X-factors for upcoming NBL22 Finals

Written for NBL.com.au by Peter Hooley

Finals basketball is played at different level compared to any regular-season game. It’s more physical, more tactical and there’s undoubtably more energy. With more on the line, the superstars are set to rise above to put their team in the best position to win a title.

After the stars, there are the X-factors, those who every coach knows can swing a game’s momentum in their favour. Over the course of every Finals campaign, there are other players who come in and have a bigger impact that some would expect in the big moments.

I've picked out one player from each team who could shift their respective series.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MiKyle McIntosh doing work ?<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JackJumpers</a> forward put up 13 first half points.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> live on <a href="https://twitter.com/10PeachAu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@10PeachAu</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/rk0ofHq4qW">pic.twitter.com/rk0ofHq4qW</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1490187024187355147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

MiKyle McIntosh

What was a rough start to the season for McIntosh, turned into one of the more important pieces of the JackJumpers puzzle. With no Will Magnay, McIntosh has managed to produce some big performances off the bench and will be looking forward to the matchup against Melbourne United. McIntosh averaged just under 14 points in the three games against United, in just over 20 minutes of action, which was his best against any opponent all season long.

Furthermore, McIntosh scored in double figures just once in his first 11 games, until arriving at John Cain Arena where he dropped 16 points in 17 minutes in what was an upset win at the time for Tasmania. Since then, it seemed to re-energise his play as he scored in double figures eight times in the final half of the season. One of those included a 20 point performance in their last game, which was against who else – Melbourne United.

McIntosh will be entering the Semi-Final series with all sorts of confidence thanks to the way he has played against the regular-season champs. Physicality is what he does best, and if the whistle goes away, as it so often does in the finals, he might just thrive off the opportunity.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BABA BL?CK<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/y3dMUqujq7">pic.twitter.com/y3dMUqujq7</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1515239137669881856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yudai Baba

One of the fan favourites in Melbourne, Baba’s return for Dean Vickerman couldn’t have come at a better time. We saw last year the kind of impact he can have in a big game, with both his defensive pressure and ability to get out in transition. However, this season, his role could be even more important.

In the games that United lost throughout the season, it seemed as though there was limited to no energy from the playing group. They were battling away on defence, as they so often do, but in those games, it felt like they were fighting an uphill battle. Enter Yudai Baba. One thing Dean Vickerman will never have to worry about is him playing with energy and igniting a crowd.

He is only averaging just under four points since coming back to the NBL, but none of that matters when it gets to Finals time. Vickerman knows what Baba can bring to every game and every moment, and so do the opposition. A player who could break out for a quick double-figure scoring night or lock-up full court on the opposition's perimeter threat. Expect John Cain Arena to be loud when he steps on the floor.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">10 PTS<br>4 REB<br>100% FG<br><br>Makur Maker did his thing in half number 1?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> live on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/1hpqoLQSG7">https://t.co/1hpqoLQSG7</a> <a href="https://t.co/K1z1x03WY2">pic.twitter.com/K1z1x03WY2</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1513824981691830274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Makur Maker

All season long we have seen players grab opportunities and never look back. That can definitely be said for Makur Maker’s impact for the Kings. After missing a big chunk of the season due to injury, Maker is playing some of his best basketball at the right time. Scoring in double figures in five of his last nine games, Maker has shown that he can deliver for Chase Buford when called upon.

In what is going to be an incredible offensive matchup against the Illawarra Hawks, Maker’s ability to knock down shots will be a huge asset for the Kings against a potent offensive Hawks team. Perhaps more importantly than that, with the recent injury cloud around Jarell Martin, Buford will feel a little more at ease knowing Maker is ready to step in when needed. The Hawks have proven to be beasts on the rebounding end and Maker has shown that he can eat rebounds for fun in the limited time he’s been on the floor.

It won’t be with any particular level of flair, but with the Kings loaded with talent and firepower, it could be Maker’s silent impact that unlocks something for Sydney in this series.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's Mr. Slam Froling to you.<a href="https://twitter.com/samfroling_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@samfroling_</a> drops the lefty hammer ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> live on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/XxDmr2Hwmm">pic.twitter.com/XxDmr2Hwmm</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1514553655344594950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sam Froling

The Illawarra Hawks are loaded with offensive weapons all over the court. Even their bench players come in and hunt some shots. Yet don’t be surprised to see Sam Froling be one of the key pieces in the finals. Froling is the only player on the Hawks who can dominate a game without needing the ball in his hands.

They may have lost that overtime thriller two weeks ago against the Kings, but Froling’s 14 points and 13 rebounds to go with three blocks and two steals shows just how important he is for the Hawks. What makes Froling’s impact even more important, is that he will be matching up against Xavier Cooks for the majority of the contest. That battle alone is worth the price of admission.

In both of their recent matchups, it was Cooks and Froling who had huge impacts on the game. With all the offensive battles going on around them, Froling is one who is going to always do the dirty work that is needed. It's been a very strong season for Sam Froling, and Brian Goorjian couldn’t speak highly enough of his impact. But when you have a team loaded with offensive weapons like Tyler Harvey, Justinian Jessup and Duop Reath, a guy like Froling is exactly what is needed.