Top 30 NBA Spurs (Updated every Sunday)

[SilverSpur]

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 . . . .

I know the list is for the 30 Greatest Spurs, but if you could put together a list for Honorable Mention, who would you put on it. You know, players who actually played well even if it was for a short period of time.

Some players I liked

J.R. Reid
Dominique Wilkins
Derek Anderson
Will Perdue
Dale Ellis
Speedy Claxton

[FromWayDowntown]

The top 30 NBA Spurs: No. 11, Mike Mitc

link

Mike Mitc , 1980-88 and 1990: Mitc was an important transitional player for the Spurs. A 6-foot-7 small forward from Auburn, he joined the team before George Gervin's eighth season and instantly became a solid second scorer. By the 1984-85 season, Gervin's last in San Antonio, Mitc led the Spurs in scoring, the first player other than Gervin to lead the team since it joined the NBA in 1976. He was the team's top scorer again in 1985-86, at 23.4 points per game, and led the team in minutes played from 1983 to 1986.

Mitc averaged 20.1 points in his seven seasons with the Spurs and is all over the team's list of all-time leaders. Most significantly, he ranks fourth in points scored in silver and black with 9,799. He also ranks eighth in games played (488), fourth in field goals made (4,152) and attempted (8,429), sixth in free throws made (1,480) and attempted (1,888) and 10th in all-time free throw percentage (78.4). He ranks eighth in three of the club's all-time playoff categories: points scored (646), and field goals made (273) and attempted (544).

"Mitch" scored 40 or more points 10 times during his Spurs days, including a high game of 47 in 1984.

When Mitc became a free agent after the 1987-88 season, during which he averaged only 13.5 points, the Spurs opted not to re-sign him. But he became something of a bridge from the Gervin era to the David Robinson era when the Spurs brought him back for the 1990 playoffs, Robinson's first postseason.

[ShoogarBear]

Crap, I can't believe I'm just now seeing this thread.

[FromWayDowntown]

Crap, I can't believe I'm just now seeing this thread.

I keep bumping it every week to encourage some nostalgic discussion.

[FromWayDowntown]

I'm still disappointed that my Chris Whitney reference went so utterly unnoticed.

[mardigan]

No Bill Curley?

[ShoogarBear]

Some short takes because I've got to pack for a trip:

-for the bottom half of the the list, it's sometimes tough trying to decide the tradeoff between long years of service without a ring vs. short-term contributions to a championship.

- @ a 2-page discussion about Gervin being in the top 3

-Steve Kerr is WILDLY overrated. Even if you take into account the championship factor, both Elie and SJax should be above him. , you could argue Jaren Jackson ranks equal to him.

-Johnny Moore is also overrated, and I think a lot of that has to do with the Longhorn factor (in addition to the Desert Fever).

-whottt's temples are already bulging at the anticipation of AJ's placement. AJ >> Moore.

-Mike Gale >> Vinnie Del Negro

-There's a reasonable argument that Bowen > Elliott.

-My sister went out with Gene Banks once. Nice guy. For a while in college he looked like a potential #1 overall pick. I know he lost his wife to a brain tumor a few years back.

-The Whopper was incredibly effective for a guy who looked like a giant lump of clay. I remember taking my cousin from out of town to a SRO Spurs-Warriors game at the HemisFair. We were telling him about how great all the Spurs were except for Paultz, who was klutzy. Of course, Paultz had maybe his greatest NBA game ever, something like 24 points and 18 boards and 5 blocks, and the Spurs won on a shot by Gervin with about 2 seconds left. Ice was dribbling the ball around on the baseline with the clock running out and the entire stadium was yelling "Shoot! Shoot!". He just took his time and put it up when he was good and ready.

-Mark Olberding everyone thought was going to be a SuperStar. The Spurs got him at age 18 after one year at Minnesota. he was a good all-around player and physical presence , but never really turned into the dominating big guy evryone thought he would be.

[Pugglekicker_21]

Gervin was great but what david did as a rookie was amazing, pulling the spurs from the top pick in the draft to a playoff appearance if im not mistaken

[101A]

-There's a reasonable argument that Bowen > Elliott.

No.

Elliot was a fantastic man defender - maybe not at Bruce's level, but right there.

Offense? As good with the 3 - and a first step that killed. No comparison whatsoever.

Elliot >> Bowen

[FromWayDowntown]

No.

Elliot was a fantastic man defender - maybe not at Bruce's level, but right there.

Offense? As good with the 3 - and a first step that killed. No comparison whatsoever.

Elliot >> Bowen

or Elliott

[101A]

or Elliott

Lawyers suck.

[FromWayDowntown]

Lawyers suck.

I'm just saving timvp the time and saving you the hassle of having him come down on you. He and I share that pet peeve.

Sean Elliott's name isn't hard to spell and given his stature with fans, it's remarkable to me that so many people still struggle with that.

[Jimcs50]

This is top 5

No discussions needed.


1. TD

2. DRob

3. Ice

4. Mike Mitc

5 Sean Elliott

Artis Gilmore would be 6 in my opinion, followed by Johnny Moore, then TC.

Parker can jump to 6 if he plays out his contract and improves every year.

[Extra Stout]

I'm just saving timvp the time and saving you the hassle of having him come down on you. He and I share that pet peeve.

Sean Elliott's name isn't hard to spell and given his stature with fans, it's remarkable to me that so many people still struggle with that.

This is the United States of America, where many people struggle to spell their own names.

[101A]

I'm just saving timvp the time and saving you the hassle of having him come down on you. He and I share that pet peeve.

Sean Elliott's name isn't hard to spell and given his stature with fans, it's remarkable to me that so many people still struggle with that.

Fine...and I'm pretty embarrassed, frankly.

Does this mean I have to turn in my (floor) seat ticket stubs and signed Memorial Day Miracle EN?

[Mixability]

Does this mean I have to turn in my (floor) seat ticket stubs

You'd think you would have been able to read the back of his jersey from that vantage point.

[timvp]

I'm just saving timvp the time and saving you the hassle of having him come down on you. He and I share that pet peeve.

I was about to post

One day every Spurs fan will know how to spell Sean Elliott. . .

[lebomb]

1. TD
2. Admiral
3. Gervin
4. Elliott
5. Mike Mitc
6. Tony Parker
7. Terry mings
8. James Silas
9. Manu Ginobilli
10. Larry Kenon

[wildbill2u]

I think the argument that Gervin didn't play defense has to be tempered by the fact that in general there was less defense in the league. Refs called the games much tighter and we didn't want him to get into foul trouble.

He actually did a pretty good job defending the passing lanes and on help defense, averaging about 1.5 stls/gm and 1.5 blks/gm for most of his career.

Check out these same stats for the current bunch of Spurs. You'll be surprised to find out that GG got more steals and blocks for his career average than most any of them--including the defensive specialist Bowen.

[Spurs Brazil]

The Top 30 NBA Spurs: No. 10 Alvin Robertson

Web Posted: 02/03/2007 10:23 PM CST


San Antonio Express-News

Thirty years ago, in 1976, the Spurs played their first season in the NBA after the older league took in four teams from the American Basketball Association, including the Spurs. To commemorate the anniversary, the Express-News each Sunday will recognize our selections as the 30 greatest NBA Spurs. Here is No. 10:
Alvin Robertson, 1984-89: Before Bruce Bowen, the most renowned perimeter defender in Spurs history was Robertson. He and David Robinson are the only Spurs who've been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

A first-round draft pick in 1984 out of Arkansas, Robertson twice led the league in steals. In 1985-86 he averaged a league-leading 3.67 steals per game, a major factor in his earning the Defensive Player of the Year honor and being selected second-team All-NBA, one of only four players in club history to have been selected first, second or third-team All-NBA. He was a three-time All-Star. Only George Gervin, David Robinson and Tim Duncan have represented the Spurs in more All-Star Games.

Robertson led the Spurs in steals four of the five seasons he was with the club, three times averaging more than three per game. Though he played only five seasons in San Antonio, he ranks second in club history in total steals, with 1,129.

The 6-foot-4 guard, a member of '84 U.S. Olympic gold-medal team, was not one-dimensional. He averaged 16.2 points, on 48 percent shooting, and 5.4 rebounds over his five seasons. Robertson might have remained with the Spurs longer had it not been for off-the-court problems that continue to plague him. He was arrested again last week on warrants relating to past violations.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.134a396.html

[SenorSpur]

The Top 30 NBA Spurs: No. 10 Alvin Robertson

Web Posted: 02/03/2007 10:23 PM CST


San Antonio Express-News

Thirty years ago, in 1976, the Spurs played their first season in the NBA after the older league took in four teams from the American Basketball Association, including the Spurs. To commemorate the anniversary, the Express-News each Sunday will recognize our selections as the 30 greatest NBA Spurs. Here is No. 10:
Alvin Robertson, 1984-89: Before Bruce Bowen, the most renowned perimeter defender in Spurs history was Robertson. He and David Robinson are the only Spurs who've been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

A first-round draft pick in 1984 out of Arkansas, Robertson twice led the league in steals. In 1985-86 he averaged a league-leading 3.67 steals per game, a major factor in his earning the Defensive Player of the Year honor and being selected second-team All-NBA, one of only four players in club history to have been selected first, second or third-team All-NBA. He was a three-time All-Star. Only George Gervin, David Robinson and Tim Duncan have represented the Spurs in more All-Star Games.

Robertson led the Spurs in steals four of the five seasons he was with the club, three times averaging more than three per game. Though he played only five seasons in San Antonio, he ranks second in club history in total steals, with 1,129.

The 6-foot-4 guard, a member of '84 U.S. Olympic gold-medal team, was not one-dimensional. He averaged 16.2 points, on 48 percent shooting, and 5.4 rebounds over his five seasons. Robertson might have remained with the Spurs longer had it not been for off-the-court problems that continue to plague him. He was arrested again last week on warrants relating to past violations.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.134a396.html

For those who don't remember this guy, he was as tenacious a defender as the league has ever seen. His specialty was applying his rabid, ball-hawking, on-the-ball pressure on opposing guards from end-to-end. This hounded and frustrated his opponents, which led to the creation turnovers for himself and the team. He played the passing lanes with a certain cat-like quickness and stealth of a jaguar - as evidenced by his 2.71 career steals average.

Unlike Bowen who is a master of defensive footwork and tactical manuvers, Robertson was an exceptionally strong player with a chiseled physique and a very physical game. He was an excellent rebounder for his size (5.2 career avg) in the realm of a Jason Kidd or Fat Lever. Yet was also as capable of providing weak side defensive help and shot blocking.

However rest assured this guy was not just a great defender or a one-way player. He was an accomplished enough of a scorer that he played his natural 2-guard position and played it well. He could shoot the 3, had a good midrange game and wouldn't mind taking him man off the dribble, driving the lane and jamming on the opposition. He was good enough of a ball handler that he could slide easily over to the PG position and did on many occasions during a game. He triggered many a fast break by crashing the boards and getting out running in transition with former Spurs PG Johnny Moore or leading the break himself. He had one speed - break-neck. There was nothing to dislike about this guy on the court.

Were it not for his off-court troubles, he was well on his way toward a perennial all-star career and perhaps even potential HOF-type consideration. At the very least, his number #21 surely would have been hanging from the rafters of the AT&T Center. Which would have brought up an interesting set of cir stances seeing how he came before a certain current Spurs legend who wears the same number.

A bit of Robertson trivia:
Robertson is one of only four NBA players (D-Rob being one of the others) to record a quadruple-double (double digits in four statistical categories in a single game) when he registered 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals whilst playing for the Spurs against the Phoenix Suns. He is also the only player to do so with steals as the fourth category (the other three were with blocks).

[baseline bum]

What could have been if Alvin had a decent head on his shoulders.... could you imagine anyone scoring against a team with David Robinson and Alvin Robertson on it?

[SenorSpur]

What could have been if Alvin had a decent head on his shoulders.... could you imagine anyone scoring against a team with David Robinson and Alvin Robertson on it?

Sick!

[Spurs Brazil]

The Top 30 NBA Spurs: No. 9, James Silas

Web Posted: 02/10/2007 09:32 PM CST


San Antonio Express-News

Thirty years ago, in 1976, the Spurs played their first season in the NBA after the older league took in four teams from the American Basketball Association, including the Spurs. To commemorate the anniversary, the Express-News each Sunday will recognize our selections as the 30 greatest NBA Spurs. Here is No. 9:
James Silas, 1973-81: You can't discuss the early history of the Spurs without mentioning Silas, known as "Captain Late" for his ability to take over games in crunch time. Silas was an original Spurs player, arriving in 1973 when the Dallas Chaparrals relocated to the Alamo City. And though Silas' first three seasons, his most productive with the Spurs, were during the team's final ABA years, he was one of the players who most helped them make a smooth transition when they were amalgamated into the NBA in 1976, despite the fact his first three NBA seasons were plagued by injury.


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Silas' finest season was the ABA's final season, when he averaged 23.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.85 steals. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken ankle in the 1976 ABA playoffs, then blew out a knee in November of 1976, just as the Spurs were beginning their first season in the NBA. He played only 22 games in that first NBA season, only 37 the next season. NBA fans never really got to see the real "Captain Late," but his final three seasons with the Spurs produced scoring averages of 16.0, 17.7 and 17.7.

One of the best free-throw shooters in club history, Silas was fourth in the NBA in free-throw percentage (88.7 percent) in 1979-80, the third-best foul shooting season in club history. His career free-throw percentage, 85.5, is second-best in club history.

Silas' No. 13 jersey was retired by the Spurs on Feb. 28, 1984, making him the first player so honored by the team.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.17955eb.html

[wildbill2u]

Bob Bass invented the 1-4 to take advantage of Silas' 0ne-0n-0ne skills and FT prowess late in close games. That's why the nickname "Captain Late"

You don't need to know anything else about Si but this: The Spurs chose him to have the ball and take the shot at the end of games ahead of George Gervin.

Until his injuries, he was one of the best all-around PGs I've ever seen and certainly the best ever on the Spurs, notwithstanding TP.