Golden State Warriors: 5 X-Factors In The 2015 NBA Finals

May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Shaun Livingston (34) and guard Stephen Curry (30) react during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights (5) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Marreese Speights‘ Return

According to a report from Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area, Marreese Speights could be nearing his return after missing the last few weeks because of a calf strain. He’s considered day-to-day for now, but he’ll most likely be cleared to play in Game 1 Thursday night.

On the surface, this doesn’t seem like much of an X-factor at all. The Warriors haven’t really needed him in their run to the Finals and a guy like Speights was never going to decide a championship series anyway.

But let’s not forget that for about half the season, Mo Speights was a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He averaged 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the field during the season, he plays with energy and he gets the fans fired up when he makes big plays off the bench:

Those numbers drastically dipped to 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.3 minutes per game (on 34.5 percent shooting) in the playoffs, but a little added depth behind Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut would be a definite boost.

I’m not saying Speights is going to have a breakout Finals game, but in every championship series, you usually see one or two unexpected role players step up. Speights’ return gives the Dubs’ one more option off the bench to become that guy.

Next: No. 4

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