The Y Factor

The Y factor, simply put, is the player that makes the opposing coach ask, “Why is this guy posing a problem for us?” More elaborately put it’s Y!= E3 , which is when Excellence is only Exceeded by Exuberance.

Sticking with the Celtics, one of the all time greatest examples of the Y factor was in game two of the 2008 finals. Leon Powe put a beat down on the Lakers by scoring 21 points in Boston’s 108-102 victory. Phil Jackson would later mispronounce Leon Powe as “Pow” in other words “Why is this no name beating us!!?”Just about every team has a Y factor, even the Clippers, except in their case its “Why do any of these guys play in the NBA?” To distinguish themselves as the Y player of the year one must not only prove his worth on the court(E3), but elicit outrage from the opposing team. Let’s have a quick rundown of some of this year’s playoff Y factor candidates.

Bad Hair Division
The Chicago Bulls had a number of X factors show up in their series defeat to the Celtics, but there is perhaps no player more deserved of the Y factor trademark than Joakim Noah. The Y factor is taken to the infinite degree in his case. Why did he average a double double (10 ppg, 13 rpg)? Why was he able to foul on almost every possession? Why did his energy never wane for a minute in that marathon series? Why does he have that hair? Why does he shoot free throws like he’s Patrick Swayze molding clay in Ghost? And finally, but most importantly, why is a French American so easy to hate? Noah’s play in that series is undoubtedly the highlight of his professional career. He carried himself well and played a very competitive highly energized brand of basketball that left its mark in just about every game of the series. It also left Doc scratching his head asking, “Why is this guy beating us?”

Runners Up
Anderson Varejao - Cleveland’s been too dominant for anyone to ask Y about this Brazilian menace. Plus everyone has their mouth in a permanent WOW phase watching LeBron.

Luis Scola - Scola has some big shoes to fill for the injured Yao Ming and while he hasn’t yet had a defining Y moment he’s currently averaging a double-double against the Lakers.

No Hair Division
The Celtics are once again throwing their hat into the ring for the Y player of the year with the emergence of Glen “Big Baby” Davis. He’s averaging more than double his season average in points with 17 per game in the playoffs. His most memorable two came in game 4 in Orlando when he nailed the game winning shot as time expired.

Runners Up
Marcin Gortat - He’s only averaging 10 minutes a game in the Celtic’s series, but his shiny bald dome draws you to it like a moth to a flame. The guy just flat out-hustles anyone near him, usually by fouling, but what may come as a shock to some is that he may just have the best post up moves on the entire Magic team.

The XY Factor
This one particular player is serving as both his teams X and Y factor. Aaron Brooks, the 6 foot nothing rookie PG out of Oregon is averaging 17+ in the series against the Lakers. This included his Y coming out party in game 4 when he torched Derek Fisher and the Lakers for 34 points. While he’s been inconsistent, which is actually consistent of rookie PG’s, he’s been the catalyst to the Rockets success, shooting 19-34 in the Rockets two wins and just 12-34 in their three losses. Look for at least one more explosion from the rook and maybe Phil might call him Aaron Brokes or something.

In conclusion…Glen Davis = Y! = E3
Big Baby is by far and away this year’s front runner for the Y factor of the year. When a third string PF can come in averaging nearly 17 points per game, while nailing game winning shots, and carrying their team in the 4th quarter of a pivotal game 5 you know he’s a factor. What makes him the undisputed Y factor is the frustration he’s causing the opposition. He’s elicited two negative public responses from the Magic. First Ron Van Jeremy came out and said that break in the defense was entirely his fault. C’mon Stan! Just say it…say “I can’t believe F’n Big Baby hit a shot at the buzzer!! Are you kidding me?!? I’d give that bum 10 more of those shots to close out a game any day!” Then when Davis played a remarkable fourth quarter in Game 5, Dwight Howard had to publicly criticize his coach and demand he get the ball more often. How many Magic fans do you think are out there asking, “Why is Big Baby beating us?” I know one portly kid who got too close to the sidelines is having nightmares about him right now!

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