Spot Number 13 - Top 50 Spurs

[timvp]

SpursTalk's Top 50 Spurs
1. Tim Duncan
2. David Robinson
3. George Gervin
4. Gregg Popovich
5. Angelo Drossos
6. Manu Ginobili
7. Tony Parker
8. Sean Elliott
9. James Silas
10. Bruce Bowen
11. Larry Kenon
12. Avery Johnson

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To pass the time until the start of preseason, let's see how SpursTalk.com ranks the Top 50 Spurs. Those eligible for the list include all players, coaches and owners. I don't want to define "top" too narrowly, but I think the best way to do it would be to think of the list as a list of the 50 most influential people who have helped make the Spurs one of the most successful franchises in the history of sport.

For more information on what we are doing, check out this thread.

In this thread, we will vote for spot number 13. Please place your vote. If you will, also explain in this thread why you voted how you did.

Thanks.



P.S.

Poll options listed in alphabetical order. If you want to vote for someone not on the list, post in the thread and I'll add the person.

Voting will end 2AM CST Friday morning.

Please vote only once.

[J.T.]

This seems like a good opportunity to vote for Malik Rose.

[timvp]

I personally think this one should be between:

Alvin Robertson
Three-time All-Star for the Spurs. Won the Defensive Player of the Year and the Most Improved Player awards while with the Spurs. Four times on an All-Defensive team and also made the All-NBA second team. All-time leader in NBA history in steals per game. Set the record for most steals in a season (301) while with the Spurs.

Artis Gilmore
Played five season with the Spurs. Averaged 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over those five seasons. Shot 62.1% from the field while with the Spurs. Two-time NBA All-Star with the Spurs.

Bob Bass
Was the GM of the Spurs from 1974-75 to 1993-94. Filled in as interim coach four different times. Did a very good job of helping the Spurs remain a winning franchise while being given limited funds by the owners he worked for. In his 19 seasons as GM, the Spurs were a combined 894-750. The Spurs were at or above .500 in 14 out of the 19 years he was GM. As a coach, his all-time record was 143-108 (5th most coaching wins in franchise history, 6th best winning percentage in franchise history).

Mike Mitc
Played for the Spurs for parts of seven seasons. Averaged 20+ points four of those seasons. Averaged 20.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while with the Spurs. Fifth All-Time in franchise history in points scored behind Gervin, Robinson, Duncan and Silas. Fourth All-Time in franchise history if field goals made behind Gervin, Robinson and Duncan.

Peter Holt
The owner during all four championship runs. Helped get the SBC Center built which allowed the Spurs to stay in San Antonio. Has been a hands-off owner and let the basketball people handle basketball business. Has paid luxury tax money at various times. Helped pass the current CBA which is very friendly toward small market teams.

RC Buford
Has been Pop's right-hand man behind the scenes since 1994. Buford was also an assistant coach under Larry Brown. Has been the general manager during the last three championships. He was the main scout responsible for Manu Ginobili. Also helped convince Pop to draft Tony Parker. Has avoided bad contracts and has targeted veteran role players who fit into the culture of the team.

[timvp]

The three I think I like the most right now are Robertson, Bass and Holt. Not sure on who I'm going with yet, though.

[Brutalis]

Robertson. Same as last vote.

[timvp]

Johnny Moore should have been on my list probably. He's the only remaining player not on the list to have his number retired by the Spurs. That has to be considered a big plus in his favor.

[djohn14]

Oberto...really? Id rather see Devin Brown here rather than Oberto lol. Ill probably say Robinson as well.

[urunobili]

no love for RC, Bud or Presti yet?

[SenorSpur]

Robertson. Same as last vote.

I don't need to lobby for this guy anymore. In fact, position 13 is way too low for him.

[FromWayDowntown]

Robertson also gives the Spurs a unique distinction: 2 of the 4 players to record quadruple-doubles in NBA games did so in a Spurs uniform -- David Robinson and Alvin Robertson.

[MajorMike]

Dah-nee-feh-ree
Dah-nee-feh-ree
Dah-nee-feh-ree

[baseline bum]

Definitely Alvin

[Whisky Dog]

Johnny Moore should have been on my list probably. He's the only remaining player not on the list to have his number retired by the Spurs. That has to be considered a big plus in his favor.

The Spurs have one of the all time great distinctions in all of sports history.

At one time they had a team that was pretty much comprised of all black men except for one man, one lone white man...

And his name was Del Negro. It doesn't get any better than that. That has to be a big plus in his favor.

[baseline bum]

The Spurs have one of the all time great distinctions in all of sports history.

At one time they had a team that was pretty much comprised of all black men except for one man, one lone white man...

And his name was Del Negro. It doesn't get any better than that. That has to be a big plus in his favor.

The fallacy of your argument was that Del Negro was never a man.

[SenorSpur]

The Spurs have one of the all time great distinctions in all of sports history.

At one time they had a team that was pretty much comprised of all black men except for one man, one lone white man...

And his name was Del Negro. It doesn't get any better than that. That has to be a big plus in his favor.

...and Del Negro had no business being on the team. He was deemed the replacement for Rod Strickland, who had fallen out of favor with management. One of the absolute worst trades in Spurs history. Rod should've remained with the Spurs for many years.

[Whisky Dog]

touche...

He was never worth a as a player, but the pure irony of being the only white dude in a sea of black dudes and having the name DEL NEGRO is funny enough to land him at # 13. It's an unlucky number anyway...

[baseline bum]

...and Del Negro had no business being on the team. He was deemed the replacement for Rod Strickland, who had fallen out of favor with management. One of the absolute worst trades in Spurs history. Rod should've remained with the Spurs for many years.

You can thank cheap- Red McCombs for that one.

[Spooky]

I voted Mario Elie over AJ yesterday. I'm flip floppin over to Alvin Robertson.

[The Truth #6]

I remember when Alvin hit a last second 3 to beat the Sixers when they were in town for Dr. J's farewell season. Everyone was chanting his name, in a very similar way to when Sean hit his miracle 3 versus Portland.

[SenorSpur]

touche...

He was never worth a as a player, but the pure irony of being the only white dude in a sea of black dudes and having the name DEL NEGRO is funny enough to land him at # 13. It's an unlucky number anyway...

Holy crap Batman! I never thought about that.

The scapegoating and subsequent trade of Strickland and the eventual acquisition of Del Negro are two sterling examples of how incompetent the Spurs ownership and management of the Spurs were at that time (pre-Holt, pre-Pop). In looking back at these events, it so easy to appreciate where this team it now, the manner in which it's run and the organization model that's currently in place.

[urunobili]

Holy crap Batman! I never thought about that.

The scapegoating and subsequent trade of Strickland and the eventual acquisition of Del Negro are two sterling examples of how incompetent the Spurs ownership and management of the Spurs were at that time (pre-Holt, pre-Pop). In looking back at these events, it so easy to appreciate where this team it now, the manner in which it's run and the organization model that's currently in place.

THat's why i think this should be RC's spot on the countdown... even Presti should be getting some love already

[2centsworth]

Mario Ellie! Before Mario the Spurs were one of the softest most chokingness teams around. After Mario the Spurs have been tough, even labeled dirty, and money in big spots! I can't help but believe mario help set that trend, and we don't win 4 les without it.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Johnny Moore was a fan favorite back in the early 80's. In terms of influence he should be way up the list. I think he's not getting the love he should so far.

ATrain is probably my second choice of the remaining list. When the Spurs acquired him he changed the face of the team. Finally we had a player that people thought would give us a legitimate shot of beating the Showtime Lakers. And there were some great matchups between him and Kareem.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Mario Ellie! Before Mario the Spurs were one of the softest most chokingness teams around. After Mario the Spurs have been tough, even labeled dirty, and money in big spots! I can't help but believe mario help set that trend, and we don't win 4 les without it.

Mario is high on my list, too. Definitely top 20.

[Brutalis]

Johnny Moore was a fan favorite back in the early 80's. In terms of influence he should be way up the list. I think he's not getting the love he should so far.

ATrain is probably my second choice of the remaining list. When the Spurs acquired him he changed the face of the team. Finally we had a player that people thought would give us a legitimate shot of beating the Showtime Lakers. And there were some great matchups between him and Kareem.

I agree with Moore.