NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 big questions for Warriors vs. Spurs matchup
3. Who’s the X-factor for each team in this series?
Playoffs in the NBA are all about the superstars. Whichever team has more star players who are effective typically will win the series. This series is no different. Golden State features one of the all-time talented teams, with four of the top-15 players in the NBA. San Antonio doesn’t feature the same kind of star power that the Warriors do, with only Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge to claim. Regardless, there’s always X-factors on both teams that aren’t stars but integral to the success of their team. Let’s look at one player from each team who can be the X-factor in this series.
Golden State Warriors
For the Warriors, this X-factor might surprise fans a little bit. He spent a lot of his career on TNT’s “Shaqtin’ a Fool,” but has been really effective for the Warriors this season. He doesn’t get as many minutes as the other big men, Zaza Pachulia and David West, but thrives as an energizer bunny when he’s on the court.
You’ve probably guessed it by now, but it’s none other than JaVale McGee. Alright, if you’re laughing at my X-factor for Golden State, just wait for a second as I lay out my case. In these playoffs for the Dubs, who’s been a consistent scorer off the bench? You might think Shaun Livingston or David West, but it’s actually been McGee. In the postseason, he’s been averaging 7.4 points per game on a ridiculous 73 percent shooting. Coming in at the end of quarters for the Warriors’ second unit, McGee brings an edge and passion to the game that resembles that of Draymond Green.
He’s consistently coming up with big plays on the defensive end, catching lobs, grabbing rebounds for extra possessions and infusing energy into the Dubs’ bench mob. He will be a big factor in slowing down the bigs of San Antonio on the glass. If McGee can continue to give them the life and energy he brings them on a nightly basis, he can be a huge factor for the Warriors.
San Antonio Spurs
On the other bench, the San Antonio Spurs have a lot of candidates who can be X-factors. The way Coach Popovich runs his crew, each player will have a different impact depending on the series. After watching games 5 and 6 of the second round against the Houston Rockets, I’m convinced this player will be the X-factor in this series against the Warriors. He even had to pay $150 to get his chance to shine with San Antonio.
It’s none other than Jonathon Simmons, or mini-Kawhi 2.0. As soon as Kawhi Leonard went down in Game 5 with his ankle injury, Pop turned to his bench and saw he had a smaller, less-seasoned Kawhi waiting in the wings. Simmons stepped in during the last two games and shut down James Harden and was effective offensively as well.
In those games, Simmons dropped 15 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field. James Harden suffered as well, going 1-for-5 with 6 turnovers when Simmons was the primary defender on him.
The former D-League standout will be a big support for Leonard in this series. If Leonard’s ankle is still bothering him and can’t necessarily be the defender he is, no worries, Simmons can step in and be just as effective.
Both of these players have huge responsibilities in this series and will be counted on heavily to contribute. Let’s see which of these X-factors will have a bigger impact on their team winning the series.