Shaquille O’Neal, Kendrick Perkins, Manu Ginobili Among Top 10 X Factors in 2011 NBA Playoffs

Every team has their star players, their big-name guys with eight-figure contracts getting all the hype. And by and large, championships are won in the NBA by the team with the biggest star. The Michael Jordans, the Kobe Bryants, the Tim Duncans of the world — those are the guys taking home hardware.

But you also need another character to star in your championship drama. You need the X factor. You need the surprise guy who steps up and hits a big jump shot. You need the injured guy who comes back and gives your team a boost. You need that wild-card guy who overcomes his own insanity and shines in the moment of truth.

Who will be that guy this spring? There are plenty of candidates, to say the least.

Here are 10 players who could emerge as the X factor of the 2011 NBA playoffs>>