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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 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets: Corey Brewer

I’ve said it many times: the Houston Rockets need Terrence Jones to eventually become the third member of this team’s Big Three alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard. But given his injury problems early in the season and that he’ll now be asked to take on an expanded role with Donatas Motiejunas done for the season, it might be unfair to expect him to be the X-factor this year.

Instead, we’ll go with the guy whose energy will be needed to carry the Rockets when James Harden needs a breather. Corey Brewer is a one-man fast break, he’s a veteran presence and he’s someone you want on your side in a playoff series. Unfortunately, he’s also seen his production tail off a bit every month since February, when he averaged 13.4 points per game.

Houston’s offense is predicated on layups and three-pointers. Brewer is good at one of those things, but the Rockets would really appreciate it if he could find his touch from downtown. Brewer has only converted 28.4 percent of his 3.5 three-point attempts per game in Houston, and the Rockets would love to see that number dramatically increase now that the playoffs are here.

Brewer’s energy and sneaky leak-outs will help the Rockets get easy points when they need them. But this team’s offense calls for a high number of three-point attempts and it needs him to be a kind of 3-and-D player, even if that’s never really been his game.

Next: Atlanta Hawks