Top five players of the 2013 NBA Playoffs

Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs (Getty Images)

2. Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs

This is how the playoffs panned out for the Spurs: if Tony Parker shot 50% from the field which happened quite often, the Spurs ran out winners. If he failed to come close to that, the Spurs struggled incredibly – quite so much that it was the reason the Heat beat them in the NBA Finals.

Every team playing the Spurs had one thing set in stone; guard Parker efficiently and the Spurs were beatable. If not, it was a battering – so much that even the likes of LeBron James, faltered to prevent the tide switching San Antonio’s way.

Parker was such a nuisance for his opposition that coaches had to device different strategies each game. He even brought out the best from the rest of the Spurs’ roster including the aging Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. His shot making decisions in the playoffs were noteworthy and he showed us that he is a primo point guard on defence as well.

It was evident that Parker is not the most lucrative stealer or physical force in the game but Parker does what he does best – make the most out of his balanced team and work that into his strength. For that, Parker definitely deserves to be reckoned as one of the league’s best point guards, if not arguing to being the best.