NBA Playoffs: 6 X-Factors that could shift a series

NBA Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
NBA Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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NBA Milwaukee Bucks Eric Bledsoe (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks

Though the injured Malcolm Brogdon (a member of the elusive and exclusive 50-40-90 club) is also a largely important player on the team, whose shooting allows Giannis to do what he does best, Bledsoe is the obvious choice. He already secured his next contract, so his playoff performance won’t impact him financially.

Bledsoe “choked: last year in the playoffs, against the Celtics team he may face in the second round this year. He may be inspired to avenge his past failure, or he may get shook again.

His ability to shoot, defend, and penetrate opens up the best facets of Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s game, but if he’s off his game, it stifles the Freak’s ability to do freaky things.