Hoops Habit
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The Biggest X-Factor On Every NBA Playoff Team

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) drives in between New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) drives in between New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) rebounds in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Love

Remember this guy? Remember last season when we thought he was a superstar? My how things can change in a year, and it’s for that reason that I feel no guilt whatsoever listing him as an X-factor even if he’s technically the third member of Cleveland’s Big Three. The Cavs don’t really need Love to play at a high level in the first round, but they’d certainly like him to since this is his first playoff series.

I’m not worried about Kyrie Irving; that guy is too talented to struggle, he’s had no problems fitting in with LeBron James’ Cavs and even if he does struggle, he’s still so young. But Love has always had a weird, on-again, off-again relationship with LeBron, and we’re all secretly wondering if it could derail this team’s playoff hopes.

If Cleveland wants to win a championship this season, it may depend on what they get out of Love in the playoffs. Can he become the ideal pick-and-pop partner we all envisioned him to be? Or will he be the disgruntled big sitting on the bench late in close games because of his defense?

Those might be questions for David Blatt, but in the games when Love’s been able to spread the floor with his three-point touch, the Cavs have looked dangerous. That means the guy who’s seen his number decline every month since January should probably bring his A-game for the playoffs, because even King James can’t do it alone.

Next: Houston Rockets