David Robinson was the first pick in the 1987 NBA draft, but didn't play for San Antonio until 1989 because of his two-year military commitment to the Navy. In his first season, he ranked second in the league in rebounding, third in blocked shots and 10th in scoring and was rewarded by being chosen as the Rookie of the Year and second team All-Defensive team. Equally as important, the Spurs went from a 21 wins the season before to 56, winning the Midwest Division title along the way.
Robinson joined Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan as the core of the "Dream Team", which went to Barcelona for the 1992 Olympics and won the gold medal.
In 1993-94, he set career highs in points (20.8) and assists (4.8) and also became just the fourth player to ever register a quadruple-double, posting 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks against the Pistons. Another highlight of the season, was Robinson's 71-point scoring outburst against the Clippers on the final day of the regular season, which gave him the scoring title over Shaquille O'Neal.
He was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 1994-95 season after averaging 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks, while leading the Spurs to the league's best record (62-20).
Robinson played for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, which won a gold medal at the Olympics in Atlanta. As of 2008, he is the only player to play in three different Olympic Games for the U.S. Men's Basketball team.
A back injury and a fractured left foot limited Robinson to just six games in 1996-97. The Spurs won just 20 games that season, but won the NBA Draft Lottery. With the No. 1 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, San Antonio selected Tim Duncan.
The Spurs won 36 more games the following season, before being eliminated from the playoffs in the Western Conference semifinals.
In 1999, the season was reduced by three months because of a labor dispute that led to a lockout. The Spurs went 37-13, won the division title and capped the season by defeating the Knicks in five games to win the NBA title.
In Robinson's final season -- 2003 -- he punctuated his career by winning his second NBA title. The Spurs defeated the Nets, 4-2, to win the crown. Robinson had 13 points and 17 rebounds in the series clincher.
Robinson, who averaged 21.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.5 assists per game over his NBA career, retired as the Spurs' all-time record holder in points, rebounds, steals and blocks.
Show some love for The Admiral, my favoritest basketball player ever.
