Jae Crowder is the Cleveland Cavaliers’ X-Factor
The Cleveland Cavaliers, throughout their thirteen-game win streak, have found not only their identity but their X-factor, Jae Crowder.
Over the course of the Cleveland Cavaliers last fifteen games, they have gone 14-1 and have truly found their identity as a team.
Dwyane Wade has transitioned to the bench and been the most influential player off the bench for Cleveland. Meanwhile, Kyle Korver has struck gold and been playing some of the best basketball of his career, cashing in over 2.5 in the Cavs last 15. Not to mention, LeBron James has also been doing LeBron James-like things, averaging over 27 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds.
So, there’s all that, and then there is Jae Crowder. Jae Crowder has been the true X-factor for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Before we call him the Cavs’ X-factor, let’s take a look at what the definition of an X-factor is. According to the Cambridge dictionary, an X-factor is “a quality that you cannot describe that makes someone very special.” In this instance, instead of quality, it’s player, and instead of someone, it’s a team.
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Jae Crowder has several qualities that make him special that can be described. For instance, we know he’s an above average three-point shooter and defender. Crowder is one of the best three-and-D players in the NBA, and while he has yet to settle down and find his rhythm in Cleveland, when he plays well, the Cavs win.
The Cavaliers are a resounding 11-0 when Crowder scores 10+ points per game. So, while he might not be the most effective scorer or shooter, when he excels, Cleveland wins. Many, many other players on the Cavaliers put up double-digit scoring while the Cavaliers lose. That’s the part that is hard to describe. Why when Crowder scores 10+ do the Cavaliers always win?
It’s tough to say it’s just purely because of his impact either. In one of the Cavaliers’ thirteen straight games, Crowder scored 12 points but was a dreadful -12 while on the court. Another example is when Crowder scored 13 against the Knicks but ended the game with a -17 +/-. Both those games, the Cleveland Cavaliers obviously won.
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Coincidences do happen, but after 11 straight games of winning when Crowder hits double-figures, luck is eventually taken out of the drawing. Crowder truly has an indescribable quality that helps the Cavaliers succeed. Crowder is definitely the Cavaliers’ X-factor.