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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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LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets
LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets /

1. LaMarcus Aldridge

It is hard to believe at the beginning of the season LaMarcus Aldridge requested a trade from San Antonio. Almost a full year without Kawhi Leonard has changed some perspectives. Aldridge has turned in one of his best seasons of his career. Certainly, it is his best season in a Spurs uniform.

Still, expectations are always high in San Antonio. The Spurs kept their playoff streak alive, but they lost their streak of winning 50 games. This has been a down year for the Spurs. The Leonard injury is a big reason why but San Antonio is not likely to use excuses.

The Spurs still do not know their seeding for the playoffs. But even with home-court advantage, it is possible San Antonio will be an underdog in whatever series they play. A lot of that has to do with Aldridge.

Aldridge has stepped up in the playoffs before. Even with the Spurs, he has averaged 18.6 points per game in two playoff appearances. Aldridge will put up points.

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But the question is whether Aldridge on his own can lead the Spurs past the first round. Part of the reason he left Portland was because he felt Damian Lillard had eclipsed him, this after years struggling to make the Blazers advance on his own. In San Antonio, he accepted a more supporting role.

This postseason is all about him. This is his time to keep the Spurs legacy alive. And they will be asking him to step up. The Spurs need that extra juice from their best player if they are going to advance out of the first round this year.

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