Nets fans: What do you believe is this teams x-factor?

[Boarder Patrol]

It's no secret that if Kidd can coach/health is good/they don't pull a Lakers, the Nets will be competing for a title this year. My question is simple. If you believe your team can win the title and has a good chance to do so, what is the deciding factor?

It's doesnt need to and shouldn't be a superstar, just that one thing that eventually tips the scales in your favor, like Ray Allen's timeliness for the Heat.

if I had so say, I'd go with Evans rebounding. he shores up what would prove to be a weakness with Lopez and a limited KG. you can even broaden this to front court depth as a whole.

And if you'd allow me for a moment, I'm new to this forum and forums in general, so I don't really have a reference point of what is np thread worthy or not, so a stinker will pop up every now and then.id like to think a lot of us experienced this.

Discuss.

[PetroNet]

Reggie's rebounding is needed, but it is FAR from any kind of x-factor for this team. if he was lost for the season, we'd plug in blatche/plumlee and not see any noticeable drop off or dip.

The x-factor for this team is how good lopez can be as a team defender and/or how much you can hide him on defense against great passing teams. The other is kirilenko and just how good can he be defensively. if you can finish a game out with AK/KG at the 4/5 with elite defense, we are going to be tough to beat.

really though, there is no one thing outside how good we can play defensively. we have too much depth for injuries to matter. to much size for rebounding to be a MAJOR issue(it will be a slight concern) too much scoring and passing for offense to be an issue, and too much IQ on the bench for coaching to be an issue.

we are going to win 55-60 regardless of injuries. we are going to get into the 2nd round no matter what happens. whether we get to the ECF or finals is all based on how good we can defend

[Kindje]

X factor is how to make synergy of too many big egos.

[PetroNet]

X factor is how to make synergy of too many big egos.

outside of dwill and maybe terry, what big ego?

johnson - super reserved and humble
lopez - smallest ego on the planet, even to a fault
pierce - extremely humble and selfless player
KG - just wants to win and will sacrafice anything for that
AK - no ego
Blatche - more of a chip on his shoulder then an ego

ego wont be a problem or even a minor concern. these guys are all vets who get it

[MrDollarBills]

Kidd's in game adjustment ability, Deron Williams distribution, Lopez's health, and AK47's defense imo are the x factors.

Everything else will be a given.

[MrDollarBills]

X factor is how to make synergy of too many big egos.

outside of dwill and maybe terry, what big ego?

johnson - super reserved and humble
lopez - smallest ego on the planet, even to a fault
pierce - extremely humble and selfless player
KG - just wants to win and will sacrafice anything for that
AK - no ego
Blatche - more of a chip on his shoulder then an ego

ego wont be a problem or even a minor concern. these guys are all vets who get it

The fact that Lopez and Johnson aren't huge ego players is the key here.

[Kindje]

Some of the players you mentioned has to live with less points on stats sheet. It will hurt somebody maybe. We are not National Team selection. All off them (louder or quieter egos) made star reputation scoring points (only KG not).
I am not saying that will happen but there is possibility. Kid is key factor to make them sure that the team is ahead of everyone.

[CalamityX12]

When I think X-factor, I would think outside the top five players, this case, our starters although Lopez would qualify as the x-factor.

So I'd go with Kidd/Coaching staff.... Blatche comes in 2nd for me....

[NyCeEvO]

It's not a given that D-Will will play at the high level he did in the 2nd half of last season, so to me the biggest X-factor is what type of D-Will we'll see.

Behind that, I think AK's offensive and defensive impact will play a huge role in how good of a team we are. We're depending on him to backup both Pierce and Garnett, who are both very critical to our success and are up in age.

If AK can play solid D and maintain his high BBIQ play style on offense, we'd go from being a good team playoff team to a great ECF and possible Finals team.

[M I K E]

IMO Kirilenko will be the X-Factor...Our biggest problem spots last year were at SF and PF and we now have Pierce and Garnett but they will need their rest but AK can cover both spots if needed...In other words AK will make Pierce and Garnett more effective by allowing them to play less minutes as well as bringing his own huge talents to the table.

I still can't believe we have him on our team.

[M I K E]

While looking at our roster now it seems to me that we can afford to lose almost any player except for Deron Williams...Should we now get another capable PG for added insurance ?

[ddb]

without a doubt it's Joe Johnson. how will he handle being the 5th option and standing in the corners? because that's who he's gonna be.

[deepblueday]

it's deron williams. if he plays like a superstar, we have a very real chance at a title. if he plays like the guy who was embarrassed by kirk hinrich's defense and nate robinson's offense, we don't.

[SpeedyG]

It's gonna be Lopez. If he takes his game to another level like the way Hibbert was able to punish the Heat, so long as this team stays healthy...then this team will be dangerous come playoff time.

[Rollydog]

Basically all players are x factors, even if everyone is relatively healthy that doesnt guarantee we will be a great team. Our floor is probably around where we were last year, but to beat the heat we're going to be near the ceiling. That means DWill plays like he did post all star break, Johnson either steps up his game to be a viable third option or embraces being a "glorified role player", pierce/garnett are able to refuel.... AK I am actually least worried about. He's a team player who's still pretty young. Lopez just needs to stay healthy. If he can continue to evolve thats great but its not something we NEED.

[PetroNet]

Some of the players you mentioned has to live with less points on stats sheet. It will hurt somebody maybe. We are not National Team selection. All off them (louder or quieter egos) made star reputation scoring points (only KG not).
I am not saying that will happen but there is possibility. Kid is key factor to make them sure that the team is ahead of everyone.

pierce has already accepted sharing the load in boston when their big 3 formed.
KG doesnt need shots.
Kirilenko is the ultimate team guy and doesnt need shots
Joe Johnson had no problem accepting his role as a 3rd option last year
Brook lopez has the smallest ego in pro sports.
Deron williams has no issue passing

its an enormous reach to think that someone not getting shots will be an issue. i cant imagine it ever even being a small issue, let alone any kind of concern. we have the most unselfish team in basketball. its our biggest strength as a team. thats the other side of the coin of having an older team... these guys have all made their money, now they just want to win

[Paradise]

In terms of ego, the only guy on the team I've said that might show some ego in minutes, role, playing time is Reggie Evans.

The X-Factor is clearly on Deron's shoulders. Brook had a career season and the team kind of dragged on throughout the season. Once Deron started to get healthy, there was more consistency in offense, roles, overall tempo and wins started to pile up.

Deron struggling: 14-14

Deron playing healthier: 17-11

He's going to have to bring it. He's also going to have to pace himself because he will be relied upon when Paul and Kevin miss games due to rest or injury where he will have to score 20 plus. There is no excuses with him anymore. He's going to play with the most talent in his basketball in his career. It's time for him to step up and lead.

[exculpatory]

I say again DWill is the leader & the key to the season.

[2Mas]

outside of dwill and maybe terry, what big ego?

Woah.. Terry does NOT have an ego. He has supreme confidence in himself & his team, which is good obviously, but he's definitely not a me first player.

He'll do whatever it takes to win a chip there. He really doesn't have an ego. He's a talker for sure & is a little cocky cause when he's hot he knows it, but he never let an ego affect the lockeroom, on the court, coaches, other players nothing like that.

Terry is a pain in a$$ sometimes cause he talks more than he'll back it up, BUT he's a pros pro & having him around will do great stuff for your team. You guys are getting 3 of the most winningest basketball minds in the NBA.

[chas0x01]

I think BBIQ will be your X-factor. You just picked up 3 very high BBIQ guys in PP KG and AK...