7 Players That Need To Play Well The Rest Of The Way In The NBA Playoffs
Start writing a post
Sports

7 Players That Need To Play Well The Rest Of The Way In The NBA Playoffs

It's pretty much just LeBron and six other scrubs.

143
7 Players That Need To Play Well The Rest Of The Way In The NBA Playoffs
Ian D'Andrea

To win the NBA Finals, you have to have multiple players that are on their game. Without that, there is no way that you can win a championship. Below are seven players that I believe NEED to ball out for their teams to have any chance of finishing the playoffs on top, starting with the least needed, and ending with the most needed.

1. Clint Capela

Capela is the only real rim protector Houston has and has stepped up his defense and shot blocking to a whole new level in the playoffs. Capela is going to have to defend Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the pick-and-roll, and how well he does that is going to influence how the series unfolds.

2. Draymond Green

Green is the heart and soul of the Warriors. His defense and effort propel the Warriors to another level. I think Draymond is the x-factor of this series. If he can make his three-point shots, that will force Capela to defend him on the perimeter, and open space on the floor for the other players on his team, the Warriors will pick Houston apart. It all starts with Draymond Green.

3. Chris Paul

The second member of the dynamic duo in Houston, Paul has been a welcome addition to the Rockets. However, he also has a reputation for choking in the big moments. When Harden failed to show up in Game 5 against Utah, Paul exploded for 41 points and 10 assists. It's going to be important that Paul be able to pick up the slack when Harden can't.

4. Jayson Tatum

Tatum, even as a rookie, has been a stabilizing force on such a young team. He's been a consistent scorer on a team that has needed one. If Boston is going to succeed, Tatum will have to be even better than he has been. He'll also have to defend LeBron James.

5. Kevin Love

Love is the only viable scorer on the Cavaliers apart from LeBron. While he has taken a back seat recently, Love reminded us all why he was a 3 time All-Star in Minnesota, averaging 20 points a game against Toronto. Love will have to keep that up if Cleveland wants a shot against Boston.

6. Al Horford

When the Celtics needed a basket, they always went to the veteran presence of Horford. He has been an anchor on this young team that really needed it. If Boston is going to have any chance against such a stacked Cavs team, they'll need their dependable big man to step up.

7. LeBron James

Let's face it: the Cavaliers live and die by LeBron James. If he doesn't play up to snuff, the entire team will go up in flames. He has averaged 34 points a game in these playoffs, including winning two games by himself with incredible shots at the buzzer. The Cleveland wants any hope of winning the series, let alone a single game, LeBron has to play, and on top of that, he needs to play his butt off.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

44614
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28102
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952809
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

154213
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments