The biggest X-factors for every NBA Championship contender

The NBA has long been a star-driven league. Stars get the biggest contracts, the splashiest endorsement deals, and the most media attention. They’re the unquestioned centerpieces of their teams, but here’s a little secret: they can’t do it all on their own.

Stars need role players to feed them the ball, do the dirty work on defense, and nail wide-open jumpers. The quality of these supporting players is often the best indicator of whether a team is built to win an NBA championship.

We’ve examined the rosters of this year’s top contenders and have identified six players whose performance will determine how far their teams advance in Orlando.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma

You didn’t really think we were going to say J.R. Smith, did you? As much as we enjoy Twitter’s favorite punching bag, L.A.’s championship odds are far more contingent on the performance of Kyle Kuzma.

"Kuz" is averaging 6.2 fewer points per game since the arrival of Anthony Davis, but make no mistake about it, he’s still an explosive scorer when given the opportunity. The third-year forward went off for 36 points against the Thunder in a 125-110 shellacking in November, and has dropped 20 points or more eight times this season. If teams pay too much attention to Davis and LeBron James, Kuzma will be there to make them pay.

Milwaukee Bucks: George Hill

George Hill didn’t start a single game for the Bucks this season, but you can bet your bottom dollar he’ll be on the court in Milwaukee’s crunch-time lineups during the playoffs. The 34-year old guard is shooting a career-high 48% from beyond the arc and is precisely the kind of perimeter threat the Bucks need to prevent defenses from triple-teaming Giannis Antetokounmpo in the post. Expect a barrage of catch-and-shoot treys as Hill leads Milwaukee to its first NBA Finals appearance since 1974.

Los Angeles Clippers: Lou Williams

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are L.A.’s best players, but Lou Williams is the team’s heart and soul. The 33-year-old guard has never shied away from big moments, as evidenced by his sensational performance in the 2019 playoffs, when he averaged 26.6 points and 9.4 assists and pushed the defending champion Golden State Warriors to seven games.

Williams has already cemented his legacy as a three-time Sixth Man of the Year, but this may be the year that he finally adds "NBA Champion" to his resume.

Boston Celtics: Gordon Hayward

The Celtics proved in 2017-18 that they could win without Gordon Hayward after the All-Star forward suffered a gruesome leg injury on opening night. They’ll have to show they can get by without him again this September when he exits the NBA bubble in Orlando to attend the birth of his son.

The due date of Hayward's wife coincides with the NBA's Eastern Conference semifinals, and could force the 10-year vet to be away from his Celtic teammates for up to 10 days as he observes the league’s stringent health and safety protocols.

Houston Rockets: Eric Gordon

Russell Westbrook revealed on Monday morning that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will join the Rockets as soon as he has received medical clearance. In the meantime, Houston will have to lean heavily on Eric Gordon.

The former Sixth Man of the Year shot just 37% from the field prior to the league’s suspension in March, but Mike D’Antoni has been impressed with what he’s seen so far in Orlando. "He looks good, he’s shooting the ball extremely well," he said. "If you had to make an assessment of everybody, this is a big bonus for us. He’s ready to go."

Gordon will need to catch fire for Houston to have any chance of making a deep postseason run.

Toronto Raptors: Marc Gasol

It’s hard to imagine the Raptors repeating without Kawhi Leonard, but if they do it will be because of Marc Gasol. "Big Spain" is reportedly in the best shape of his life after shedding a significant amount of weight during the pandemic. His lithe new frame should improve his quickness on offense and allow for more switching on D, which is critical to Toronto’s success.

The 35-year-old Gasol is no longer an All-Star, but he is a proven playoff performer who can help win a series or two with his veteran savvy and steady play.

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