Hoops Habit
Fansided

The Biggest X-Factor On Every NBA Playoff Team

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) drives in between New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) drives in between New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) shoots the ball as Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (L) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker

Tony Parker really hasn’t been himself this season. He missed all but five games in December, when the Spurs posted their only losing month of the season. In March, Parker had his best month of the season, averaging 18.2 points and 5.3 assists per game, and to nobody’s surprise, the Spurs went 12-3 that month.

Kawhi Leonard‘s development this season and Tim Duncan‘s consistency has kept this team afloat, but San Antonio got a pretty unfortunate first round draw in the Los Angeles Clippers, quite possibly the only team that’s been just as hot over the last two months (other than the Warriors, obviously).

That means that Parker needs to snap out of his 2014-15 funk and go back to being the clutch, championship-caliber point guard who always seems to step up around this time of year. Against Chris Paul‘s stifling defense, Parker will face an immediate challenge and the Spurs will need him to be at his best without home-court advantage.

San Antonio finished the season 18-23 on the road this season, so even though Staples Center hasn’t been that rocking this season, the Spurs need T.P. to go back to that guy they saw in March. This is already Kawhi’s team, but the Spurs won’t make it out of the West without Parker playing some of his best basketball.

Next: Washington Wizards