Before the selection of Tony Parker in the 2001 NBA Draft as the 28th over all pick, the Spurs have won the 1999 NBA championship by beating the New York Knicks 4-1 in the series. The Spurs are then powered by the Twin Towers of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. The team then considered Robinson as their leader. Tim Duncan was just drafted as the number 1 pick of the 1997 NBA Draft and he is learning from Robinson. Just 2 years old in the league, under the watchful eye of Popovich and leadership of Robinson, Duncan is already dominating the NBA thanks to his defensive prowess and post moves. David Robinson mentored Tim Duncan to become one of the greatest NBA player of all time. As the years goes by and by playing together, Robinson is slowly handing the keys of the Spurs leadership to Tim Duncan.

The Twin Towers again won the 2003 NBA championships by beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the series. This is the last championship of the Twin Towers playing together. David Robinson announced his retirement and he retired as a champion. Before the retirement of Robinson, Duncan was ready to receive the keys of the Spurs leadership to Robinson. Robinson retired knowing that Duncan will someday lead the Spurs to another championship. The team was then considered to be Duncan's team and 2 years later after the retirement of the Admiral, Duncan won another championship. At the 2005 NBA Finals, Tim Duncan again led the Spurs to the 2007 NBA championships thanks to a great supporting cast. Like other NBA greats who played the game, Duncan needed a sidekick as Scottie Pippen is to Michael Jordan. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker was there for him as his Scottie Pippen.

In his 10 seasons in the NBA, the great Tim Duncan was already a 4 time NBA Champion and won multiple MVP awards and All Star appearances. And like other heroes of the NBA, age is fast catching up with Duncan. He failed to led the Spurs to another championship despite playing in an All Star level. An aging Duncan needs somebody 's help to lead the team. The name Tony Parker was already mentioned to be the next leader. And during the 2011-12 season, the Spurs were called Tony Parker's team. Parker took over as he called the Spurs his team now. But alas, the Spurs look to the great Tim Duncan as their leader. How can you call a team your own if you are not the leader?

Ok, the Spurs now is Tony's team and they are wishing that he will lead them to another championship like Robinson and Duncan lead the Spurs to championships. But the question is this, how can you lead your team to a championship if prior to your assumption as the leader of the Spurs you mentioned that "we will always have a good team but can no longer say we're playing for a championship" Parker later backed off those comment but the damage was already done. Tim Duncan never said like that when Robinson was growing old.

Maybe Parker can lead the Spurs to another championship. He played like an MVP last season. He is great. In this era where attacking point guards are needed for a team to compete in the championship, Parker fits the bill. I am hoping that Parker has the leadership ability that Robinson and Duncan possess. No doubt, the Spurs are always a championship caliber team. But the question lingers, can Parker lead San Antonio to another championship? How nice to see another Spurs great retire in the sport as an NBA champion knowing that he will leave the Spurs in good hands. After all, I am hoping that we can win another ring as a tribute to a departing legend.