Difference Makers

column by Doyle

Every team left in the 2008 NBA Playoffs has at least one bonafide superstar, some are lucky enough to have two or three. Although these players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Chris Paul are of the utmost importance to their team’s success I believe it will be the X-Factors that will make the difference of who is playing in June. That is because almost every team has a player that may not be perennial all-star, but when push comes to shove it will be there performances that will either make or break their team’s chances of holding the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.


Los Angeles Lakers

When it comes to the Lakers X-Factor it has to be Lamar Odom. Basically he is the reason I wrote this article. He is AWESOME I can’t state that enough and he is finally in a situation where he can succeed. What I mean by that is he not the first or second option on this ball team (Kobe and Pau). But what he does do is provide a steady third option that can do just about everything including line up at all five positions on the floor. The 6’10” forward is averaging a very productive 14pts 11rebs 4dimes 1blk and 1stl a game. There is no doubt that he has to play well for the Lakers to advance deep into the playoffs. With the absence of young center Andrew Bynum Odom must be a force inside on both ends of the court. So far he has been by averaging 13 boards a game so far in the Jazz series. The Lakers know what they are going to get out of Kobe and Pau and if they can continue to get what they have been getting from South Side Jamaica Queens finest than there is no doubt in my mind that Jack will be seen rocking those ugly sunglasses courtside well into June.


New Orleans Hornets

I get mad when people say Chris Paul has no one around him. That statement is just ludicrous because he an all-star in David West and Peja Stojakovic is joke either. However, the X-Factor of this team has to be Tyson Chandler. Chandler averaged almost 12 and 12 a game for the Southwest division champions. However, it will be his defense on the great big men of the Western Conference that will give the young Hornets a chance to come out of the Wild West. His 13 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in the Spurs series so far is a big reason the Hornets defended their home court and are up 2-0 on the World Champions. Not to mention he has held the 2-time MVP Tim Duncan to 12 and 6 per game so far in the series. Although Chris Paul and the rest of the dangerous threats on offense are great the Hornets will need there center Tyson Chandler to continue to bring it especially on the defense end of the court if they hope to go deep.


San Antonio Spurs

Ok I may be coping out here but for the life of me I can’t think of an X-Factor for the Spurs. They are the type of team where everyone steps up. Whether it is the Big Three of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili or the second unit of Finley, Bowen, Thomas, and Oberto the Spurs always seems to get it done. That being said they need to step it up if they don’t want to be done this early in May. Thus the X-Factor for this team is the 3rd Quarter in the Suns series they dominated the 3rd, but they now find themselves down 0-2 to the young Hornets and have been outscored 65-35 in the two games combined. If the Spurs can come out of the locker room strong after half there is no doubt in my mind this series will go back to the BIG EASY tied.

Utah Jazz

Remember when Andrei Kirilenko was considered the future of the Utah Jazz. He could scored (16 a game in 2003-04 and 2004-05 and 15 a game in 2005-06) he could rebound (8 a game in 2005-06) and most importantly he could defend. With his length and quickness he could and still can defend multiple positions. Than last year we had a melt down, AK47 averaged only 8 and 6 per contest and seemed to drop of the map. However, he is back and starting to playing well this year for the Northwest division champions. He will have to bring the AK47 of old if the Jazz want to have any chance of beating the seemingly and so far literally the unbeatable Lakers. If Kirilenko can help to slow Kobe and provide the Jazz with steady rebounding and a solid fourth option there is no reason to think that the Jazz will even this series as it goes back to Utah where they are 37-4 tops in the Association.


Boston Celtics

There is no doubt that the Celtics are the favorite to come out of the weak Eastern Conference. However, they won’t unless they get steady play from their young point guard Rajon Rondo. Forget the Boston Three Party (Garnett, Allen, and Pierce) Rondo will be the difference maker. In their 7 game series against the upstart Hawks Rondo had 51 assists and just 7 turnovers. That is what they need from him folks, he doesn’t need to be Chris Paul or Tony Parker, but what he does have to do is control the offense and distribute the basketball to the Celtic All-Stars. If they can get big time minutes out of him there is no doubt in my mind the C’s won’t have much trouble coming out of the lack luster Eastern Conference.


Detroit Pistons

For the longest time I have felt that Tayshaun Prince was the ultimate X-Factor and the key to the Pistons success. Prince is great and you know every night you’re going to get 13 or 14 point, a couple of rebounds, and great defense. Prince has even stepped it up in the playoffs (17 and 6 per contest). Although he has never been an All-Star Prince plays like one every night if his playoff number continue to stay high the Pistons will undoubtedly make it to their fifth straight Eastern Conference finals and position themselves into get their second ring in the 21st century version of the Detroit Bad Boys.


Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic are a good young team led by Superman Dwight Howard. However, if you watched Wednesday nights game you saw the big fella get some serious help from my main man Rashard Lewis. Lewis had 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 dimes. Not to mention he shot 11-15 from floor, 6-8 from the line and a sizzling 5-6 from beyond the arc. I do not expect Lewis to score like that constantly throughout the rest of playoffs, but if Lewis can continue to knock down shots and spread the defense the Magic could just challenge the Pistons in their Eastern Conference semi-finals series. Trust me folks Lewis is the key, for example Lewis was just 2 of 12 from beyond the arc in the Magics game 1 and 2 losses.


Cleveland Cavaliers

I hate to say it but the Cavs are just about done. King James has not looked so royally on Boston’s home court. To make matters worse his teammates have not given him much help. I won’t even waste my time with a Cavs X-Factor, because no one has proven they can step up and run with LBJ. The only chance I give them is if some how LBJ can be Godly at home and the supporting cast can knock down outside shots if that doesn’t happen the King will definitely be run out of his own CASTLE by the Three Wise Men.

*** Shout out to Big Z who actually has come to play in the Celtics series.

PEACES.