With the 2017 NBA Playoffs preparing to tip off, these five players face more pressure than anyone else
After 2460 regular season games, the 2017 NBA Playoffs are here. Now the eight best teams from each conference will all compete towards the ultimate goal of winning the NBA Finals and posing with the Larry O’Brien Trophy. That may not be the realistic goal for all 16 teams, but it’s the goal nonetheless.
If there’s been one thing that’s carried the 2016-17 season, it’s been strong narratives. The race for MVP between Russell Westbrook and James Harden, coupled with Westbrook’s (successful) pursuit of averaging a triple-double have been in the forefront of every news-cycle. Throw in Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors and his subsequent injury, the Cleveland Cavaliers looking to repeat, the San Antonio Spurs thriving even without Tim Duncan and the emergence of players like Bradley Beal, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and even Isaiah Thomas to a degree, and the narratives have been plentiful.
Narratives change when it comes to the NBA Playoffs, though. Granted, they may not change as much for the likes of LeBron James and the Cavs or Durant, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. However, things like the MVP race become obsolete. So too does the focus on young players as they’re expected to experience postseason growing pains.
Instead, the story shifts to the pressure that players and teams are facing, which is why LeBron and Durant’s narratives don’t evaporate. Who needs to step up because a title or strong performance is needed or expected? Whose future could be in question if they falter? All of these things and more are in play in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. But who faces the most pressure this postseason?
Notable Exclusions: Russell Westbrook and LeBron James
Before we dive into the five players facing the most pressure in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, it feels necessary to note a couple of players that aren’t listed: Russell Westbrook and LeBron James. Because of their talent and pedigree, obviously much is going to be expected of both players in the postseason. However, they aren’t facing the same amount of pressure as these other players, though for vastly different reasons.
In the case of Westbrook, his team just isn’t expected to do much this season. Westbrook has them in the No. 6 seed basically by sheer force of will. With that said, it’s telling that the main knock against Westbrook’s MVP candidacy is the lack of success from the Oklahoma City Thunder as a whole. The Thunder’s offense as a whole isn’t mediocre because of Westbrook, but because of the lacking supporting cast. If Westbrook and Oklahoma City have any success in the playoffs, it’s another feather in his cap for this season. But he’s certainly not under pressure to carry them to the Finals or anything of the sort.
James is a different case, starting with the fact that he’s expected to get the Finals. Even if the Cavs hadn’t won the title last year, that would still be the expectation for LeBron. But is there really that much pressure on him? He returned to Cleveland and brought the city a championship, causing the Factory of Sadness to crack a smile. Yes, they’d surely like more real estate occupied in their trophy case. However, the monkey is off of James’ back and it’s not the same level of pressure that he’s faced so many times before.
With the exclusions out of the way, let’s delve into the five players who will be facing the most pressure in these playoffs, starting in The North.