X-FACTORS.

On every team and film set, you have the big stars—the ones who carry the team and the project and are crucial to its success. But then, you have the people who may be seen as not as important but are crucial to the success. Without “those people,” things start to fall apart. I call them the X-Factors.

But you may ask what is an X-Factor? Why are they so important? Why does every team or set need an X-Factor?

Well, let’s look at the 2011 Dallas Mavericks team that won the NBA Finals against the favorite, superstar-loaded Miami Heat. This was considered a huge upset in the basketball world. The Mavericks only had Dirk Nowitzki as the big star, while the Heat had Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh, also known as the Big Three. However, the Heat wasn’t the only superstar-loaded team they had to face. First, there were the Trailblazers who had Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. Next was Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum of the Lakers, who the defending champions from the previous season. Next was the Thunder who had Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and James Harden. Their road to the NBA Finals was harder.

Everyone thought it was going to be 4-0 series sweep for the Heat.  However, what the Heat and everyone else didn’t know during the series and underestimated was that the Mavericks had multiple X-Factors that they didn’t have a response for and completely overlooked. The X-Factors included JJ Barea, Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler, Jason Kidd, and Shawn Marion. We are going to break down how each player’s role was crucial to the Mavericks' success in winning the championship.

Top Row: Jason Kidd & Tyson Chandler; Bottom Row: Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, JJ Barea

For Jason Barea, Wade expressed, “We didn’t have no answer for him,” because Barea came off the bench and completely disrupted the Heat’s defense with quick drives and fearless plays. That is deadly and profound when your opponent or enemy says that they have no answer for you. That shows power. Jason Terry was the ultimate 6th man coming from the bench. He made clutch plays by hitting three-point shots that truly mattered and gave the Mavericks an edge. He became Dirk’s reliable scoring partner, meaning if Dirk is having an off game, Terry could cover him until Dirk got in a groove again. Tyson Chandler was known for his defensive presence in the paint and gave Chris Bosh a hard time in scoring. He provided the toughness that the Mavericks needed. Even though Jason Kidd was on the older side at age 38, he provided veteran leadership and was the calmness in the storm type of player when the pressure got high. Shawn Marion was known for keeping LeBron James and Dwayne Wade at bay through his defense. He didn’t score a lot of points but he understood his role and that was to slow James and Wade down as much as possible. He also contributed through crucial hustle plays, in other words, doing the things that not every player wants to do like taking a charge, diving on the floor for a ball and fighting for positions. He was so versatile. 

These players each filled a gap that needed to be filled. They were the unsung heroes and were essential to the success. They didn’t seek the recognition, the hype or the headlines; their presence was felt and left an impact. They were focused on the prize and assisting Dirk in any way they could. They were the ghosts that moved in silence and were the backbone to Dirk’s dominance. That is what being an X-Factor is all about!

Just like the snow leopard. They are considered X-Factors. Why? Although they are rarely seen, their impact and presence are vital—they keep the mountain environment balanced and intact. They control the herbivore population because, without them, there would be overgrazing. The snow leopard doesn’t dominate the spotlight, but it leaves a lasting impression. Snow leopards are the backstage crew of the Himalayas and Central Asian mountains. They don’t dominate the stage like tigers or lions, but without them, the whole performance collapses. Their X‑factor is being the quiet stabilizer — unseen, under-appreciated, but indispensable.

To be an x-factor, you have to have humility, courage, focus, excellence, and discipline. It’s a role you must accept and thrive in, because you are just as important as the stars. Our job is to uplift them and the environment we are in.

So, what are you? Are you an X-factor?