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2017 NBA Finals: Potential x-factors for the Cavs and Warriors

By Jonathan Macri

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

As the 2017 NBA Finals prepares to tip off, we explore potential x-factors for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors

The notion that any x-factor is going to decide the NBA Finals involving the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors is a bit specious to begin with. 

It’s tempting to say that an unexpected contribution from a member of LeBron James’ supporting cast could decide a game or two. Just last year (with apologies to LeBron’s block), the two biggest plays of the Finals were Kyrie’s shot and Love’s stop. 

It doesn’t change the fact that the Cavs will go only as far as James is able to take them. In that sense, the two biggest x-factors of this year’s championship round will be whether or not LeBron can increase the already ungodly minutes totals he has been accumulating throughout these playoffs, and if he does, will he run out of gas by the end of the series.

For Golden State, the story is an entirely different one. Who needs x-factors when you’ve built the greatest offensive juggernaut in NBA history that also happens to be the second-best defense in the league?

Still, the Warriors will not be able to play 48 minutes with their four All-Stars plus the former Finals MVP. In all likelihood, someone that 95 percent of casual basketball fans have never heard of will make a decisive fourth quarter play for Golden State at some point in this series. 

That’s the thing about x-factors…they’re rarely who you think they will be. With that caveat, here’s the best guess at what unsung player will get the chance to step up for each team in this series.

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