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The San Antonio Spurs is one of the best teams in the history of the NBA. The team started in the ABA as the Dallas Chaparrals in 1967 before moving to San Antonio in 1973 as the Spurs. In 1976, the Spurs joined the NBA and they were regularly in the playoffs.
In 42 seasons in the NBA, the Spurs only missed the postseason four times winning the NBA championship in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014, all under the coaching of Gregg Popovich. A model franchise, the Spurs have also produced some of the greatest players ever including Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
Here are the five players who made the cut and into the all-time starting five of the San Antonio Spurs.
Guard – Tony Parker
It is hard to believe that Tony Parker has been in the league for 18 seasons already, 17 of which was with the San Antonio Spurs. Parker vastly improved after rookie season into one of the best scoring point guards of his generation. He was vital in four championship-winning Spurs teams in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014.
Parker is a six-time All-Star and a former NBA Finals MVP. He ranks fourth in scoring, first in assists, fifth in steals, and second in minutes played in the all-time leaderboard of the Spurs. Even though he left the Spurs to join the Charlotte Hornets in the summer of 2018, his No. 9 jersey will surely be retired in San Antonio.
Honorable Mention: Guard – Avery Johnson
During his 16-year career, Avery Johnson had three stints with the Spurs. He signed with the Spurs in 1991 but waived later in the season. He re-signed with them in 1992, lasting for just one season before re-joining the Spurs in 1994. Johnson lasted seven seasons in his third stint with the Spurs, helping the team win its first-ever NBA championship in 1999.
Guard – Manu Ginobili
One of the greatest sixth man to ever play the game, Manu Ginobili had a collection of skills and basketball IQ that many do not have. His aggressive style was amazing to watch but Gregg Popovich made sure that his body was protected. Coach Pop decided to use him off the bench and it paid dividends since Ginobili was able to play until he was 40 years old.
Ginobili was a two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the 2008 Sixth Man of the Year. He helped the Spurs win four NBA championships and he will surely get his No. 20 jersey in the rafters of the AT&T Center very soon. He ranks fifth in all-time Spurs scoring and rebounds, fourth in assists, and first in steals.
Honorable Mention: Guard – Alvin Robertson
Drafted seventh overall by the Spurs in 1984, Alvin Robertson quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the NBA. He was the Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player in 1986, in addition to three All-Star game appearances for the Spurs.
Center – David Robinson
“The Admiral” David Robinson is one of the 50 greatest players in the history of the NBA. He is also one of the best big men to ever play the game, winning the MVP Award in 1995 and two NBA championships in 1999 and 2003. He was also the 1990 Rookie of the Year, 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, and a ten-time All-Star.
Robinson averaged 21.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.0 blocks per game in his career, all of which was with the Spurs. He is also one of the rare players who have recorded a quadruple-double. He is already a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and his No. 50 jersey was retired by the Spurs in 2003.
Honorable Mention: Forward – Larry Kenon
One of the first star for the Spurs in the ABA, Larry Kenon was a 6”9 power forward that can score, rebound, and defend. He played five seasons in San Antonio from 1975 to 1980, two of which was in the NBA. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and an ABA champion in 1974.
Forward – George Gervin
The first true superstar in San Antonio, “The Iceman” George Gervin was among the best players ever. His finger roll was one of the most devastating shots in basketball much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook. It was an unblockable shot that helped Gervin score more than 26,000 points.
Gervin was a nine-time All-Star with the Spurs, winning the All-Star game MVP in 1980. He also made the All-NBA First Team five times and the All-NBA Second Team twice. Known as a scorer, he was a four-time scoring champion. His iconic No. 44 jersey currently hangs at the AT&T Center along with other great Spurs players.
Honorable Mention: Forward – Kawhi Leonard
Oh, what could have been? Kawhi Leonard was on his way to becoming one of the greatest Spurs to ever play. In seven seasons in San Antonio, Leonard was a one-time NBA champion, a one-time NBA Finals MVP, a two-time All-Star, and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Forward – Tim Duncan
The greatest power forward in history, Tim Duncan spent his entire 19-year career with the Spurs. Consistency was key for Duncan and it helped the Spurs win five NBA championships during his tenure. His No. 21 jersey was retired in 2016 and a statue outside the AT&T Center should be on the way.
One of the most accomplished players ever, Duncan won three Finals MVP, two NBA MVPs, and he was a 15-time All-Star. He also holds some of the Spurs record including points scored, minutes played, rebounds, and blocks. His longevity and consistency were amazing and he all did it with swimming as his first sport.
Honorable Mention: Forward – Sean Elliott
Some might not believe it but Sean Elliott did not spend his entire career in San Antonio. He had two stints with the Spurs, first from 1989 to 1993 and second from 1994 to 2001. Elliott was key in the 1999 NBA championship-winning squad and he was a two-time All-Star.
