Out to prove a point: the matchup between Tony Parker and Gary Payton will decide the Spurs-Lakers series--and give each player a chance to make a statement about his future.(NBA Playoffs)

Two years ago, 19-year-old Tony Parker broke through. The Spurs were playing the Sonics at Key Arena in the third game of the 2002 playoffs' opening round, and the rookie Frenchman was having the game of his life. He had scored 13 points in the first quarter to lift the Spurs out of a 9-point deficit and proceeded to lead San Antonio to a 27-point rout of Seattle. In the fourth quarter, Parker made a dazzling move, penetrating the lane and stopping, with Seattle star Gary Payton defending. Parker faked one way, flaunting the ball so close to Payton that Payton got a whiff of leather. Parker forced Payton to bite on the fake, then spun back toward the basket for an easy ...