X-Factors on remaining playoff teams...?

Question

For the remaining teams (even the Hawks!) to make a run at a championship; which player OTHER then their superstar is most important in their success at making a run at the NBA Championship? It doesn't have to be their 'second best player' either; maybe a player whose inconsistent, who'll need to step up and add the extra effort to put that team over the top, etc. 

My choices:
Lakers -- Lamar Odom; when Odom is on his game, he adds to the already ridiculous length and size the Lakers have on the inside. When he's not, they usually need more scoring from Bryant and such. Odom is my Lakers X-Factor.

Cavs -- Antawn Jamison; Jamison is notorious for going quiet throughout the game at points. I think to remove some of the scoring burden from LeBron, a guy like Jamison is crucial here. Shaq's defense on Dwight Howard (if they're to advance is also important.)

Magic -- Jameer Nelson; Nelson was out last year's playoffs with a shoulder injury, and at times it showed they missed his calming presence. He sets up the offense, knocks down shots, and plays good defense. Things they didn't get from Rafer Alston but Nelson is providing now. I think he's the Magic's X-Factor.

Suns -- Their bench; we all know the Suns aren't the youngest of teams, so I think their bench is their most important factor in moving towards getting to the Finals now. Giving Nash and Hill important rests and providing the necessary spark is key. It showed last night.

Celtics -- Rasheed Wallace; This Celtics team is nowhere as deep as the 2008 Champions. So they'll need someone off the bench to step up; especially a player with playoff experience, and that has to be Sheed. He's had quite a down year in most respects, but is capable of producing when it matters most. 

Jazz -- Wesley Matthews/CJ Miles; while both of these guys are young, they both have shown signs they can be every game producers. However, they've been off and on. For the Jazz to have any chance of beating the Lakers; they'll need more out of both of these guys.

Hawks -- Mike Bibby; Bibby has been on a playoff contender before with the Kings way back, and he played tremendously back then. But it was nearly 10 years ago. He needs to contribute more in terms of getting the ball into the hands of Horford and Smith rather then relying on the inconsistent jump shooters such as Crawford and Johnson; who are prone to coming up small.

Spurs -- George Hill; Hill was tremendous in the first round, but thus far versus the Suns has struggled. For the Spurs to get past the high-octane Suns; they're going to need all the scoring help they can get. Poppovich has stuck with Hill, it's up to him to contribute now.

Corey (Go Dubs!) · Accepted Answer

Lakers:  I agree it has to be Odom.  He is the model of inconsistency.  When he is playing aggressively, he is among the best SFs in the NBA.  In last year's playoffs the Lakers found their stride when Odom decided to show up in the Nuggets series.  

Cavs:  I think Mo Williams and Jamison are both good choices, but I'm gonna go with Shaq.  If he can play inspired ball in these playoffs he could be the difference maker, especially against a possible showdown with Howard.  If they do end up against the Lakers in the Finals, his size in the middle would be essential to counter the their giant frontline.  

Magic:  Vince Carter.  He's been struggling from the 3 in the playoff and they are going to need him to knock those down as the playoffs progress.  He also needs to be more of a playmaker which isn't his biggest strength.  He's done a good job this season in the fourth quarter and he needs to continue being that go to guy.  He can create his own shot and has shown an impressive ability for hitting clutch shots..

Suns:  Jason Richardson.  I'm not sure the exact stat, but the Suns have a remarkable record when JRich can go for 20+.  He is an uselfish guy so he needs to make sure to look for his own shot and be that third scoreer they desperately need.

Celtics:  Rasheed.  He's been an underachiever, but he needs to get it going if the Celtics want to get past the Cavs.  Like you mentioned, he is capable of upping his game.  They need him off the bench to bring some energy, D, and some clutch 3s.

Jazz:  I think the Jazz are toast.  They don't have the length to compete with the Lakers.  CJ Miles is probably the X-factor.  He's done a admirable job in the playoffs thus far.  If he can give them 15-20 pts/gm the Jazz might be able to make this an interesting series.  

Hawks:  Same as the Jazz, no chance at winning this series.  They need 2 or 3 X-factors to step up.  Al Horford needs to be a consistent presence in the post.  He is too passive and needs to be a force on the boards.  He doesn't need to get them 20+ points, but they need him to fight for every rebound.   If he could get 12-15 gm that would definitely help their chances.  It won't be enough to win the series, but maybe they can win a game or 2. 

Spurs:  George Hill.  They need one of the young guys to take some of the pressure off.  He has proven he is capable of taking on a significant role, but needs to do it on a nightly basis.  Richard Jefferson is another guy the Spurs need some production from.  He's done a good job on certain nights, but he needs to continue to be aggressive on both ends of the court each and every night.  He is another guy that tends to be passive and overly unselfish.

JM · Answer

Lakers- Lamar Odom: Things go well when Kobe, Bynum, and Pau play well, but when you add Odom to the mix (very inconsistent) and he is playing well, he is dangerous. When he is actually on his game he is a terrific rebounder and adds the sharp punch up front and as you can see he is making life tough on Utah adding his length to the mix with Bynum and Pau. They all got double doubles with 11+ points and rebounds and Odom adds that next player behind Pau and Kobe to make it tough for teams to double them.

Suns- Jason Richardson- I believe they are undefeated when he scores 20 in the playoffs and for the entire year they only lost 5 games when he does. He is a streak scorer that can get 20, 30 and rarely 40, and his athletic ability makes it tough when Nash and Amar'e have that third guy.

Spurs- Manu Ginobili- All year this guy has carried them and when he doesn't have big games they more often than not lose. He is the type of player that can perform at all nba levels and even superstar levels when he is right. At times he even carries the team and in close games, he is the difference if the Spurs win or not so he is my X-Factor.

Jazz- Kirelinko- He will eventually come back in this series. So however he is able to guard Kobe (whether it's effective or not) can determine the outcome of whether the Jazz push this to 6 or 7, or lose in 5.
__

Cavs- Moe Williams- He has been known to disappear come playoff time like last year in the ECF. So far for the 1st time this playoffs he is starting to fade away, and as a result, they split at home 1-1 and aren't looking so sharp. It's proven that if he isn't in the game (mentally or whatever) they struggle and they need him to come alive especially on Rondo.

Celtics- Rasheed Wallace- Yes, I agree on this one. Depending on if he can make Shaq pay from the outside will determine how successful the Celtics are in this series.

Hawks- Josh Smith- He is another guy that can disappear and if he isn't that 3rs guy for Joe and Horford, they have no chance.

Magic- Their bench- They are already more talented than the Hawks and possibly everyone else. If their bench comes in and plays above average with all that depth, teams simply can't beat them.

Sky · Answer

I think for Lakers its more Bynum, as a fan im always on edge, I dont expect him to be dominant, but just a decent game for him has proven what a difference it can make.
No its Mo Williams, when he does good its been proven the Cavs tend to win, why do you think the Cavs held of the Cletics in Game 1 and got blown off in Game 2, look last years post season. Its Lebrons team, but more times then not, they go as Mo goes.
I think Nelson is reliable for the most part, its gonna come down to Vince, hes down an okay job against the weaker teams, but he better be Vinsanity when either the Cavs or Celtics come by, if not it will prove he was never a franchise leader.
I think its always J Rich, if he plays lights out, the team plays more relaxed and an even better tempo, when he has rough nights, their offense struggles, even with Nash running it.
Agree, you can predict what the other will do and Rondo is out of this world right now, all Sheed needs to do is give at least 10 points and some decent D and its all good.
This is tricky cause my normal answer would be Kirlenko, but ill say CJ Miles, he has stepped it up alot and when he gets warm hes a threat at times.
This is hard cause at nights most of them dont even show up, but I think its Crawford, 6th Man of the Year has to be more reiable and ease the jobs of the starting 5, not go 1 for 11.
Hill proved himself against the Mavs, for this series, the biggest factor has to be Parker, battle of the PG's only one quick enough to keep up with Nash. Nash ran circles around Hill. Like pasts years, this is Parkers call.

John Houston Stockton · Answer

Lakers: Odom
Cavs: West
Magic: Pietrius
Suns: Frye
Celtics: Wallace
Jazz: Matthews
Hawks: Horford
Spurs: Hill

Roscoe O: WE CAN WE WILL! · Answer

You pretty much nailed it so I'll just do the ones that I differ on. 

Lakers- Pg. Fischer/Farmar: This has been the Lakers heel for the last 10 yrs. and when these guys competently defend (meaning no mental mistakes, we all know Fisher cant guard squat) and knockdown open looks the Lakers blow teams out. However, when they allow their opponents to get 25 pts. 10 ast. 3 stls. or more from their p.g. position and they don't do crap collectively it then makes it easier for teams to match the contribution provided by Bryant, Gasol and Odom.

Cavs- I agree, but it boils down to them calling his number not him willing to take shots. The guy will put it up if he gets the ball.

Magic- Vince Carter: What made the Magic a tough out last year for the eastern conference was the pick and roll play led by Hedu. This put pressure on scoring SF's (when they guarded him) by having them crash into picks all night which eventually led to scramble defense and kickouts for 3's. This has never been Vince's game and he has struggled mightily with it. So in order to compensate this guy needs to shoot a high % while avg. 25+ pts. a game for them to win the title. Lets face it Dwight & Jameer don't have the goods offensively to carry a team.

John · Answer

Lakers- Lamar Odom. 

Magic- Reddick

Suns- Richardson

Cavs- Jamison

Celtics-Glen Davis

Jazz- Koufos- he needs to put a body on Gasol

Hawks- Bibby

Spurs- George Hill

Anonymous · Answer

No. The flames are actually a tough team that has stepped it up in the second half of the season. They have their problems, but they will not fold over, nor do I see Colorado playing that well down the stretch. They will play each other twice before the end of the season and they both have similar schedules. Calgary is a good team with great leadership and I think that they are going to be fighting for 5th place in the standings rather than struggle.

Anonymous · Answer

Lakers: Bynum
Cavs: Mo WIliams (I agree on what you said about Jamison though)
Magic: Um.. Nelson and Lewis
Suns: Jason Richardson
Celtics: Rasheed Wallace
Jazz: CJ Miles and also Carlos Boozer's style of game. His jumpers annoy me.
Hawks: Bibby
Spurs: Ginobili

UnDashing™ · Answer

I kind of agree with all of those. I think Joe Johnson needs to step up though. He goes blank during the playoffs. Hawks need him to play well if they want to even have a chance of winning a single game against the Magic.

Mikhail Prokhorov Save The Nets · Answer

Cavs-Varejo
Magic-Pietrus
Cetics-Wallace
Hawks-Horford

Lakers-Bynum
Jazz-Miles
Suns-Frye
Spurs-Hill

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X-Factors on remaining playoff teams...?

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