Assigning Credit for San Antonio Spurs' NBA Playoff Dominance

It's the same old story, but it has a brand new twist.

The San Antonio Spurs have been a model of success and consistency in the NBA for over a decade, winning at least 50 games in 14 consecutive seasons and qualifying for the playoffs every season during Tim Duncan's tenure.

The latter has led to four titles, and a fifth banner may very well find its way into San Antonio following this year's postseason.

Executing pure, old-fashioned dominance through the first three rounds of the playoffs—including a sweep in both the first round and the Western Conference Finals—the Spurs are now just one series away from obtaining their long-awaited fifth championship. Unlike in years past, however, the Spurs can thank a star other than Tim Duncan for their success.

Tony Parker has long been considered an above-average point guard, though it hasn't been until recently that the 31-year-old has reached elite status.

Though he was awarded the Finals MVP accolade in 2007, his contributions were fairly consistent with that of Duncan at the time.

This championship run has featured similar success; however, there is little doubt about who has been the team's leading man throughout the playoffs.

From the onset of the 2011-12 season, it had become apparent that Tony Parker is more than simply an above-average player. Duncan's decline had paved way for a new chapter, one that features Parker as the team's leading man. By 2013, any lingering questions had been answered. Parker has not only solidified his status as the Spurs' alpha dog, but he has earned his spot in the league's upper echelon of overall players.

His regular-season performance ensured his spot on an All-NBA team, though it has been surpassed by his unprecedented production in the playoffs.

Duncan's preseason assertion that San Antonio was "going to ride you [Parker] to the end," (via Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports) has been true. From the beginning of the season to their most recent postseason victory in the Western Conference Finals, Parker has assumed full control of the team.

Parker was excellent from the start, failing just once to reach the 20-point plateau in the Spurs' opening series against the Los Angeles Lakers. He carried the team throughout the series, ending the sweep with a 23-point performance in just 26 minutes.

Against the Golden State Warriors, Parker continued his efficient and bountiful production, despite losing a few battles to Stephen Curry early on.

By the Western Conference Finals, even the greatest of doubters could no longer deny Parker's status as a superstar. Sealing the pre-NBA Finals sweep with a 37-point performance, Parker has done more than simply raise the prestige of his own name. 

For the first time since 2007, the Spurs have won the Western Conference, and Parker is the primary reason why.

Of course, it would be disrespectful to Duncan, Gregg Popovich and the rest of the supporting cast to ignore their contributions to the team. The Spurs have maintained a reputation for their unique depth, and while Parker's guidance undoubtedly led the way, he alone did not guarantee the Spurs' a finals berth.

Duncan's resurgent season is worthy of endless praise, and his playoff contributions are second only to Parker. Passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time postseason double-double list, to say Duncan has simply been "good" would be a colossal understatement.

The 37-year-old legend never ceases to amaze, and his contributions—namely his performances against Golden State—have been essential to the title run.

Manu Ginobili has enjoyed his fair share of noteworthy showings, including an impressive playoff start against L.A. in addition to a vintage night against Memphis, among others.

Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green's collective defensive effort was essential in the Spurs' second round victory, as was Tiago Splitter's overall production against the Grizzlies. 

And of course, one cannot ignore Gregg Popovich's masterful coaching from the sidelines throughout the entirety of the season.

However, as good as Duncan, Pop and Co. have been to date, the Spurs have reached the NBA Finals as a result of the pure dominance demonstrated by one truly gifted point guard.

The Spurs have ridden on the shoulders of Tony Parker for the season's entirety, and with the stakes at an all-time high, you can bet that he'll headline any bit of success in the final round.