NBA: 5 Biggest X-Factors entering the 2018-19 season

Golden State Warriors DeMarcus Cousins (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors DeMarcus Cousins (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 10: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors attends a shootaround ahead of the team’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 10: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors attends a shootaround ahead of the team’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Boogie In The Bay

The biggest x-factor of the 2018-19 NBA season will be the health of Golden State Warriors‘ new man in the middle DeMarcus “ Boogie” Cousins. DeMarcus Cousins is unquestionably one of the best big men of the last half-a-decade in the NBA. Cousins is the quintessential modern Center with the ability to utilize brute power and force in the paint while also being able to deftly maneuver on the perimeter with offensive moves and long range shooting.

However the four-time NBA All-Star suffered a crushing torn achilles injury this past season. That caliber of injury has lessen many of basketball greats prior to Cousins. If Cousins is to return to even 70 percent of what he was before the Achilles tear the Warriors might be able to walk to a third straight championship. But the Warriors will be very vulnerable in the playoffs if Cousins is to struggle in his return laterally.

How Cousins returns this season will be one of if not the biggest factor on the outcome of the 2018-19 NBA season.