being double-digit games, but he needs to showcase his talent in every game for the Thunder to thrive.

X-Factor: James Harden, Oklahoma City