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2018 NBA Playoffs: 8 X-Factors to keep an eye on in the first-round

By David Early

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 06: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a play against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 6, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 06: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a play against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 6, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 30: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against Ersan Ilyasova #7 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 30: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against Ersan Ilyasova #7 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers

Let’s be honest, Damian Lillard is this team. The Blazers won the 3 seed in the West, not because they’re especially well rounded, or do anything so well. They’re “whatever” at best without him. But he’s been a bona fide superstar this season. His advanced stats tells the story of a player who has been almost three times more irreplaceable than even his next best teammate. The gap is so big it resembles the gap between players like LeBron, Anthony Davis or Giannis Antetokounmpo and their teammates.

If you ever had the thought “maybe they could keep C.J. McCollum and trade Lillard and be fine” before this year, you can let that go. And while McCollum is no slouch and maybe their next best player, it’s Nurkic who will determine this team’s ceiling.

He leads them in DBPM and Defensive Win Share. At times he has anchored what has been the 7th most efficient defense in the NBA (although Blazers fans may be the first to point out the times he very much did not contribute to those efforts). The consistency will have to click. The dominant performances he is very much capable must be here to stay.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Playoffs Roundtable: Embiid vs. Whiteside; Raptors vs. history

His 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks helped secure a 3 seed against the fierce Rudy Gobert. Now he’ll have to show he can do it against a much bigger challenge, Anthony Davis.

He’s played really tough though against Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis. The “Bosnian Beast” is a handful. Oh and in case you’re curious if he cares about stats: