David Robinson: HOF Class of '09

David Robinson is a retired center who played for the San Antonio Spurs. During his 14-year career, he won two NBA titles and was named league MVP, Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a 10-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA selection. He was also a three-time Olympian. He will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and is a member of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.




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.

As a Warriors fan, I liked Robinson. It's just too bad he couldn't show Duncan how to shave a couple inches from his 2-head.

One of the more underappreciated players of his era, IMO. He was a complete package. Had an incredible skill set and athleticism that matched it. Probably the fastest center I've ever seen, even to this day. Carried some Spurs teams that didn't have very much talent on them as far as he could, and was then blamed for not being able to get them further than he did, which was completely unfair. And off the court, he's always been considered one of the biggest gentlemen in the game. Congrats to him on a well-deserved inauguration.

I miss when NBA centers were this good.

Now it's just Dwight turning and dropping his shoulder every time

Originally posted by crzy:
I miss when NBA centers were this good.

Now it's just Dwight turning and dropping his shoulder every time

We just call them Power Forwards now.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by crzy:
I miss when NBA centers were this good.

Now it's just Dwight turning and dropping his shoulder every time

We just call them Power Forwards now.

So true.

Can't forget Yao though, hope he makes it back.

Stud.

Originally posted by iohk:

Olajuwon dominated a lot of people, and was completely out of his mind in those playoffs. He destroyed Shaq too. No shame on Robinson.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by iohk:

Olajuwon dominated a lot of people

Originally posted by IWAS:
understatement

, and was completely out of his mind in those playoffs

Originally posted by IWAS:
understatement

. He destroyed Shaq too

Originally posted by IWAS:
yep

. No shame on Robinson.

Originally posted by IWAS:
None at all.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by iohk:

Olajuwon dominated a lot of people, and was completely out of his mind in those playoffs. He destroyed Shaq too. No shame on Robinson.

haha i know i, i have tons of respect for the admiral, just felt like being an a*****e

Originally posted by iohk:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by iohk:

Olajuwon dominated a lot of people, and was completely out of his mind in those playoffs. He destroyed Shaq too. No shame on Robinson.

haha i know i, i have tons of respect for the admiral, just felt like being an a*****e

*insert Bush's banner here (Mission Accomplished)*

This just makes me laugh:

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
This just makes me laugh:

because bill walton is and always will be a d-bag?

Originally posted by iohk:

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
This just makes me laugh:

because bill walton is and always will be a d-bag?

Uhh....no. Just because it looks funny.