Fansided

NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 players facing the most pressure

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets passes the ball away from Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 13, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets passes the ball away from Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 13, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James, Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 19: Kevin Love #0 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers wait in the back court against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 19, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Bucks 124-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Love; LeBron James /

2. Kevin Love

LeBron James’ Finals streak is one of the most underappreciated feats in sports today. It is not easy to go to the Finals year after year and go through the grinder. James is superhuman.

Every year, it feels like the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to get dethroned. For several teams, they feel like their window is open now and the Cavaliers are weak. Cleveland is still fighting for home-court advantage as the season draws to a close.

This team is still all about James. And James is superhuman. He might be able to get his team to the Finals on his own. Any help he can get will be needed though. This is still a team trying to win the championship — seemingly on offense alone.

Who will step up? This is still a relatively inexperienced squad when it comes to the playoffs. And the Cavaliers will need Kevin Love to step up to the plate. Love is now likely the second option offensively for the Cavaliers. That will bring with it new pressure. James is going to win a lot of games through his own brilliance, but he may not have it every night. And Love needs to be ready to score when the time calls for it.

Playing almost exclusively at center this year, Love will have to man the boards too. This is uncharted territory for him. And he will need to step up if James is going to keep his streak alive.

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