It’s been a highly entertaining year for the NBA Playoffs and while we sit and wait for the NBA Finals to come around, these four franchises are battling for an opportunity to bring home that beloved championship.
There’s no question these teams are filled to the brim with stardom, but as we’ve seen countless times in this league, it takes more than a few featured players on a team to win in the Finals. It also takes that one player who everyone knows is potentially bound to have a big game and with the Finals closer than they’ve ever been this year, we’re going to dive in and see what players from which team need to step up for their squad to have their best chance at winning.
Dallas Mavericks: Derrick Jones Jr
While it is a real possibility that in-season trade acquisition, P.J. Washington just as easily fits this role for the Dallas Mavericks, Derrick Jones Jr. has stepped up immensely in the playoffs. Head coach, Jason Kidd has begun to rely much more on the veteran forward and it’s paying off incredibly well.
Shooting an average of 65% from the field in his past three outings, Derrick Jones helped the Mavericks to two straight victories to close the best team in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder out in six games. While he’s also been extremely efficient, he’s also contributed an average of 12.9ppg throughout the second round which topples his regular season average by 4 points.
With Derrick Jones, you get an arrange of versatile weapons. An atheltic big who can help bolster down a rather week back-court for the Mavericks as well as a serious threat on the permiter on both sides of the floor. With Jones elite versatility being utilized, as well as constant production from stars Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, and previously mentioned, P.J. Washington, the Dallas Mavericks stand a real chance at putting the Timberwolves into hibernation.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been nothing but entertaining and dominant this NBA Season. Led by Superstar, Anthony Edwards and an undoubtedly talented surrounding squad, there’s no doubt that the Timberwolves have made a franchise that will be terrifying to face for the next few years.
Upsetting the reigning champions in the second round was no small task, all be it, it took seven games and an unbelivable comeback from this team to make their first Conference Championship appearance in 20 years! While It’s incredibly difficult to pick a player for this role, the nod has to be given to the rising star, Jaden McDaniels.
Known for his defensive prowess, McDaniels contributed not just defense, but an excellent showcase of offensive expertise in two must-win games. The young star shoots at a jaw dropping effective rate while still assisting an already steifling defense. It goes without saying that McDaniels is expected to hold his own defensively in a matchup consisting of him and P.J. Washington in the next round, but if he can once again prove to be a true threat on the offensive side of the ball, he’ll be an absolute nightmare for the Dallas Mavericks to go up against.
Boston Celtics: Derrick White
Shifting to the Eastern Conference stand the star studded Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday. All serving as an essential component to this teams success. It makes you wonder if an X-Factor player is even necessary for such a team. Yes, it is. Especially for a team such as the Celtics who we’ve seen get so close to obtaining another champioship in their more impressive throphy room.
While their team stands tall and strong as it is, Derrick White’s consistent contributions often go without being noticed.
The 29 year old has been a dominating force this postseason. Filling up the stat sheet in crucial ways. While serving an essential role of offense, it’s his versatility on defense that earns him so much respect. A player who refuses to back down to any opponent is a player you want on your team. A player who can be a consistent option and step up to any task you ask of him is a player you need to have on your team in order to succeed. While many teams have struggled to find that guy on their roster, the Celtics have found the best option available in Derrick White.
Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nembhard
The final and potentially most surprising team to make a Conference Finals appearance this year are the Indiana Pacers. Say what you want about how they got to this point, but the fact is, they’re here and they’re willing to give everything they have to make their impression felt throughout the league.
A team like this is hard to pick and choose who they need to step up. While Tyrese Haliburton has struggled at moments during the postseason, his presence is still felt widely during the games course. Pascal Siakam who has done nothing but bolster down the leagues second most effective offense. Then there’s Myles Turner, a proven veteran who can give you much trouble in the paint on both sides, but in a series that requires someone nobody is expectig to step up, Andrew Nembhard is exactly that guy.
Nembhard contributes to a role on the Pacers that is much needed. A scoring option who can facilitate an offense that relies on pacing and space. While it’s not expected that Tyrese Halibutron continues his struggles, if that were to be the case, the player needing to make a significant impact would be that of Andrew Nembhard.
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