Alvin Robertson: A Fallen, Forgotten Spur on Trial for Human Trafficking

[Spur|n|Austin]

SAN ANTONIO — Alvin Robertson wanted to see the defending champion Spurs collect their championship rings on opening night of the NBA season in person, except he couldn't make the short trip from home. The load he’s carrying right now was just too heavy.

One piece of cargo is his past. It weighs a ton, swollen from a series of confrontations with women and violating protective orders and probation. Those actions have sent him in and out of jail for the last decade and a half. And they kept him far away from the AT&T Center and a team he once starred for in the mid-1980s, a bleak stretch of Spurs history that seems long forgotten, like Robertson himself.

The other part of his load only weighs a few ounces. It’s a court-appointed tracking device, strapped to his ankle, confining Robertson’s body to his house and his mind to an upcoming trial that could lock him up for life.

Two weeks after the Spurs were honored for winning their fifth le and praised again for being a near-perfect franchise, one of their former all-time greats will appear before a jury. On Nov. 10 in the 186th District Court in San Antonio, Robertson will face charges of trafficking persons under 18 for pros ution, sexual assault of a child and sexual performance of a child—all felonies—according to Kirsta Melton, an assistant district attorney in Bexar County. Two of the charges carry a maximum punishment of 99 years each.

Read More: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...forgotten-spur

[FromWayDowntown]

He's alleged to have been into some serious stuff.

I'm familiar with a civil action against based on the same allegations made in the criminal case (same girl, same ringleader -- Campbell); the proof is pretty damning and if the allegations in that action -- and, more importantly, in the criminal case -- can be ultimately proven, its sickening conduct.

Early Pop considered returning Alvin to the Spurs but Mr. Robinson nixed it and justifiably so, it seems. Probably for the best in a lot of ways.

Today's Pop would just shake his head at Early Pop even thinking about it.

[rjv]

robertson was a great spur. but he's a terrible human being.

[baseline bum]

Link is broken

[baseline bum]

Early Pop considered returning Alvin to the Spurs but Mr. Robinson nixed it and justifiably so, it seems. Probably for the best in a lot of ways.

Never heard that. Early Pop as in 1994 Pop? Alvin Robertson. Trading his sorry ass for Terry mings is one of the greatest moves this franchise ever made. mings is such an awesome person and must have been an incredible teammate, and he was a beast before blowing out his knee.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Link is broken

Thanks, fixed it.

[baseline bum]

That article makes it sound like Brickowski was shipped to Milwaukee in the mings deal, when he was traded a year later for Paul Pressey.

[FromWayDowntown]

Never heard that. Early Pop as in 1994 Pop? Alvin Robertson. Trading his sorry ass for Terry mings is one of the greatest moves this franchise ever made. mings is such an awesome person and must have been an incredible teammate, and he was a beast before blowing out his knee.

Here's the whole story:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...forgotten-spur

That anecdote was from the story:

Robinson Nixes his Return

Despite Robertson's troubles, the Spurs nearly tossed him a lifeline. Popovich weighed the idea of adding a 34-year-old with back and legal problems to a team desperate to turn the corner. Popovich met with Robertson and said at the time: “Alvin’s still a good player.”

Well, David Robinson, weary of losing yet skeptical about Robertson, drew the line where the criminal courts wouldn’t.

“The last thing we need to do is bring in a problem,” Robinson told reporters at the time. “All you have to go on is people’s actions. What he says is one thing. (But) it’s what he does.”

Robertson turned 34 in July 1996, so that must have been before or during the 1996-97 season. My guess would be that it was before, coming off the stinging loss to the Jazz in the 2nd round with the idea that the team needed more edge and grit to have a chance to beat Utah. Luckily, filling that role with "Alvin Robertson" shifted to filling it with Mario Elie, which was a major upgrade, I think.

[Gervin44Silas13]

Wow so sad one of the black sheep of the Spurs!

[tmtcsc]

I met Alvin Robertson once back in 1996 and the guy was very personable and outgoing. We talked basketball for a few minutes at the Sombrero Rosa on West Ave. and Blanco. Its hard to imagine that same dude being caught up in all this nastiness. Its a sad shame. He never backed down from anyone on the court and played his ass off for the Spurs. The he's accused of now is disgusting.

[DPG21920]

[superbigtime]

Damn that's sad.

[gospursgojas]

Used to ball with his son. Almost same story. Great player, always in trouble.

[Uriel]

That's sad.

[Gervin44Silas13]

wow sad article...............

[wildbill2u]

I used to have an game ball autographed by Alvin. He was a 4 time all-star and defensive player of the year, leading the league in steals 4 times. He had so much promise in his early years that it's a shame he ran off the rails.

My ex-son in law stole the ball. I don't miss it since he got into all the troubles.

[Maddog]

I ran into him at tycoon flats and he bought us a beer.- 04 or 05
I also remember his radio show-

That whole time period from late 80s to early 90s was incredibly frustrating for Spurs fans
A lot of extremely talented players who didn't pan out. Robertson, Willie Anderson, Rod Strickland.
I often wondered what would have happened if the Spurs stuck with Bob Weiss as the coach instead of hiring Larry Brown. While a great coach he clashed with a lot of the players- even Dave
Of course no Larry- then no Pop and RC

[lmbebo]

Attended a basketball camp he once ran. Used to get his autograph everyday. Never said no, but after the 5th autograph he gave me this look and signed it again. Autographs are worthless now.

[lefty]

Ive always thought he looked like a drug dealer

But so did Dennis Rodman, Terry mings and Lloyd Daniels

[will_spurs]

Autographs are worthless now.

fuk yo autographs clown.

[Stabula]

I was charged of the same crimes but I got out of it thanks to Nico Lahood

[George Gervin's Afro]

I still think Alvin R is a better player than Tony Parker...

[xmas1997]

Was great defensively once upon a time.

It's a shame.

[Galileo]

I went to a Bucks playoffs game in 1990, this game here: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...005010MIL.html

Bucks beat Jordan & the Bulls and Robertson scored 38 points. At the end of the game, Jordan lost the ball and Robertson went down the court and made a big hoop to clinch it.

[lefty]

I went to a Bucks playoffs game in 1990, this game here: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...005010MIL.html

Bucks beat Jordan & the Bulls and Robertson scored 38 points. At the end of the game, Jordan lost the ball and Robertson went down the court and made a big hoop to clinch it.

MJ has always aknowledged Alvin's defense on him