Top 30 NBA Spurs (Updated every Sunday)

[SpursWoman]

The Top 30 NBA Spurs: 24. Gene Banks; 23. Mario Elie

Web Posted: 11/26/2006 01:44 AM CST


San Antonio Express-News

Thirty years ago the Spurs played their first NBA season after being one of four teams from the American Basketball Association to join the older league. To commemorate this anniversary, on Sundays the Express-News will recognize our selections as the 30 greatest NBA Spurs. Here are Nos. 23 and 24:


23. Mario Elie, 1998-2000: Although Elie didn't come to the Spurs until he was 35, and after eight NBA seasons, what he brought with him played a vital role in the team's first NBA le run: NBA Finals experience and a toughness under pressure that can't be taught. Elie averaged 9.7 points in his first season with the Spurs, the lockout-shortened 1999 season that culminated in the first championship in club history. He was a key contributor during the playoff run, too, hitting some big 3-point shots on the way to the le. His leadership skills were such that he moved to the Spurs' bench as an assistant coach when his playing career ended.


24. Gene Banks, 1981-85: The Spurs picked Banks in the second round of the 1981 draft after his standout career at Duke, and he moved immediately into the team's regular playing rotation, averaging 9.7 points as a rookie. He assumed an even greater role in his second season, averaging 14.9 points on a solid team that went to the Western Conference finals a second-straight season. He averaged 15.9 points in 11 playoff games in that run to the conference finals and averaged 6.9 rebounds, as well.

[cherylsteele]

I'm not worreid about your opinion, whott. The 50% IS arbitrary. MJ didn't hit it. Are you seriously saying Ice > MJ? That's what you seem to be implying by staying on that foolish 50%

OMG, did you know that Perdue has a better playoff FG% than Tim OR David? All hail Will!!!

50% is not arbitrary.
How many times do you see players today miss wide open 10'-15' jump shots on a regular basis?

Ice could hit those almost automatically. He was very prolific at hit the banker off the wing....more so than Timmy. I remember reading somewhere that one critic was asked if his life depended on one jump shot who did he want to take it for him.....the person answered "George Gervin, without question."

Oh and Will Perdue, how many shots did he take? When you see top averages listed they usually tell you that they require a certain minimum of game and such. Perdue was a solid back-up, no question. But including his name, that is absurd.

Ice did this over his entire career.....not just from the paint and garbage buckets like Perdue had. Ice was THE FOCAL POINT of the Spurs' offense for nearly a decade....just like DRob was.

[cherylsteele]

Perdue .553
DRob .518. Look it up.

Okay I did......according to NBA.com:
Perdue Reg. Season 515%
DRob Reg. Season 518%

You make outlandish statements like this and you want us to take you seriously?

1. Tim Duncan
2. George Gervin
3. David Robinson
4. Artis Gilmore
5. Sean Elliot
6. Manu Ginobilli
7. Alvin Robertson
8. James Silas
9. Terry mings
10 Tony Parker

I unfortunately never got to see Silas or Kenon play....I moved here in 1980.
My list order isn't in any real particular order....I just used numbers to make look neat and orderly.

[cheguevara]

Anyone else want to put Dave ahead of Tim?

1 Robinson
2 Duncan
3 Gervin

only if Vinny Del Negro and Antoine Carr are put ahead of them:

1. Vinny Del Negro
2. Anoine Carr
3. Robinson
4. Duncan

[pichichi63]

Del Negro !!!!! What a wonderful player !!!!
I agree with you "the Che"

[FromWayDowntown]

Speaking of Del Negro . . . ..

The Top 30 NBA Spurs: 22. Vinny Del Negro; 21. Steve Kerr

Web Posted: 12/03/2006 12:57 AM CST

San Antonio Express-News
Thirty years ago the Spurs played their first NBA season after being one of four teams from the American Basketball Association to join the older league. To commemorate this anniversary, on Sundays the Express-News will recognize our selections as the 30 greatest NBA Spurs. Here are Nos. 22 and 21:

22. Vinny Del Negro, 1992-98: The Spurs signed Del Negro as a free agent in 1992, and he was an integral part of teams that won two Midwest Division les, including the 62-20 team that advanced to the 1995 Western Conference finals. He averaged 11.2 points in his 433 regular- season games, 9.5 points in 46 playoff games. Del Negro left the Spurs after the 1997-98 season and joined the Bucks. He later played for the Suns and Warriors. Del Negro ranks 10th all-time on the Spurs' list of 3-pointers made (205) and fourth in free-throw percentage (82.8). He is now Director of Player Personnel for the Suns.

21. Steve Kerr, 1998-01, 2002-03: Though Kerr played only four seasons with the Spurs, he earned championship rings in both 1999 and 2003 and made significant contributions in both le runs. If he did nothing else in his four seasons, he would always be remembered for shooting the Spurs back from the brink of defeat in Game 6 of the 2003 Western Conference finals in Dallas. He also was one of the team's most valuable players in the locker room, a veteran leader whose experience in his championship runs with the Bulls helped the Spurs navigate their first Finals. He is now an analyst for TNT's NBA telecasts.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

On Kerr's 4 3 pters in the WCF in 2003 - that wasn't all he did! Remember he took a charge and had at least one steal during that run. He effectively shut Nash down. It was the best defensive performance by a 6' white guy in the history of the NBA!

Steve Kerr, Nash-stopper!

[5ToolMan]

Notice he hasn't done for Indiana in the playoffs? He played very well off of Tim Duncan for one playoff run, but then so did Jaren ing Jackson, and I may puke if he makes this list at all...

Indiana was actually developing into a very impressive unit with Jackson as a player, before the fight in Detroit knocked them out of contention in 2005. Injuries to O'Neal, and the Pacers' suspension and subsequent divorce from Ron kept them developing much in 2006.

Hoops is not a one man game. While I agree, Stephen will never carry a great team for an entire season. He has; the stones to take and the talent to hit the big shots in the biggest of games.

I agree with you. Stephen needs team support to deliver big shots at big moments. But let us get real. That statement is an undisputed truth for everyone who has played the game. Because it is an undisputable truth of the game of hoops.

Jordon needed a few clutch shots Kerr to add to him empressive total of rings. While Kerr may not have done much that the average bear noticed in the years in between. As Spurs fans remember, we owe Steve a thank you for his contribution in 1999 and huge props for his essential contribution to the rings in 2003.

Given the chance, S-Jax has proven he can deliver. That is good enough for him to be a deserving member of the Spurs top 30, to me.

[greens]

You guys think Bruce Bowen will be on the list? I mean without him, there is no way the Spurs would have won the 03 and 05 championships...He's the best perimeter defender...And at one time, was a leader in 3 pointers...Also recall the Chauncey block with a minute left in game 7...had Chauncey made that shot, the outcome could have been very different...Plus Bruce holds the record for the most consecutive games and being a starter since 2001...and not to mention he has been playing huge minutes since 2001...I mean I think he should at least be considered...

But yeah, I think Tim, Manu, and Tony will be on the list, for sure...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

If Bruce isn't on the list, there's something very wrong with the people compiling it.

In fact, we should really talk about the "Big Four", not the "Big Three", because as you rightly state, there would be no 03 and 05 rings without Bruce.

[FromWayDowntown]

Given the iden ies of the first 10 players on this list, I'm going to be surprised if Bowen isn't in the top 15 and perhaps the top 10 on the list.

Here are the 10 that Monroe has already named:

30. Stephen Jackson
29. Willie Anderson
28. Dave Corzine
27. Coby Dietrick
26. Chuck Person
25. Mike Gale
24. Gene Banks
23. Mario Elie
22. Vinny Del Negro
21. Steve Kerr

I'm pretty sure that I can guess most of the next 20, though the guessing around #20 becomes fairly subjective and depends entirely on how much you are willing to discount major faux pas, how much you add for clutch/memorable play, and how much you factor the team's success into the equation. My top 20 would be, in no particular order:

David Robinson
George Gervin
James Silas
Sean Elliott
Johnny Moore
Tim Duncan
Manu Ginobili
Tony Parker
Bruce Bowen
Avery Johnson
Larry Kenon
Artis Gilmore
Alvin Robertson
Mike Mitc
Terry mings
Robert Horry
Jaren Jackson
Mark Olberding
Dennis Rodman
Rod Strickland

It was difficult for me to leave Chris Whitney off the list . . . .

[venitian navigator]

Given the iden ies of the first 10 players on this list, I'm going to be surprised if Bowen isn't in the top 15 and perhaps the top 10 on the list.

Here are the 10 that Monroe has already named:

30. Stephen Jackson
29. Willie Anderson
28. Dave Corzine
27. Coby Dietrick
26. Chuck Person
25. Mike Gale
24. Gene Banks
23. Mario Elie
22. Vinny Del Negro
21. Steve Kerr

I'm pretty sure that I can guess most of the next 20, though the guessing around #20 becomes fairly subjective and depends entirely on how much you are willing to discount major faux pas, how much you add for clutch/memorable play, and how much you factor the team's success into the equation. My top 20 would be, in no particular order:

David Robinson
George Gervin
James Silas
Sean Elliott
Johnny Moore
Tim Duncan
Manu Ginobili
Tony Parker
Bruce Bowen
Avery Johnson
Larry Kenon
Artis Gilmore
Alvin Robertson
Mike Mitc
Terry mings
Robert Horry
Jaren Jackson
Mark Olberding
Dennis Rodman
Rod Strickland

It was difficult for me to leave Chris Whitney off the list . . . .

That's a pretty good selection of the rest...and probably these will be the 20 remaining.
But, to me, more than Chris Whitney, it will ne very difficult to leave off the list Dawkins...there have ben times when he was the really n° 1 weapon on the team, winning some games without any help in the front court!!!
He was clearly one of the best guard for an up tempo offense I've ever seen...and he spent the best part of his career with us (then he went down, 'cause of injuries)... I know the management didn't make bad deals about them, but I really would have seen him and Robertson in a team with David Robinson, instead of Cheeks (Strickland) and mings!

[freemeat]

Why has no one mentioned Lloyd Daniels yet? That guy was a phenom!!

[FromWayDowntown]

And now, the top 20 . . . .

20. Mark Olberding, 1976-82: He was one of the ABA Spurs who made the transition into the NBA 30 years ago. Olberding was a solid contributor who averaged 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in six NBA seasons with the Spurs. He was even better as a playoff performer for the Spurs, averaging 12.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 41 games over his six seasons. He still ranks seventh on the Spurs' playoff rebounding list (286), ninth in both playoff shots attempted (486) and made (230) and 10th in playoff assists (139).

19. Robert Horry, 2003-present: The instant "Big Shot Rob" nailed the 3-point shot that beat the Detroit Pistons in pivotal Game 5 of the 2005 NBA Finals, he cemented a spot in Spurs history. The game-winner ranks among the greatest clutch shots in Spurs and NBA history. The Spurs went on to win that series in seven games, giving Horry his sixth NBA championship — he won three with the Lakers and two with the Rockets. His numbers for the Spurs are not imposing, but since joining them, he has been the team's most reliable big man off the bench and one of the team's prime playoff performers. In just three seasons, Horry already ranks fifth in playoff 3-pointers made (52), ninth in playoff blocks (31) and 10th in playoff rebounds (236).


The list as it stands
19. Robert Horry
20. Mark Olberding
21. Steve Kerr
22. Vinny Del Negro
23. Mario Elie
24. Gene Banks
25. Mike Gale
26. Chuck Person
27. Coby Dietrick
28. Dave Corzine
29. Willie Anderson
30. Stephen Jackson

[Solid D]

Thanks for adding these in FWD!

[FromWayDowntown]

It's apparently our little project, Solid D.

So few others seem interested.

[SenorSpur]

Speaking of Del Negro . . . ..

The Top 30 NBA Spurs: 22. Vinny Del Negro; 21. Steve Kerr

Web Posted: 12/03/2006 12:57 AM CST

San Antonio Express-News
Thirty years ago the Spurs played their first NBA season after being one of four teams from the American Basketball Association to join the older league. To commemorate this anniversary, on Sundays the Express-News will recognize our selections as the 30 greatest NBA Spurs. Here are Nos. 22 and 21:

22. Vinny Del Negro, 1992-98: The Spurs signed Del Negro as a free agent in 1992, and he was an integral part of teams that won two Midwest Division les, including the 62-20 team that advanced to the 1995 Western Conference finals. He averaged 11.2 points in his 433 regular- season games, 9.5 points in 46 playoff games. Del Negro left the Spurs after the 1997-98 season and joined the Bucks. He later played for the Suns and Warriors. Del Negro ranks 10th all-time on the Spurs' list of 3-pointers made (205) and fourth in free-throw percentage (82.8). He is now Director of Player Personnel for the Suns.

Vinny Del Negro is probably the one Spur that I absolutely hated the most. When the Spurs had a reputation around the league as being "soft", HE was certainly one of the reasons why.

It was HE whom former GM Bob Bass suggested would be able to run the PG position after the FO shipped Rod Strickland out of town back in '92. Of course, that failed experiment even before the end of his first seaon with the team. The FO was then forced move VDN to his natural position of SG and bring in the likes of John Lucas and Avery Johnson to solidify the position.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I'm interested FWD, thanks again.

[v2freak]

The big 3 represents the players on the Spurs that are best known for scoring production. And if I were to guess, I'd say a lot of the members here are new or have forgotten certain things. I wouldn't put Ginobili or Parker in the top 10 just yet

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Ginobili and Parker have led the team and contributed heavily to 2 rings. For mine that puts them well up in the top 10 right now. Without them, we have one ring.

[FromWayDowntown]

Apologies for my pouting.

I'm just disappointed that I couldn't single-handedly bring back Whitney > Parker.

Best to leave that to the legends, I guess.

[v2freak]

The common factor between all 3 championship teams is Duncan - that's why I'd put him at #1.

[timvp]

My biggest problem with the list so far is Steve Kerr is way too high. The guy had a handful of good games for the Spurs in parts of four seasons in San Antonio. He was a gigantic bust in his first go around with the team. When the Spurs brought him back, he had his best regular season (4 points, 1 assist) and for once showed up in the playoffs ... but that was only in a couple games.

If not for his one game against the Mavericks in his final season (a game in which the Spurs were going to win anyways and the real heroes were Stephen Jackson and Malik Rose), Kerr doesn't make the list. No way I rank him ahead of Mario Elie and Stephen Jackson -- players who had one solid season and where huge parts of championship teams. I don't even think you can rank him ahead of players who had multiple good seasons such as Gene Banks, Willie Anderson and Vinny Del Negro.

[slayermin]

If not for his one game against the Mavericks in his final season (a game in which the Spurs were going to win anyways and the real heroes were Stephen Jackson and Malik Rose), Kerr doesn't make the list.

Stephen Jackson never received enough credit for his performance in that game. He was the best player on both teams that day.

[FromWayDowntown]

To his credit, Kerr played an important role in Game 5 of the 2003 Finals as well, but I was surprised to see him ranked as high as he was on this list.

When I put together my thoughts about players who were missing and likely to show up in the Top 20, there were a couple of guys who were productive with the Spurs, who couldn't fit on that list because there were only 20 spots left. I can't imagine that Monroe will omit, say, Strickland or Rodman, for example, but if he does completely leave them off the list (because of their checkered behavior while in SA), having Kerr at #21 would render the list absolutely laughable.