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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Jan 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives against Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) and guard Jarrett Jack (0) in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 113-102. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks: Paul Millsap

The Hawks are so balanced, it’s kind of hard to separate the stars from the X-factors. But with Paul Millsap dealing with a nagging shoulder injury, this one’s a bit of a no-brainer. Simply put, Atlanta has very little hope of beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a potential seven-game series if Millsap is unable to give 100 percent.

Though he played in the Hawks’ regular season finale, Millsap is still dealing with shoulder soreness. The good news? Atlanta doesn’t really need him to convincingly defeat the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. But after that? The road to the NBA Finals will get a little bit dicier.

Millsap has been Atlanta’s unsung hero this season. Kyle Korver‘s absurd shooting percentages garner him plenty of praise, Al Horford‘s return has been a happy story and Jeff Teague is a markedly improved player. But Millsap just keeps going to work, largely unnoticed by everyone outside of Atlanta.

If and when the Hawks face off with the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals, they’ll need a healthy Millsap who can exploit Kevin Love’s defensive flaws. They’ll also need him in general, since he’s been averaging 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game on the season — leading the team in all three categories.

Next: Golden State Warriors