Since 1999, the San Antonio Spurs have been the model of consistency.

The Gregg Popovich-led Spurs have won five NBA Championships, and made it to six NBA Finals appearances in that time period. This team is always contending to win it all, making the playoffs year in and year out. Despite early regular season struggles, the Spurs are currently the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a 55-26 record.

Tony Parker appears to be getting back into rhythm, Tim Duncan never disappoints, and Kawhi Leonard continues to build his legacy. But, that won't be enough to win it all this year. The West is absolutely stacked with elite teams and superstar players.

If the Spurs are going to win (for the first time in franchise history) back to back NBA titles, they need every bit of their Brazilian center, Tiago Splitter, to be a factor. Splitter is presently dealing with a calf injury, and this season hasn't gone as planned. Splitter has missed almost 30 games of play with injuries, and his rebounding output is the lowest since his rookie season.

Last season Splitter became the first, and only, Brazilian-born player to ever win an NBA Championship. Is Splitter the next Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? No, but his value can't be overlooked. Still just 30 years old, Splitter has the endurance, size, strength and elite defense needed for another title run. Popovich has described Splitter as a "blue collar guy" for the Spurs. Splitter doesn't put up great fantasy basketball statistics or flashy Sportscenter Top 10 plays, but he knows how to defend with his postseason experience.

One could make the argument that Duncan and Splitter are the best front court duo in the NBA when fully healthy. They're not quite the "Twin Towers" of David Robinson and Duncan, but they know how to get the job done.

The Golden State Warriors have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the West, so the best the Spurs can get is the second spot. The Spurs won the West each of the last two years with home-court advantage as the top seed, so this year will be more difficult. The Spurs' final game of the season will be played against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday on the road.

Splitter has been listed as "questionable" for that game.

If the Spurs can hold on to the No. 2 seed, they will play the No. 7 Dallas Mavericks in the very first round of the 2015 NBA playoffs. The Mavericks may be inconsistent, but they have one of the most talented rosters in the league highlighted with championship players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Rajon Rondo and Tyson Chandler. We must also remember that just last postseason the Mavericks and Spurs did battle in a seven-game series in the first round.

Splitter's presence will be needed more than ever for that potential series. Chandler is an excellent center and Nowitzki makes a living from mid range. Without Splitter on the floor, Nowitzki and Chandler will simply exploit the paint leaving Duncan with too much to handle.

The battle for Texas can't get any better.

Or, can it?

If the Spurs fall down to the No. 3 seed, behind the Los Angeles Clippers, they would face the Houston Rockets in the first round. Again, another team with a great big man. Dwight Howard is regarded as one of the best centers in today's game, so Splitter will be needed big time in that possible Texas series.

As the regular season comes to a close, and postseason draws near, the Spurs are suiting for a fifth championship run since 1999. Having said that, Splitter's play and health may very well be the deciding factor if the Spurs win it all or not.

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