The NBA is about the players. It's not an owner-driven league, but one that thrives on the talents of individuals and the impact they make on the court.

Entire postseason series can change on the back of one man. Reggie Miller in Indiana, Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas, LeBron James in Cleveland. All completely changed the outlooks of their teams on their own.

Who will be those players this season?

Five players who could rock the postseason

1. Jimmy Butler, SF, Timberwolves — When Minnesota acquired Butler from the Bulls, the Twin Cities were thrilled, but Butler was just as excited to be reunited with coach Tom Thibodeau. The two match intensity like few other coach/player combinations in the NBA, and Butler could very well be the key to upsetting the apple cart in the Western Conference. Butler will match up with likely league MVP James Harden in the first round. He held Harden to 36 percent shooting in four games this season, and Butler very well could lead an upset for the Timberwolves.

2. Jaylen Brown, SG, Celtics — Since Kyrie Irving went down for the Celtics, it has been Brown who has taken over the scoring mantle in Boston. Brown averaged 20.5 points per game in five games in April and 13.6 points per game in March. He has come into his own since he emerged in the playoffs last season, and if he performs well in the first round, Boston could overcome its lull to end the season.

3. Jrue Holiday, PG, Pelicans — The Trail Blazers are an ISO team. They are last in the NBA in assists per game at 19.5, and this plays right into Holiday's hands. One of the most efficient defenders in the league, Holiday will lock up Damian Lillard and attempt to make Portland one-dimensional. Then if his defense helps the Pelicans get to the second round, the combination of Holiday and Anthony Davis could be scary for the Warriors or Spurs.

4. Joel Embiid, C, 76ers — This one is simple: Whenever Joel Embiid gets back, he will be the most challenging player to stop on the court. Coming off of surgery on a facial fracture, Embiid will be a matcup nightmare in each of the first two rounds and even a potential Eastern Conference Finals. The question: When will he be back?

5. Stephen Curry, PG, Warriors — By the same token, whenever Curry returns, the Warriors could be back to their old selves. The team lost six of 10 after Curry went down with a knee injury, and it is no-brainer that their offense is better when he is on the court. You might say the only way to beat the Warriors is before Curry gets back. The same question goes for Curry as Embiid: When will he return?