David Robinson or Tim Duncan....Best Spur Ever?

[ezau]

I once got into an argument with a "new school" basketball player on why Tim Duncan was better than LeBron, and in a way I can see where this can come into play in the Robinson vs Duncan argument as well. Basically, when building a player from head to toe to win a championship Tim Duncan has absolutely everything you can possibly need and want- with the exception of excitement. Tim is boring to the casual fan. Now an old school guy like myself could watch Duncan play all day. Sure he doesn't to the eye popping dunks like Robinson could, but the way Duncan finds angles and openings in the defense, works hard to create a shot, plays smart, takes his time and quietly does what he does is insane. I remember just this year at the Timberwolves game in December a buddy of mine went to a game with me. Maybe half way through the second quarter he says to me, "Man, Tim isn't playing that well is he?" I responded that it didn't look like it. I look up at his stats and Tim had something like 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and I knew he had a couple blocks I kept track of on my own. So both me and my buddy were wrong.

Had Tim made a few monster dunks and had half the stats with a few turnovers (a bad game aside from the dunks basically) it would only take another big dunk for the fans to think that Tim was dominating the game, when in fact it was all show.

I know I'm going on and on a bit, but basically I see Duncan as a throw back player who is all about the game and not about the show. It's great to see athletic ability put to use by dunking all over someone, but what Tim Duncan does night in and night out since he became a star at Wake is truly more amazing than anything a player like LeBron can do with his crazy athletic ability. And that's the honest truth.

Duncan's accomplishments trumps everything LeGone did in his entire career

[ajh18]

For those who aren't old enough or weren't Spurs fans in David's prime, the best description I can come up with is a combination of Dwight Howard on defense (but smarter), Amare on offense (obviously, smarter), and somewhere in between the two on the boards. David was an athletic freak of nature.

And yet as a basketball player? I STILL take Tim Duncan over David. That's how good Tim was in his prime, plus, Tim Duncan's game relies much less on athleticism and is more effective in the slower-paced, halfcourt playoffs. Tim Duncan is the better overall player, though it's closer than many think and David is vastly underrated by the media and most NBA fans.

That said, David Robinson is the embodiment of what makes the Spurs great. From taking less money for the team, to voluntarily giving up his role as primary scorer to a second year forward, to lobbying Tim to stay in SA, to putting charater, community, and citizenship ahead of money or personal glory... Robinson established the foundation of what Spurs basketball is. Tim ceding the primary scoring load to Manu and Parker at times? Spurs taking less money for the good of the team? The Spurs coming to be known as an organization that values character even over talent? The Spurs' relationship with the community? All of these characteristics can, I believe, be traced back to David Robinson.

I take Tim on the court, but David Robinson is the more valuable Spur.

[Waps1980]

I'd have to say Robinson, TD owes a lot to Robinson mostly putting the spurs in the position to drive for les and teaching Timmy all his tricks.
Stats David over Tim, But Tim has rings but he also had better players around him to help bring those rings. Robinson was a 1 man mountain.

Stats though right now are close but Timmy still has stats dropping every year he plays more, and he may never step aside for someone, like David did not cos he doesn't want to but cos he may not have someone along side of him with the ability to take his spot.

[Blackjack]

If you put a gun to my head and just asked who's the No. 1 Spur, it's got to be David. There might not be a single player more important to his team or community in the history of the NBA. You can argue more important players in the grand scheme of things, but not necessarily to their respective franchise.

But there's really no argument to be made that Dave was a better player than Tim. I watched Dave his whole career. He was and still is a hero of mine. But Dave didn't have the post game or offensive repertoire of Tim and though he was a more prolific shot-blocker, Tim's one of the best team defenders the league's ever seen.

You could never take Tim out of a game because his game was so complete. And if you're honest with yourself, you couldn't say the same for Dave -- I just don't like when this discussion devolves into demeaning either one. It's differentiating between greatness, not good or bad or even great and good.

[Muser]

Like Blackjack said, David was so important to the Spurs survival, and even now after he's retired he has set up his Academy in San Antonio aswell as other charitable causes. The best Spurs as a human being had to be DR, as a player it's Duncan.

[Spurs Brazil]

On the court, Tim. No-brainer, and that's not a slight.

Off the court, David. Again, no-brainer, and again, not a slight.

[Trill Clinton]

David Robinson...his work off the court tips the scale in his favor...I don't see timmy being that involved with the community after he retires...I think he's gonna turn into a pot smoking hippie and disappear off the face of the earth.

[spursncowboys]

would duncan had been able to do what robinson did if duncan was by himself? Duncan had robinson, manu, parker, d. anderson, and a huge amount more of talent that robinson never had with mccomb's cheapskate ass.
if robinson was put in a situation where the spurs were with a stable coach, a system, and want to go out and get talent then robinson would have def done more.

[TDMVPDPOY]

without robinson, spurs wouldve reallocated

[lotr1trekkie]

David will always be the face of this franchise. Tim is probably the most skilled player to wear the black and silver. Question is ambiguous.

[mudyez]

best spur: timmy

most important: tie

[johnnySpurs]

In this poll, I have to go with David Robinson without a second thought. Seems like very few around here actually had an opportunity to watch David play. David Robinson was a stud on both ends of the floor. As great as we know Tim Duncans defense to have been in his prime, David Robinson was better. He was a more intimidating presence in the paint than Duncan and for a big man he was an amazing ball thief.

The most blocks Tim Duncan has ever made in a single season was 237. David Robinson eclipsed this number 7 times over the course of his career including 3 300+ block seasons. Robinson's career average in steals has to be around 1.5 where Duncan likely is below 1.0. Over the course of his prime, Robinson was a 25ppg player while Duncan has remained consistently at around 20ppg. Robinson has a 70+ point game under his belt (granted.... it was a bit inflated), as well as one of the leagues 4 recorded regular season quadruple doubles.

David Robinson played and excelled in a league dominated by extremely talented PFs and C's. The likes of Olajuwon, Malone, Ewing, Mourning, Shaq all in their youth and prime. These are players who's game dwarfs the likes of a Pau Gasol.

I've followed San Antonio since '87 and obviously the careers of both Spurs greats. I may be wrong, but I think a lot of people who so easily dismiss Robinson either did not get an opportunity to see him on the court, OR caught him toward the end of his career which unfortunately was hampered by foot and back injuries.

As Spurs fans, we are lucky to have been able to transition from David Robinson immediately to Tim Duncan. In a few short years we'll be able to look back at the last 20 or so years and come to the realization that this franchise has spoiled by treating us to two dominant forces that few other teams have been able to provide their fans.

Whichever you choose, be it Tim Duncan or David Robinson... I don't think there is really a 'wrong' answer to this.

[kjhip1]

I've always said that if Robinson would have ever went against Jordan and the Bulls, the Bulls would have had a very hard time, possibly even losing. The Bulls always had problems with athletic centers. I always felt the Spurs played the Bulls so evenly. Although Jordan did go up against Ewing and won almost all the time, to compare Ewing's athleticism to Robinson's is a complete farce. Robinson just couldn't get his team past the Rockets, Jazz, and Suns...I would have killed to see Robinson against Jordan in the finals...

Having said all that, I see Timmy as a notch better then David. David relied on running up and down the court as well as his jumper. timmy had more efficient moves in the post as well as a slightly better IQ on the court. That's not to take away David's ability to alter games just like Timmy, however I just can't put DRob over TD. I'm still very thankful DRob went out a champion. Its obvious DRob was an inspiration the city of SA as his faith is what was enduring about his career. The man never gave up hope!

[dbreiden83080]

I think he's gonna turn into a pot smoking hippie and disappear off the face of the earth.

Isn't that the american dream???

[DesignatedT]

Timothy Duncan period

[DesignatedT]

In this poll, I have to go with David Robinson without a second thought. Seems like very few around here actually had an opportunity to watch David play. David Robinson was a stud on both ends of the floor. As great as we know Tim Duncans defense to have been in his prime, David Robinson was better. He was a more intimidating presence in the paint than Duncan and for a big man he was an amazing ball thief.

The most blocks Tim Duncan has ever made in a single season was 237. David Robinson eclipsed this number 7 times over the course of his career including 3 300+ block seasons. Robinson's career average in steals has to be around 1.5 where Duncan likely is below 1.0. Over the course of his prime, Robinson was a 25ppg player while Duncan has remained consistently at around 20ppg. Robinson has a 70+ point game under his belt (granted.... it was a bit inflated), as well as one of the leagues 4 recorded regular season quadruple doubles.

David Robinson played and excelled in a league dominated by extremely talented PFs and C's. The likes of Olajuwon, Malone, Ewing, Mourning, Shaq all in their youth and prime. These are players who's game dwarfs the likes of a Pau Gasol.

I've followed San Antonio since '87 and obviously the careers of both Spurs greats. I may be wrong, but I think a lot of people who so easily dismiss Robinson either did not get an opportunity to see him on the court, OR caught him toward the end of his career which unfortunately was hampered by foot and back injuries.

As Spurs fans, we are lucky to have been able to transition from David Robinson immediately to Tim Duncan. In a few short years we'll be able to look back at the last 20 or so years and come to the realization that this franchise has spoiled by treating us to two dominant forces that few other teams have been able to provide their fans.

Whichever you choose, be it Tim Duncan or David Robinson... I don't think there is really a 'wrong' answer to this.

Are you trying to say that Robinson was a better player than Duncan? As much as I love and respect Drob, there is no way he was a better player than Duncan. Seems like the people who did get to see him play remember him being an extremely athletic big man who provided us with many spectacular highlights, something Duncan has never been able to do. The same people would say Garnett was a better player than Duncan all because he was more athletic and could perform badass dunks.

It's not even close. Duncan>Robinson.

[Cane]

Almost like the chicken or the egg kind of deal. Without Robinson, the Spurs probably wouldn't be in SA and Duncan would've had to lead the Spurs without a MVP/DPOY/incredible sportsman of a big man mentoring him which means less or no les. Without Duncan, D-Rob wouldn't have a future HOF'er with young legs helping him in the paint which means no les at all for Robinson.

I pick David Robinson though, he's led an amazing life thats a perfect role model for San Antonio especially since he's got a military background and his service to the community. D-Rob's story of not only being a NBA HOFer but also a guy that graduated from the Naval Academy and majored in mathematics, Carver Academy, etc....incredible.

D-Rob's prime > Duncan's and any other modern big not named Shaq or Hakeem.

[Silver&Black]

1a. Timmy
1b. Admiral
1c. Iceman

[HarlemHeat37]

Adding to what everybody else has already said, I agree with Duncan being the best player on the court, while Robinson is more of the face of the franchise for a variety of reasons..

You can make the argument that David Robinson was better than Timmy in the regular season, I would say it's a valid argument..Admiral is one of the most underrated players in NBA history IMO, a lot of it due to the series vs. Hakeem, which seems to be what most of today's fans remember him for..a lot of people seem to have forgotten how much of a physical freak he was..Dwight Howard + a mid-range J + more polished overall game, which is unreal if you think about it..

However, there's very little doubt that Duncan is a better playoff performer..Tim's style of play translates to the playoffs a lot better than Robinson's face-up style of play did..while there's no doubt that Duncan had much better teammates, his overall game has always risen in the playoffs, while David's game often regressed, a lot of it due to the style of play IMO..

[smrattler]

I think people still think of David as a great defender, one of the best ever in that area. But I think many have forgotten exactly how great David's defense was.

Great on the ball, he was so long and athletic that few could get high percentage shots off on him. But also great help-side, I don't think I've ever seen anyone cover the whole paint like him when he was at his best. He altered every shot in the paint almost.

In his prime, he alone was our interior defense and I don't know about his per game minutes but he seemed to play the whole game without tiring.

Also, IMO, he might have peaked offensively later, but I think his defense took the NBA by surprise the minute he stepped out there his first year. Just a freak. So, not sure what year his prime was anyway.

Still, having said all of that, Tim has the "greatness". The playoff greatness. The ability to make everyone around him better when the stakes are their highest. The coolness, clutchness. Maybe that's where the real difference is.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Here's the litmus test--switch the players' careers in retrospective and ask yourself if the Spurs would've accomplished all they have in the last 2 decades or so. No disrespect to Timmyat all, but I have never seen a mutual embrace between a player and community as strong as the one between Robinson and the San Antonio area. Part of it is personality--David simply has the charisma that Duncan never had or will have, and that's what endeared him (and, by proxy, the Spurs) to the city of San Antonio. Could Duncan have done the same thing? Yes, but it would have been much different. The Spurs needed a vocal leader in love with the community to stay in South Texas, and they found that in spades with David Robinson.

The other issue is personnel. Give The Admiral in his prime a Parker/Ginobili backcourt and we're talking about a team that would terrorize the league in a fashion rarely seen. People just don't realize how good David was back in the day--to call him an Amare/Howard combo is even an understatement, in my opinion. That said, Timmy is still the better player--his game's efficiency gives him the edge that makes him more reliable in pressure situations. When Robinson was having a bad game, everybody knew it--Tim can dominate a game and you not even realize it till it's too late to do a goddamn thing about the roll he's on. That's a devastating psychological edge.

But the question was who is the best SPUR, not the best basketball player, so imma have to go with The Admiral. Unfair or not, David's personality is what kept this franchise here and ultimately opened the door for later Spurs like Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker to have unprecedented success in the Alamo City. David Robinson is the epitome of what it means to wear the Silver and Black.

[Gregzilla]

Greatest SPUR? Robinson
Greatest spurs PLAYER? Duncan

[Josepatches_]

On the court Tim Duncan by far.
Robinson was great but i'd say even in his prime he wasn't the best player/center of the league while Duncan was the best player of the world in 2003 and at least as good as Olajuwon was in the 90's.

Off the court i'd say tie.

[ambchang]

True. In a different time and place those teams easily could have won championships. That is one of the reasons it isn't fair to knock players like Barkley, Ewing, Malone etc. down a notch because they never won championships as the top dog.

You can knock Malone down a million notches and I would be happy about it. I am glad his pedophile butt never won a championship, that overrated choker.

[smrattler]

On the court Tim Duncan by far.
Robinson was great but i'd say even in his prime he wasn't the best player/center of the league while Duncan was the best player of the world in 2003 and at least as good as Olajuwon was in the 90's.

Off the court i'd say tie.

Tim is a great guy and seems like a wonderful person overall. This is not to knock on him in any way whatsoever.

But David in the S.A. community has personally changed thousands of lives and families with his hands-on contributions. You can not over estimate how much his work, especially with the Carver Academy, has meant to people that have benefitted from it.

Lots of ultra-rich superstars talk the game, this guy put his money where his beliefs were and put in the work himself when needed.

A truely amazing human being.

The world needs more people like this man.