5 Keys to San Antonio Spurs Breaking Through for 1st Repeat Championship

The San Antonio Spurs' NBA Finals victory over the Miami Heat last postseason marked the fifth time the silver and black brought the Larry O'Brien Trophy home. However, the 2014-15 team can accomplish a new feat.

Never has the franchise won two consecutive titles, but San Antonio is working to change that fact.

Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick writes the thought of back-to-back championships doesn't necessarily excite the Spurs; they simply want to attain a goal that coincidentally could happen in two straight seasons.

Regardless, all 14 members return from the squad—plus one addition in UCLA product Kyle Anderson—so the Spurs boast the league's roster most familiar with each other.

But it's not a matter of showing up and winning, Gregg Popovich's team will rely on a handful of keys for the repeat title to materialize.

X-Factor Boris Diaw

Once cut by the worst franchise in the NBA, Boris Diaw quickly found a home, dropped some weight and revitalized his fading career.

Since signing with San Antonio in March 2012, the point-forward has showcased outstanding vision, a decent rebounding ability and solid defense. And of course, scoring.

His 40.2 percent mark from distance last year approached a career high, but the 32-year-old's newfound aggressiveness played a critical role in the reserve unit's success.

Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News notes the NBA's general managers tabbed Diaw and Kenneth Faried as the league's best role players.

Diaw earned minutes in clutch situations, and the Spurs will definitely need similar contributions against an even more strenuous slate.

Dominate the Defensive Glass

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While the Spurs do not grab many offensive rebounds, that specific shortfall is a product of a system intended to not allow transition baskets.

Consequently, San Antonio must control the defensive glass like it did last season, snaring the fourth-most rebounds in that category and allowing the 10th-fewest, per teamrankings.com.

Tiago Splitter, Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard led the way throughout 2013-14, and they'll be called upon to shoulder the load once again—with contributions from Diaw and the second-unit center.

The Spurs' offensive successes are a product of Pop's scheme, but it all starts with ending possessions on the opposite end of the court.

Efficient 3-Point Shooting

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Despite what new Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott apparently thinks, per ESPN's Baxter Holmes, three-point shots do indeed help win championships.

San Antonio attempted just the 16th-most from beyond the arc last regular season, but the sharpshooting squad led the NBA with a 39.7 percent clip from deep.

More importantly, though, the Spurs posted the second-best overall mark from the field. Attacking the rim is great, but the threat of a consistent and efficient collective three-point complement is a difference-maker.

Between Danny Green, Marco Belinelli and Patty Mills—around mid-January—San Antonio has three lights-out shooters available on a nightly basis. Sprinkle in some Leonard, Diaw, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kyle Anderson, and the team's depth of shooting talent is superb.

Nevertheless, the arc is best used as a complement, not a primary shooting location.

Navigate the Western Conference

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Has the Western Conference ever been better? San Antonio shouldn't be in danger of missing the postseason for the first time in 18 seasons, but its competition is stellar.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder join the Spurs as the West's elite trio. The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers safely rest on the second tier, while the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans might surprise some folks. Heck, the Memphis Grizzles, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets shouldn't be counted out, either.

Eleven teams battling for eight spots with one eventual goal. Buckle up, because that race will certainly be enthralling.

San Antonio reaching a third consecutive NBA Finals will be extremely difficult, but the ultimate matchup has the potential to be easier than the road the Spurs overcame to reach it.

Yeah, that's how good the West is.

A Healthy Tony Parker

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Parker is the driving force of the pick-and-roll offense, manipulating defenders and entering the lane to attack the rim or find an open teammate.

In years past, Parker missed a handful of games due to various injuries. This summer, however, the French point guard did not participate with his national team, so he should begin 2014-15 in peak condition.

"I feel fresh. I feel like I'm rested," Parker said, according to McDonald. "Hopefully, it helps."

Bleacher Report's Garrett Jochnau writes, "Once the playoffs come around, the entire game changes. The need for Parker to take a greater scoring workload rises, and the Spurs' overall reliance on their star spikes."

San Antonio is an extremely talented all-around team, but the team can't win a championship without its catalyst. The Spurs' chances to repeat would be severely hampered if Parker is, too.