Tony Parker Will Lead the Spurs to the NBA Finals

After being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs are aiming to make a deep playoff run once again.

I think the Spurs will face the Thunder in the Conference Finals for a second straight year, but I foresee a different outcome this time. If the Spurs stay healthy, I can picture them reaching the NBA Finals, and possibly knocking off the Miami Heat for their 5th title in franchise history.

The reason I feel this way is because of one man, Tony Parker.

Parker has been the anchor of this year's Spurs squad. As future hall of famer Tim Duncan is going through what is probably the final phase of his career and Manu Ginobili's bald spot keeps getting bigger and bigger, Tony Parker has done an outstanding job putting the team on his back. He averaged a team-high 20.3 points per game in 66 games this regular season. He also dished out nearly 8.0 assists per game. 

Parker has maintained his team leading statistics into the beginning of the NBA Playoffs, as he is averaging 23 points and 7.5 assists in the first two games against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. One of his most outstanding games of the year came against the Lakers in Game 2. Parker put up a statline of 28 points and 7 assists, with a dominant fourth quarter performance.

If the Spurs' French point guard can keep up his tremendous play, this could turn out to be a magical postseason for the San Antonio Spurs.