duncan228
04-04-2009, 09:54 PM
When it comes to overall class, David Robinson is first (http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1299566.html)
By David Moore Special to the Star-Telegram
He won’t headline the Class of 2009 that the Basketball Hall of Fame will unveil Monday in Detroit.
That status requires you don’t land in the same class as Michael Jordan.
But then, David Robinson was never one to hog the spotlight. Other stars talk about putting aside their ego for the good of the team.
Robinson did it.
Others say it’s not about money.
Robinson proved it.
If it weren’t for David Robinson, there would be no San Antonio Spurs. I don’t mean that in the grandiose yet less than factual way you often hear on these occasions.
I mean if it weren’t for David Robinson, the Spurs would probably be located in Memphis or Sacramento.
The Spurs were ripe for relocation when they took Robinson with the first pick in the 1987 draft. The stakes were raised knowing he had a two-year Navy commitment to fulfill before he could join the franchise.
Robinson could have forced his way to a more stable franchise. He didn’t. He joined the Spurs for the 1989-90 season and transformed a 21-win team into a 56-win contender.
His arrival put the franchise on solid, South Texas ground.
"There is no question I had a bit of an impact on that," Robinson said. "I mean, there were people who wanted to keep it in San Antonio. But with the market, and even today, I mean, you’ve got to pull some funny strings to make sure you get the money in there. We don’t have the revenue sources that a lot of the larger cities do, and we have to work very hard to make the numbers work there.
"But yeah, I think I played a role in that. I’m proud to be a part of that history in San Antonio and to take it to the next level."
The next level brought championships. Four of them.
Now, I know what the more jaded among you are thinking. Robinson was only around for the first two titles, and the Spurs wouldn’t have won those without Tim Duncan.
True. But how many championship teams have been blown apart before realizing their potential because of egos?
Duncan’s arrival didn’t spark jealousy in Robinson. He understood the rookie was special and embraced him.
The partnership worked because Robinson and Duncan cared about the team more than themselves or their place in the pecking order. It worked because Robinson, the elder with more stature to lose, willingly gave his up to set the tone.
"It was a no-brainer," Robinson said. "As good as Tim was ...
"It wasn’t really a lessening of importance. They still looked to me for leadership and things like that, but Tim was a phenomenal scorer and a great presence in the paint. Why would you not want a great scorer to do his job?"
Need more? There are the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards to go along with his gold medal. There are the scoring, rebounding and blocked-shot titles he won. Robinson has already been recognized as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
He’s not Michael Jordan.
But he’s not bad.
"I have this wonderful memory behind me," Robinson said shortly after he was named a finalist. "Now, the opportunity to be recognized as a Hall of Famer, that’s the cherry on top.
"It’s fantastic."
By David Moore Special to the Star-Telegram
He won’t headline the Class of 2009 that the Basketball Hall of Fame will unveil Monday in Detroit.
That status requires you don’t land in the same class as Michael Jordan.
But then, David Robinson was never one to hog the spotlight. Other stars talk about putting aside their ego for the good of the team.
Robinson did it.
Others say it’s not about money.
Robinson proved it.
If it weren’t for David Robinson, there would be no San Antonio Spurs. I don’t mean that in the grandiose yet less than factual way you often hear on these occasions.
I mean if it weren’t for David Robinson, the Spurs would probably be located in Memphis or Sacramento.
The Spurs were ripe for relocation when they took Robinson with the first pick in the 1987 draft. The stakes were raised knowing he had a two-year Navy commitment to fulfill before he could join the franchise.
Robinson could have forced his way to a more stable franchise. He didn’t. He joined the Spurs for the 1989-90 season and transformed a 21-win team into a 56-win contender.
His arrival put the franchise on solid, South Texas ground.
"There is no question I had a bit of an impact on that," Robinson said. "I mean, there were people who wanted to keep it in San Antonio. But with the market, and even today, I mean, you’ve got to pull some funny strings to make sure you get the money in there. We don’t have the revenue sources that a lot of the larger cities do, and we have to work very hard to make the numbers work there.
"But yeah, I think I played a role in that. I’m proud to be a part of that history in San Antonio and to take it to the next level."
The next level brought championships. Four of them.
Now, I know what the more jaded among you are thinking. Robinson was only around for the first two titles, and the Spurs wouldn’t have won those without Tim Duncan.
True. But how many championship teams have been blown apart before realizing their potential because of egos?
Duncan’s arrival didn’t spark jealousy in Robinson. He understood the rookie was special and embraced him.
The partnership worked because Robinson and Duncan cared about the team more than themselves or their place in the pecking order. It worked because Robinson, the elder with more stature to lose, willingly gave his up to set the tone.
"It was a no-brainer," Robinson said. "As good as Tim was ...
"It wasn’t really a lessening of importance. They still looked to me for leadership and things like that, but Tim was a phenomenal scorer and a great presence in the paint. Why would you not want a great scorer to do his job?"
Need more? There are the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards to go along with his gold medal. There are the scoring, rebounding and blocked-shot titles he won. Robinson has already been recognized as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
He’s not Michael Jordan.
But he’s not bad.
"I have this wonderful memory behind me," Robinson said shortly after he was named a finalist. "Now, the opportunity to be recognized as a Hall of Famer, that’s the cherry on top.
"It’s fantastic."