Who was the X-factor during our streak? This answer should be easy. Carl Landry. With him there was no ceiling. He was finishing anything within five feet, he was grabbing half the boards that fell back into the paint on offense, he was nailing the 18ft jumper better than Juwan ever did, or ANY power forward I remember us having (I only remember to Thorpe, sorry). If he can return to something near his previous level of play, then I'd certainly feel much better about our chances against anyone.
Rafer and Scolandry. In our streak Rafer was scoring and playing out of his mind. In our streak Scola and Landry together were putting up like 28 points and 17 boards combined while shooting around 60%. Our offense doesn't depend as heavily on McGrady and can get away without depending on him at all sometimes if those three are hitting at all cylinders like during the streak.
offensively, rafer and landry defensively, as long as shane does his usual excellent defense, scola would have to play well in defense against the great power forwards of the west.
The obvious and most correct answer is Yao Ming. We can win a series or two without him but NBA Title is highly unlikely. With him I would count us out against anyone whatsoever.
I'd say of course Rafer Alston. Man this guy needs to do his best in the playoffs, he needs to focus on his shots and try to be agressive on offense. His game will be very important, as important as bench's play.
Anyone not named McGrady. Especially Skip. He's the second option. With all the great PG's, he's gonna have to match at least 70% of their performance. Which means he's gonna have to play All-NBA defense like he has all season and be very efficient on offense. I'll give him some slack and say 42-43% shooting from him is mandatory.
Obviously it's Rafer Alston. There's a reason why we usually do good when he's doing good and bad when he's doing bad. Next up is 3-point shooting and Scola/Landry.
I think how the rooks respond to their first playoffs is the x-factor. Also if Luther can bounce back from last years disappointing showing in the playoffs. I think in both cases we will be okay. I am glad that we have bobby jax to help out at pg in case Aaron wigs out.
Well, like you said, if a man is too tired, you can't expect him to be attacking the rim as much. He was insane in game 2 and game 5. He was a rim magnet. Sure his shooting percentage may not be as good, but tell me, who else in the team stepped up? Who else didn't choke? Yao maybe, but can you name me anyone else who actually stepped up his game? If nobody steps up, t-mac will have to do it himself. Thats what he did in game 1, game 2, game 5. There is only so much a man can do. If it was a 5 game series, T-mac will probably in the finals by now, but its a 7 game series. There is bound to be a point where another player has to step up and dominate. But it never happened (Lebron sucked in game 6 if I can remember against the pistons, but his team stepped up)............
Carl Landry and Scola. I think PF defense is a weakness and I don't want to see Chuck tossing up air balls from 5 feet. I can't wait to see what they do against Amare and Shaq on Friday who blew out the Spurs.
