Anybody that knows anything about basketball will be able to tell you that LeBron James will need to play at an elite level in order for the Cleveland Cavaliers to have a shot at defending their NBA championship in 2016-17. However, a power move by the Golden State Warriors has already slanted the deck out of Cleveland’s favor and there is simply no way that LeBron is going to be able to carry the Cavaliers to a championship on his own. What has to happen in order for Cleveland to have a shot? Here is a look at the biggest x-factor for the top five teams in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland Cavaliers
X-Factor: Kyle Felder
The Cavaliers opted not to trade Kevin Love following a disappointing stretch from him in the playoffs. While that decision likely has a lot to do with the fact that they won a championship with him, it isn’t necessarily the right move to ensure future success. Cleveland will once again rely on LeBron, Love and Kyrie Irving as its big three but its depth will be tested come playoff time. Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov signed major free agent deals to play elsewhere while Mo Williams is considering retirement so the Cavaliers depth will look a lot different this season. Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Chris Anderson will be relied on to play substantial minutes but one name that really stands out is Kyle Felder. Cleveland paid him $2.4 million including $1 million in guarantees, which is a lot more than they were expected to pay for a second round pick. However, Felder’s athleticism and strong defensive play could lead to him playing a significant role in the Cavaliers’ rotation this season and that would make him a key x-factor to keep an eye on.
Toronto Raptors
X-Factor: Norman Powell
Toronto will lean on its All-Star tandem of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to lead the way once again this season but the biggest x-factor on their roster could very well be the first guard off the bench. Powell showed flashes of his considerable potential in last year’s playoffs, establishing himself as the team’s best perimeter defender while hitting 40.4-percent of his three-point shots. Powell is ready to take on more responsibility in his second NBA season and how much progress he makes will be an important key to the Raptors’ success.
Atlanta Hawks
X-Factor: Dennis Schroder
Schroder’s emergence forced the Hawks’ hand and they finally decided to part ways with veteran point guard Jeff Teague and hand the starting job to their young star this offseason. Schroder averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in just 20.3 minutes per game a year ago but his playing time could easily double now that Atlanta will insert him in to their starting five. The Hawks have some considerable talent on their roster but how far they go in the playoffs will depend heavily on Schroder’s emergence as their starting point guard.
Boston Celtics
X-Factor: Marcus Smart
The Celtics landed a star center in Al Horford and then drafted Jaylen Brown with the third-overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft to solidify their roster. Boston is deep across the board but one player to keep an eye out for this season is Smart. The Celtics parted ways with Evan Turner in the offseason so Smart will step in as the first guard off the bench this season. His strong defensive ability should make him an asset but the ability to stretch the floor with consistent shooting that forces opposing defenses to respect him will be the true key to Smart’s emergence as the x-factor for Boston this season.
Indiana Pacers
X-Factor: Myles Turner
Indiana has legitimate potential as a darkhorse team to watch in the Eastern Conference. Paul George is a star now three years removed from a devastating knee injury. Teague gives them a veteran point guard with All-Star potential. Thaddeus Young was another decent addition as a fourth or fifth option on offense that can hold his own on defense while Monta Ellis still has the potential to be a dangerous offensive threat. The x-factor for the Pacers will be Turner, who showed flashes of his elite potential throughout last season and in the first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Toronto Raptors. Turner has the potential to be an elite big man with the length and athleticism to dominate the paint at both ends of the floor and the scoring ability of a stretch floor. Turner will have every opportunity to make a tremendous impact for Indiana this season and his emergence could solidify Indiana’s position as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
