Classic Flashback: Dave vs Clippers April 4th, 1994

[maxpower]

With the recent high point output of a one time arch-nemesis, I began thinking about Dave's high point game. I was wondering where one can find the box score for that game?

While in my minimal quest I came across an nba.com vid tribute page for David.
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/david_robinson_videos.html

requires realplayer :pctoss. If you hate the crap real player puts in your pc here is an alternative http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm

[themvp]

Great player, great memories! :fro

[alamo50]

Thanks for the post Max!
Never seen that much footage of David's 71 points before!
Appreciate it very much.

[FromWayDowntown]

Here's a link to the boxscore:

Spurs 112, Clippers 97, 4/24/94 (http://www.basketballreference.com/teams/boxscore.htm?yr=1993&b=19940424&tm=LAC)

[maxpower]

Thanks for the post Max!
Never seen that much footage of David's 71 points before!
Appreciate it very much.
The one thought I had while looking at the page was ...if anyone new every word/image/sound on that page it would be alamo50. :smokin


Thanks for the link FWD

[maxpower]

Tibbits.
Dave still had 5 assists.
No one else on the Spurs had double figures.
Terry Cummings took too many shots.
Dave shot 71% from the free throw line(18 of 25)..edit..listening to radio and it was mentioned kobe shot 21or22 of 25 from the line
Negele Knight was wearing #32.

[Spurminator]

He played 44 minutes in the last game of the season before Playoffs.

Can you imagine if he had gotten injured with 5 minutes left in the game?

[Taco]

I remember hearing that game on the radio clippers fans cheered louder and louder with every point

[FromWayDowntown]

He played 44 minutes in the last game of the season before Playoffs.

Can you imagine if he had gotten injured with 5 minutes left in the game?

He was only playing to score points. David needed the points to hold off Shaq and win the scoring title and Lucas just kept feeding him and feeding him -- and taunting George Gervin who was then an assistant and held the Spurs franchise record until that day.

Shawn Michaels and his gang would have loved John Lucas.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

It's a real shame that game wasn't on TV. The Clippers have never been a premier franchise or or one of those games you circle on the calendar but they had just come off a couple of good years with Larry Brown at the helm. You think something could have been done considering the circumstances (chase for the scoring title versus Shaq who punked out of the challenge) but I don't think even David thought he'd go off for 71.

[FromWayDowntown]

It's a real shame that game wasn't on TV. The Clippers have never been a premier franchise or or one of those games you circle on the calendar but they had just come off a couple of good years with Larry Brown at the helm. You think something could have been done considering the circumstances (chase for the scoring title versus Shaq who punked out of the challenge) but I don't think even David thought he'd go off for 71.

We all know a world where virtually every game is televised. Back in 1994, not even all playoff games were nationally broadcast -- you couldn't just go home and plop down to watch every game every night because many first and second round games were broadcast only to local markets. I can't say it for a fact, but I think the first time that all NBA playoff games were made available on national TV was 1999 (it may have been 1998), but when it happened, it was announced as a big deal. I know it hadn't happened in 1996, because I was living in Lubbock and couldn't see Game 2 (I think) of the Spurs/Jazz series that year.

Given that playoff games weren't broadcast nationally, it's not surprising that many Spurs regular season games weren't available except by pay-per-view. And, as we've seen with the 71 point game, there were some that weren't even available by that means. (I wonder sometimes, too, about video of David's quadruple-double -- I'd actually be more interested in seeing that game than the 71 -- I remember living in SA when that happened, but having to listen to that game on the radio and feeling frustrated that I couldn't see that performance). I vividly recall having to find a place to watch a game in the 94-95 season between the Spurs and Magic (Rodman/Robinson vs. O'Neal/Hardaway) because there was no local or national television broadcast other than PPV. Once that schedule was set, there was no turning back, I think.

[ZStomp]

damn..dave was an atheletic monster!

[sanman53]

Wow, this brought a tear to my eye! I still think he is the best center ever! He's the best! Thanks for the post!

[Brutalis]

Great videos. Glad I got to see them.

David truely defined how good a center could be if he was fast, agressive and atheltic.

[Useruser666]

I would pay a great deal for a video of that game. It was recorded on tape but I have no idea if that tape was ever broadcast other than the short clips. HEAR ME SPURSTALK NATION!!!! FIND A COPY OF THIS VIDEO!!!!

[FromWayDowntown]

That and the quadruple-double, please.

[E20]

Check Ebay.

Kori works with WOAI, so they might have a copy of the game.

[Budkin]

Man I really miss DROB. I wish he could have just played a couple more years. Can't beat the way he went out though. Going out with the title was the best ending to an NBA career ever! Memories...

[Notorious H.O.P.]

That and the quadruple-double, please.

I remember there was a controversy over David's quadruple-double. Apparently David had nine assists until the Spurs statistician "found" an uncredited assist and bumped him to ten. All I can say about that is "SCREW THEM!!!" David was the man and without him, we may have lost the Spurs to another city.

Interesting that only four quadruple doubles have been recording in NBA history (they didn't count rebounds and blocks as stats for a while) and two of them by Spurs (Alvin Robertson, if you're not in jail again, please step up to accept your congratulations).

[Obstructed_View]

He played 44 minutes in the last game of the season before Playoffs.

Can you imagine if he had gotten injured with 5 minutes left in the game?
He was too tired to win a championship. Is that close enough?

[E20]

I remember there was a controversy over David's quadruple-double. Apparently David had nine assists until the Spurs statistician "found" an uncredited assist and bumped him to ten. All I can say about that is "SCREW THEM!!!" David was the man and without him, we may have lost the Spurs to another city.

Interesting that only four quadruple doubles have been recording in NBA history (they didn't count rebounds and blocks as stats for a while) and two of them by Spurs (Alvin Robertson, if you're not in jail again, please step up to accept your congratulations).
Didn't Gervin get a quadruple double aswell?

[alamo50]

Check Ebay.

Never seen it up for auction and trust me if I haven't seen it, it realy isn't there.



Didn't Gervin get a quadruple double aswell?

No.

[ZStomp]

I would pay a great deal for a video of that game. It was recorded on tape but I have no idea if that tape was ever broadcast other than the short clips. HEAR ME SPURSTALK NATION!!!! FIND A COPY OF THIS VIDEO!!!!


Ditto. I've checked online and ebay...nothing.

[TheTruth]

Cummings,Terry F 22 2-10 1- 2 0- 0 6-12 2 0 0 1 0 5
Rodman,Dennis F 36 4- 5 0- 0 0- 0 3-17 3 1 1 2 1 8
Robinson,David C 44 26-41 18-25 1- 2 4-14 5 0 2 8 2 71
Del Negro,Vinny G 26 1- 3 0- 0 0- 0 0- 2 6 4 0 2 2 2
Daniels,Lloyd G 25 2- 7 0- 0 0- 2 0- 2 1 2 1 3 2 4
Knight,Negele 24 3- 6 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 5 0 1 0 2 6
Floyd,Sleepy 23 1- 5 1- 4 1- 2 1- 5 6 0 0 4 3 4
Carr,Antoine 24 2- 2 0- 0 0- 0 0- 1 0 1 0 0 1 4
Reid,J.R. 12 2- 6 2- 2 0- 0 3- 4 0 0 0 1 2 6
Haley,Jack 4 1- 2 0- 0 0- 0 0- 1 0 0 0 0 2 2
TOTALS 240 44-87 22-33 2- 6 17-58 28 8 5 21 17 112

David ever leading a team like this into the playoffs with a high seeding is the truest testament to his utter greatness.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Didn't Gervin get a quadruple double aswell?

Gervin wasn't really the type of guy to concern himself too with assists, blocks and steals. For his career, he averaged less than three assists, less than a block and a little over one steal a game.


I would pay a great deal for a video of that game. It was recorded on tape but I have no idea if that tape was ever broadcast other than the short clips.

Neither the Spurs nor the Clippers taped this game which is why it was never broadcast. If you pay attention to the clips, they are all shot from the same seat, either on the first couple of rows or from someone sitting with the press cameramen. If the fan/media guy managed to get the entire game taped, you could probably match it with the radio call to get a crude broadcastable tape but if you pay even more attention to the tape, all of the clips are from the second half. Technically these are the most usable shots since the cameraman is on this part of the court, but it may also be that someone from the local media decided to get some extra footage instead of simple postgame interviews because of what was happening.

A fan might capture most of the game assuming his camera battery/batteries allowed him to. Media most likely would begin to capture highlights as something started to develop and extra footage if something special started to develop. I can't say for certain but it is unlikely a full tape of the game exists.

[ambchang]

David ever leading a team like this into the playoffs with a high seeding is the truest testament to his utter greatness.
So true, I mean, there is no one in that group other than Rodman that is starter material.
BTW, as great as the 71 point game is, I always looked at it as one of the rare time Big Dave went out to get personal accomplishments. Granted, it was a Lucas thing (he changed the whole Spurs offense so that Dave can score more), but it was still a game I do not quite appreciate as much.
On the other hand, the quadruple double game was phenomenal, oh, and that season where Robinson, by himself, outblocked like 12 teams in the league, the year he won DPoY.

[bigbendbruisebrother]

I think Kori has mentioned previously that no copy of that game is known to exist.

[ZStomp]

I once met a guy in the 'other' forum and he said he had copy of it (He was from Austin) and that he would get back to me when he found it......I'm still waiting. His uncle lived in LA and they showed the game in LA..his uncle recorded it...too bad the internet wasn't around..:lol

[Notorious H.O.P.]

I once met a guy in the 'other' forum and he said he had copy of it (He was from Austin) and that he would get back to me when he found it......I'm still waiting. His uncle lived in LA and they showed the game in LA..his uncle recorded it...too bad the internet wasn't around..:lol

The guy was talking out his ass. They didn't show the game in LA. And of course the internet was around but it wasn't the fun bag of illegal goodies that it is now. But even if it was, the internet feeds have to come from some broadcast and there wasn't one. We just have to settle with the idea that one of the best games in individual Spurs history will never be seen by any of us. But it was still great even listening to it on the radio.

[ZStomp]

There has to be....some kind of video of it.....the teams like to watch video ...study video....if only NBA sold them...

[Notorious H.O.P.]

There has to be....some kind of video of it.....the teams like to watch video ...study video....if only NBA sold them...

I thought about that also. But being the last game of the regular season and the last game of the Clippers season, maybe the Clips didn't bother taping it. The Spurs were going to need to prepare using game tape of their upcoming opponents in the playoffs so tape of the Clips game wasn't going to do them any good either.

I would think that if the NBA had access to other sources of tapes, they would have made it into the tribute video. We can always dream that a full game tape will eventually surface but for now it is just that. A dream.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I remember there was a controversy over David's quadruple-double. Apparently David had nine assists until the Spurs statistician "found" an uncredited assist and bumped him to ten.

This isn't true. I was at David's quad game, and you could follow the player stats up on the Jumbotron during commercial breaks. I remember at the end of the third quarter he only needed like 2 assists and 2 blocks or something like that, and my dad and I were paying more attention to what he needed for the quad than the game itself :lol

He got the assists part taken care of, and then it was just down to getting in that final block...

Block #10: Lindsay Hunter on a drive into the lane :hat

[Notorious H.O.P.]

This is a little (ok, very) long but since we're celebrating one of David's big accomplishments, I thought a little bit of catch up with David's career may be in order.

This is one of the more complete roundups of David's career that I have seen and thought it would be good to share.

Recap of David's Career (http://sportsstars.yaia.com/basketball4.html)

David Robinson

Full Name: David Maurice Robinson
Born: 8/6/65 in Key West, Fla.
College: Navy
High School: Osbourn Park
(Manassas, Va.)
Drafted: San Antonio Spurs (1987)
Nickname: The Admiral
Height: 7-1
Weight: 250 lbs.
Honors: NBA champion (1999, 2003); MVP (1995); Defensive Player of the Year (1992); Rookie of the Year (1990); All-NBA First Team (1991, '92, '95, '96); All-NBA Second Team (1994, '98); All-NBA Third Team (1990, '93, 2000, '01); All-Defensive First Team (1991, '92, '95, '96); All-Defensive Second Team (1990, '93, '94, '98); 10-time NBA All-Star; NBA Sportsmanship Award (2001); Three-time Olympian (1988, '92, '96); One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

One of the top centers of his era, if not of all time, David “The Admiral” Robinson was a marvel of a basketball player and a respected figure off the court. A lean, muscular, 7-1 athlete, he was fast, strong and agile. In his first six NBA seasons he won Rookie of the Year, NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards, in addition to a rebounding title, a scoring crown, six All-Star bids, three selections to the All-NBA First Team and three selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

A contemporary of Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing, Robinson posted career averages of 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game and won two championships -- the second one in his final season -- to stake his claim as one of the legends of the NBA.

Robinson's lasting legacy was also defined by his status one of the pre-eminent philanthropists in all of professional sports. On March 23, 2003, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that future winners of the NBA Community Assist Award would receive the David Robinson Plaque, with the inscription, "Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece."

Among Robinson's charitable achievements was his $9 million commitment toward the construction and operation of The Carver Academy, an independent school for San Antonio students from a culturally diverse community.

Teammate Steve Kerr said Robinson was quick to remind the Spurs that "winning a championship doesn't make you a better person. It doesn't validate you." But championships were part of Robinson's journey through the NBA, his first one coming in his 10th year, during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, with a convincing five-game NBA Finals win over the New York Knicks.

By that time, he had become the Spurs' second option due to the rise of the phenomenal forward Tim Duncan. In their first season together in 1997-98, Robinson and Duncan shared the load equally as the elder player posted 21.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.63 blocks per game while the young star from Wake Forest had similar numbers of 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.51 blocks per game.

In their second campaign together, Robinson unselfishly redefined his game to accentuate the skills and strengths of Duncan. Robinson began to play away from the basket at the high post, allowing Duncan the freedom to maneuver down low. Robinson's regular season production slipped to 15.8 ppg and 10 rpg, but the team prospered and he was still an integral part of the Spurs' championship effort.

At the end of a long and distinguished career, Robinson won his second ring in 2002-03. That season, the Spurs tied division rival Dallas for the league's best record (62-20). In the playoffs, San Antonio stopped Phoenix, the three-time reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers and the Mavericks while on the way to a matchup against the New Jersey Nets in NBA Finals 2003.

The Spurs clinched the championship in Game 6 by ralling from a fourth-quarter deficit to take a thrilling 88-77 victory over the Nets in San Antonio. Robinson, less than two months shy of his 38th birthday, reached back for a dominant effort, finishing with 13 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks. Robinson and Duncan teamed up to outrebound New Jersey by themselves as the Spurs enjoyed a 55-35 advantage on the boards.

"My last game, streamers flying, world champions. How could you write a better script than this?" Robinson asked.

"I'm just thrilled that David ended his career with a game like that," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His effort was really wonderful. He really dug down deep and showed how important it was to him to help us get this victory."

"For a second there on the court," Duncan said, "I really thought, 'You know what, I'm not gonna play with this guy again. I'll have to come out on this court without him.' It's going to be weird."

Robinson is living proof of the old adage that good things come to those who wait. A 1987 graduate with a mathematics degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, Robinson honored a commitment to serve two years in the Navy before joining the NBA.

He was the best thing that ever happened to Navy basketball. A 6-4 player with one year of prep experience when he joined the team, he averaged 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds as a freshman, but he grew seven inches while at the Academy and became a devastating force.

As a junior, he averaged 22.7 points (down from 23.6 as a sophomore), led the nation in rebounding (13.0 rpg) and set an NCAA Division I record by averaging 5.91 blocks. He blocked 14 shots in a single game that season to set a collegiate record and he tallied more blocks in a season (207) than any player up to that point in the history of college basketball.

As a senior, he averaged 28.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.50 blocks to win unanimous selection as Player of the Year. He scored 50 points in his college finale, a loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament. He also played on the 1988 U.S. Olympic basketball team that won the bronze medal as the last purely amateur team to represent the U.S. in Olympic competition.

The only question facing San Antonio Spurs management in 1987 was whether they would be able to get to sleep every night for two years while awaiting Robinson's arrival. Robinson was certainly the best player available in the 1987 NBA Draft, but he also had a military commitment to the Navy and thus would not be able to join an NBA team until 1989.

The Spurs, who won the 1987 NBA Draft Lottery and owned the first overall pick, looked at Robinson’s college accomplishments and decided he was worth the wait.

According to plan, Robinson entered the NBA as a 24-year-old rookie with the Spurs in 1989-90. One of the most gifted and versatile athletes in the NBA, the former Navy midshipmen was the NBA Rookie of the Month all six months of the season, an All-Star at midyear and then an easy choice for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award at season’s end.

He averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.89 blocks, shooting .531 from the floor. He set Spurs rookie records in nearly every category, leading the team in scoring 46 times and in rebounding 61 times. One of only two Spurs to play in all 82 games, Robinson ranked 10th in the league in scoring, second in rebounding and third in blocked shots. He had a career-high 12 blocks against the Minnesota Timberwolves and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team at season’s end.

Robinson’s success as a rookie was a major factor in the then-greatest one-year team turnaround in NBA history. After the Spurs posted a 21-61 record in 1988-89, they drafted Sean Elliott, traded for Terry Cummings and Rod Strickland and welcomed Robinson. The result was a remarkable 35-game improvement to a 56-26 record and the Midwest Division title. San Antonio then advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals before losing in seven games to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Admiral had a spectacular postseason as he averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots in 10 playoff games.

Within his first three seasons, Robinson established himself among the best in the league. His early achievements included All-NBA First Team selections in 1991 and 1992, NBA All-Defensive First Team berths in 1991 and the 1992 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

But the ending to Robinson’s third NBA season was disappointing. A torn ligament in his left hand sidelined him on March 16. The injury forced him to miss the rest of the regular season and the entire postseason. Without Robinson the Spurs struggled, posting a 5-9 record to end the regular season and then suffering a first-round playoff sweep by the Phoenix Suns.

However, he joined elite company by becoming the third player in NBA history to rank among the league’s top 10 in five categories, joining Cliff Hagan (1959-60) and Larry Bird (1985-86). Robinson was seventh in scoring (23.2 ppg), fourth in rebounding (12.2 rpg), first in blocks (4.49 per game), fifth in steals (2.32 per game) and seventh in field-goal percentage (.551).

Robinson also was the first player in NBA history to rank among the top five in rebounding, blocks and steals in a single season. His excellence earned him a second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection and his third straight NBA All-Star berth. The end to that season was highlighted with his selection as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

After the season, Robinson traveled to Barcelona with the Dream Team, a spectacular collection of NBA stars including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Bird that would go on to win the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.

Robinson was a workhorse for the Spurs in his fourth NBA season. He appeared in all 82 games and played a then franchise-record 3,211 minutes. After averaging 23.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.22 blocks and 1.55 steals, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He was voted to start for the Western Conference All-Stars for the third straight season and he scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the game.

The Spurs had the misfortune of meeting the NBA’s winningest team, the Phoenix Suns, in the Western Conference Semifinals. Phoenix, led by league MVP Charles Barkley, eliminated San Antonio in six games, though Robinson averaged 23.1 points and 12.6 rebounds in the postseason.

Robinson's game was at its best in the open court. He ran the floor like no 7-footer before as he could grab a defensive board to ignite a fast break and finish with an authoritative slam. And in the half-court offense, he had a soft left-handed jumper. Already recognized as one of the league's better players, the best was yet to come in 1993-94 and beyond.

With the arrival of the NBA’s designated rebounder, Dennis Rodman, taking some of the frontcourt load off his shoulders, Robinson enjoyed his highest scoring (29.8) and assist average (4.8) as a pro in 1993-94. That season, Robinson became the fourth player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double. Against the Detroit Pistons in a 115-96 victory, he had 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocked shots.

Robinson carried San Antonio to a 55-27 record, the team’s fifth consecutive season of at least 47 victories. However, the Spurs lost to the Utah Jazz in the opening round of the postseason in four games. Robinson averaged 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in the series.

He also made history with his 71-point explosion against the Los Angeles Clippers on the last day of the season to win the NBA scoring title at 29.8 ppg edging Orlando Magic center Shaquille O’Neal (29.3 ppg). That romp made Robinson just the fourth player ever to score 70 points in an NBA game, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and David Thompson.

He also finished that season as a the NBA MVP runner-up to Olajuwon.

The next year, 1994-95, Robinson had another great season. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and posted numbers of 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.23 blocks and 1.65 steals per game while pacing the Spurs to the NBA’s best record at 62-20. And at midseason he played in his sixth consecutive All-Star Game.

As the No. 1 seed, the Spurs swept Denver in three straight games and then got past the Lakers in six games to meet the defending champion Rockets in the conference finals. However, Robinson’s selection as MVP seemed to motivate Olajuwon, the past season’s MVP, as Olajuwon got the better of Robinson in the clash. In the series, Robinson averaged 23.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.17 blocks while Olajuwon averaged 35.3 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.17 blocks and the Rockets won in six games.

Following the season, Robinson played for 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, which won a gold medal at the Summer Games in Atlanta.

The next season, while at the peak of his game, Robinson would suffer the darkest moments of his career. However, it laid the foundation for the remainder of his days in the NBA and the future of the franchise.

Robinson suffered a back injury prior to the 1996-97 season and returned to play in six games before suffering a fractued left foot. The Spurs slumped to 20-62, but the silver lining for the Silver and Black was a chance to grab the No. 1 selection in the 1997 Draft Lottery.

The prize that draft was Tim Duncan. The Spurs won the right to draft Duncan and the San Antonio version of the Twin Tower would win two rings over the next five seasons.

Robinson and Duncan played exceptionally well together in their first season and the team achieved a 36-game win improvement, which surpassed the Spurs' previously greatest NBA turnaround in the 1989-90 season by one game. Robinson led the team in scoring with 21.6 ppg and Duncan in rebounding with 11.9 rpg and the two each recorded more than 2.5 blocks per game. However, the team lost to the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals.

In their second season as teammates, the Robinson- and Duncan-led Spurs put it all together. They finished atop the Midwest Division and, along with the Jazz, held the league's best record of 37-12 in the shortened season. For the second consecutive season the Spurs also set an NBA record for lowest opponent field goal percentage, bettering the previous season's mark of .411 to .402.

The Spurs raced through the playoffs, losing only twice and recorded an NBA record of 12 consecutive wins at one point while becoming the first former American Basketball Association team to win an NBA championship. The Spurs defeated the Knicks, who lost Ewing to an Achilles tendon injury in the Eastern Conference Finals. Robinson tallied 25 points to lead the Spurs in scoring in a Game 3 defeat, 89-81, the sole Spurs' loss in the Finals. He also grabbed 12 boards in the series-clinching victory in Game 5.

Over the next three seasons, the Lakers, led by O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, would reign as champs. Although Robinson played in at least 78 regular season games per season during that span, he would miss valuable time in the postseason because of back ailments or other injuries. Duncan also missed the entire 2000 postseason due to injury as the Suns defeated the Spurs in the first round. And in 2001 and 2002, the Lakers would handle the Spurs relatively easily, sweeping them in the 2001 Western Conference Finals and needing just five games in the 2002 Conference Semifinals.

Robinson's final season, however, was full of rewards as the Spurs defeated their nemesis, the three-time defending champion Lakers, en route to the NBA title. During that Western Conference Semifinals matchup against Los Angeles, the Spurs held onto win a crucial Game 5, 96-94, when Robert Horry's three-point shot rimmed out and Robinson snared the rebound. That shot, if good, would have capped a 25-point comeback victory and may have derailed the Spurs' championship hopes. San Antonio, however, went into Los Angeles and won Game 6 and the series.

The Spurs then went on to to defeat the fast-paced Mavericks in six games before taking care of the Nets. In the six-game Finals series, he posted 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.83 blocks and 1.17 steals per game.

"One of the greats we get a chance to say goodbye to, tonight, David Robinson, " NBA Commissioner David Stern said at the start of the trophy presentation. "Thank you."