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a list that
literally stretches from A (Blake Ahearn) to Z (Phil Zevenbergen).
Seventeen of those players have totaled 70 All-Star appearances in silver and black. Six of them have been named to
an All-NBA team a combined 40 times.
Eight players who have played in San Antonio are enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Seven players
have their number retired in the AT&T Center rafters.
You would think ranking the top 25 Spurs of all time would be difficult. What follows is one mans attempt at an
impossible task.
A note about the selection process: It was entirely subjective, weighing factors such as statistical performance,
league-wide accolades and, yes, championships. It only considered a players performance while with the Spurs. So
while Dominique Wilkins might be one of the top 100 NBA players in history, his one season with the Spurs at age 37
doesnt make the cut.
So too with Louis Dampier, another Hall of Famer who was past his prime by the time he arrived in San Antonio.
Without further set-up, here is the in no way definitive list of the top 25 Spurs, submitted to be debated at dinner
parties and mocked at happy hours:
There will be arguments to be made about some of the names farther down on this list. There is no argument here.
Ask coach Gregg Popovich to explain the Spurs unparalleled success over the past two decades, and he answers in
two words: Tim Duncan. Duncan is the Spurs all-time leader in almost every statistical category, except for assists
(he is third), steals (sixth) and free throws (second). He is a two-time NBA MVP and a three-time Finals MVP. More
significantly, Duncan leads the franchise in the most-telling category of all: NBA championship rings. The Spurs were
also-rans with zero titles before Duncan arrived. Now there are five banners swaying in the AT&T Center rafters.
The Admiral would have been the No. 1 name on this list when he retired in 2003. An athletic marvel with a
mathematicians brain, Robinson averaged 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and three blocks during his career. He won
the NBA scoring title in 1993-94 at 28.9 points per game, while also chippingin 10.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. He is
the only Spur in history to win a Rookie of the Year award, a Defensive Player of the Year award and a league MVP
trophy. The only knock on Robinson during the first decade of his Hall of Fame career was his failure to lead the
Spurs to a title. With the help of the only man above him on this list, Robinson filled that hole in his rsum in 1999
and 2003.
The Iceman never won an NBA championship, but he was the Spurs first superstar. With a flair for scoring that
was as prolific as it was creative, Gervin finger-rolled San Antonio onto the basketball map when he was sold from
the ABAs Virginia Squires to the Spurs in January 1974. Gervin spent parts of 12 seasons with the Spurs, and
averaged at least 25 points in seven of them. His best season of 33.1 points per game in 1979-80 remains a club
record. Two seasons later, he averaged 32.3. There might be a couple players on this list better than Gervin, but
none were as cool as Ice. Had Gervin not given Spurs fans a celebrity to embrace, it is doubtful the club would have
survived the transition to the NBA in 1976.
Its difficult to separate Parker from the following name on the list. Along with Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili
form the other two-thirds of their championship-era Big Three. They are also emblematic of the international
influence that has come to flavor the majority of the Spurs title teams. Nabbed with the 28th pick in 2001, Parker
became the most prolific point guard in team history. He is a six-time All-Star and the clubs all-time assist leader,
and his five All-NBA mentions trail only the players above him on this list.
Feel free to flip-flop Ginobili with Parker on the list if you wish. Popovichs insistence in bringing Ginobili off the
bench for most of his career have had a dampening effect on Ginobilis statistics, All-Star appearances and All-NBA
nods. He does have a Sixth Man of the Year award on his rsum, but the fiery Argentine probably would have had
more accolades had he been a full-time starter. The Spurs probably dont have as many championships without him.
He came within one vote of supplanting Duncan as the MVP of the 2005 Finals against Detroit. Like the others above
him on the list, Ginobili is a sure-fire Hall of Famer when he opts to retire. Not a bad return on the 57th pick in the
1999 draft.
Is this ranking a bit high for a player who is 24 years old and has only played four full NBA seasons? Maybe. Given
what Leonard has accomplished in a short time, maybe not. In 2014, he became the youngest player to win a Finals
MVP award since Magic Johnson. Last season, he became the Spurs first wing player to win a Defensive Player of
the Year award since Alvin Robertson in 1985-86. And Leonard is only getting better. Two months into his fifth
season, Leonard has emerged as the Spurs go-to threat on offense, averaging 20.7 points in his first 35 games. He is
a shoo-in to make his first All-Star appearance, and appears a serious contender for league MVP honors. Maybe it is
premature to rank Leonard so high on this list. Were putting him here to beat the rush.
Take away the events of May 31, 1999, and Elliott still belongs on this list somewhere. Make arguably the biggest
shots in team history, and you get a bump up the ladder. Theres not a Spurs fan alive who doesnt remember where
he or she was when Elliott hit the Memorial Day Miracle shot to help his team finish off a comeback against
Portland in Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference finals. The shot was made more miraculous with the revelation
that Elliott was playing with a serious kidney condition that would eventually require a transplant. The Spurs finished
off the Trail Blazers in a sweep, and a few weeks later defeated New York for the first championship in franchise
history.
MORE INFORMATION
Mike Gale:1975-80
Willie Anderson:1988-95
Rod Strickland: 1990-92
The A-Train was already 33 by the time he arrived in San Antonio, with his very best days of his Hall of Fame career
behind him. Still, Gilmore produced some fantastic seasons in silver and black. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 18
points and 12 rebounds his first year here, and made the first of two All-Star appearances in a Spurs uniform.
Despite the relatively short stint with the club, Gilmore remains sixth on the teams all-time list for total rebounds
and offensive rebounds, and is fifth in blocks.
In his time with the Spurs, Gervin only had one teammate finish ahead of him in a scoring race. That would be
Mitchell, whose 22.2 points per game led the Spurs in 1983-84. A prolific scorer in his own right, averaging at least
19.9 points in each of his first four seasons in San Antonio, Mitchell proved to be the perfect complement to the fun-
and-gun Gervin. With Mitchell firing away next to Ice, the Spurs made the conference finals in 1982 and 1983 but
couldnt get past the Showtime Lakers on either occasion.
SPURS
Spurs notebook: Though Bogut appears Cleveland-bound, Spurs to San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard, center, puts
up a shot past Los Angeles Lakers' Julius Randle during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26,
2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Spurs keep good times rolling, steamroll Lakers San Antonio Spurs'
Kawhi Leonard, center, puts up a shot past Los Angeles Lakers' Julius Randle during the first half of an NBA
basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) On Kobes old stage, Kawhi shines
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates his play with David Lee
#10 and Danny Green #14 during a 105-97 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 24, 2017 in Los
Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this
photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by
Harry How/Getty Images) Farewell tour or not, Manu still making waves LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Kawhi
Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots during a 105-97 Spurs win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on
February 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by
downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images
License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Learning to win without Leonard an important step San
Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin defends during
the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 105-97. (AP
Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Too many bigs a pleasant problem for Spurs San Antonio big man Pau Gasol returned for the
Spurs on Friday after missing 15 games due to injury. Spurs notebook: Gasol returns, but does not start
10. Alvin Robertson (1984-89)
A defensive menace who was also no slouch in the scoring department, Robertson was the Spurs one bona-fide star
during the most fallow era in club history. A Defensive Player of the Year in 1985-86 and a two-time NBA steals
leader, Robertson also averaged better than 17 points and five assists in four of his first five seasons. Three times he
averaged better than three steals per game, Robertson made four All-Star teams, but the Spurs never got past the
first round of the playoffs with him. It turned out to be poor timing. The summer Robinson arrived, the Spurs dealt
Robertson to Milwaukee for Terry Cummings.
Perhaps the unlikeliest member of this list. Having been twice waived by the Spurs before finally sticking, Johnson is
here as much for his contributions off the court as on it. Johnson retired as the clubs career assist leader, but it was
his role as the conscience of the Spurs original championship team in 1999 that ultimately landed his No. 6 in the
AT&T Center rafters. The Little General was instrumental in helping Gregg Popovich establish the culture that
remained the foundation through five championships. It was only fitting Johnsons baseline jumper at Madison
Square Garden sealed the Spurs first crown.
Special K was a force at forward, averaging at least 20 points in four of his five seasons in San Antonio and twice
averaging more than 11 rebounds. He played in three All-Star games with the Spurs before signing with Chicago
before the 1980-81 campaign.
Bowen had played for four teams in five seasons before signing with the Spurs in 2001. By the time he retired,
Bowen had established himself as the premiere defensive wing of his era and a cornerstone piece of three
championship teams. Bowen made seven All-Defensive teams in his time with the Spurs, including five straight first-
team mentions from 2004-08. Rivals from Ray Allen to Vince Carter called Bowen a dirty player. In the end, they also
had to call him something else a champion.
When the Spurs added Robinson and Elliott in the summer of 1989, they needed a veteran presence to help usher
the new rookies into the NBA. So they swapped Robertson for Cummings, who was coming off an All-Star campaign
in Milwaukee. Cummings proved to be the perfect bridge to a new era, averaging 19.3 points and 8.4 rebounds in his
first three Spurs seasons before injuries derailed his career.
Moores career remains a case of what might have been. After averaging a double-double in 1984-85 (12.8 points,
10 assists), Moores rise was interrupted when, at age 27, he contracted a rare form of meningitis called Desert
Fever. He appeared in only 78 games over the next three seasons while battling the illness including one with
New Jersey then returned for one farewell season in 1989-90. Even so, Moore remains in the top five on the
Spurs steals and assists lists.
Horrys reputation as a clutch shooter a.k.a Big Shot Bob had already been sealed before he arrived in San
Antonio at age 33. With the Spurs, Horry only added to the legend. His game-winning 3-pointer at Detroit in Game 5
of the 2005 NBA Finals remains one of the most iconic shots in franchise lore. Horry never averaged more than six
points in his five Spurs seasons. But his penchant for delivering in the playoffs again and again puts him on this
list.
Undersized and often unheralded, Rose nevertheless found a niche backing up Duncan for parts of eight seasons,
including two that ended in championships. A fan favorite because of his hustle, Rose enjoyed relative success
pestering larger players like Shaquille ONeal. In February 2005, Rose was traded to New York for Nazr Mohammed,
who became the starting center on the Spurs third title team later that summer.
Had this future Hall of Famer played more than two seasons with the Spurs, he would be higher on this list. Had his
personality not been so, ahem, outsized, he might be higher still. Rodman was 32 when the Pistons traded him to
the Spurs for Elliott (who would be traded back the following season). Though his flakiness and eccentricity might
have torpedoed a pair of promising seasons, his rebounding numbers were too overwhelming to be denied. Rodman
averaged 17.3 rebounds his first season with the Spurs and 16.8 in his second. His 1,367 rebounds in 1993-94
including 453 on the offensive glass remain tops in the Spurs record book. His record 32-rebound game against
Dallas in January 1994 also still stands.
The numbers Diaw has accrued with the Spurs dont scream off the page 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists. His
arrival off the Charlotte scrap heap in 2012, however, helped usher in the Spurs beautiful game era. Diaws
polished skills and positional versatility gave the Spurs the tools to ultimately knock off LeBron James Miami Heat in
the 2014 Finals.
Another latter-day reclamation project, Green emerged from the NBA Development League to become one of the
top 3-point gunners in club annals. His 192 3-pointers in 2014-15 are a club record, and he ranks second behind only
Ginobili on the Spurs career chart. Greens 27 3-pointers against Miami in 2013 remain a Finals record.
Finleys days as an All-Star were in the rear-view mirror when he opted to join the Spurs before the 2005-06 season
at age 32. Even so, it felt like the first major free-agent signing of the Popovich era. Arriving at a discount to chase a
championship, Finley twice averaged 10 points per game with the Spurs. When the Spurs held up their end of the
title bargain, sweeping Cleveland in the 2007 Finals, Finley kept the game ball from the decisive Game 4 as a
souvenir.
After establishing himself as a starter in Seattle, Barry arrived in San Antonio at age 33 and used his 3-point shooting
and passing skills to become a valued bench contributor. He won championships in 2005 and 2007, and still ranks
among the Spurs top 10 3-point shooters of all time.
A scoring star in the Italian League upon landing in San Antonio, Del Negro was a starter on some of the Spurs best
pre-championship teams. He averaged double figures in four seasons next to Robinson and Elliott, including in 1994-
95, when the Spurs reached the Western Conference finals. Del Negros best season came in 1995-96 when he
averaged 14.5 points and 3.8 assists.
The San Antonio Spurs have been one of the NBAs most consistent franchises since they joined the NBA from the
ABA in 1976. One reason for their success has been their ability to get players at the right time and then get rid of
players at the right time. Since 1976 only the Lakers have been a more consistent franchise than the Spurs, who
have missed the post season only four times.
The Spurs are one of only four NBA franchises to have more than three NBA titles; the other being Boston(17), Los
Angeles(14) and Chicago(6).
Here are the top 20 San Antonio Spurs players of all-time. Not included are players who played fewer than 70 games
with the team, or played the majority of their Spurs careers while the Spurs were still in the ABA.
Tim Duncan
The Big Fundamental was an obvious choice for the top player in franchise history. He is a two time MVP and has
been the catalyst for all four of their NBA championships. He is also arguably the greatest power forward to ever
play the game. He is solid on both sides of the ball, and while he is not a flashy player he gets things done.
David Robinson
Prior to drafting Robinson number one overall in 1987 the Spurs were a mediocre franchise who would make the
playoffs but rarely seen any success. Robinson changed all that, he would lead to team to the best record in the
West twice and to the 1994 Western Conference Finals . He was named the NBAs Most Valuable player in 1995 and
Defensive player of the year in 1992. He scored a career and franchise high 71 points against the Clippers in 1994 to
capture the NBAs scoring title as well. Robinson retired in 2003 after winning his second NBA championship, and
having played every year of his career with the Spurs.
George Gervin
The Ice man was the teams first star, he was acquired while the team was still in the ABA from Virginia. Gervin
would play 11 seasons with the Spurs, nine after they joined the NBA, and would become the teams all-time leading
scorer. He was an 11 time all-star with the Spurs and captured the 1980 All-star MVP award. Gervin was elected to
the NBAs Hall-of-Fame in 1996.
Sean Elliott
Elliott is one of the most beloved Spurs players of all-time, not only for his on the court heroics such as the Memorial
Day Miracle, but because of his off the court stuff as well. In 1993 Elliot was traded to the Pistons in a semi-
unpopular move for Dennis Rodman. One year later Elliot re-signed with the Spurs, than in 1999, not to long after he
made his shot in the Memorial Day Miracle, Elliott announced that he had a kidney dieses and would have to have a
kidney transplant. Elliot would miss most of the next season but come back and play 19 games to become the first
player to play in the NBA after a kidney transplant. Elliott was also a two time all-star with the Spurs and was David
Robinsons sidekick for many years and many deep playoff runs.
Larry Kenon
Part of the team when it merged with the NBA, Kenon was one of a few ABA all-stars to become NBA all-stars. He
was a three time All-star while with the Spurs, two of those while in the NBA. He averaged over 20 points a game in
all four of his NBA years with the Spurs. He was a solid defender, and at six-foot-nine an excellent ball thief, he
averaged 2 steals a game during two seasons with the Spurs which is an oddity for a player as big as he is.
Tony Parker
Parker was a steal for the Spurs, who found him at the bottom of the first round in 2001. He is a two time All-star
and won the 2007 NBA finals MVP. Parker is a pass first point guard who is on pace to become the teams all-time
leader in assists.
7 .Avery Johnson
The floor general for the Spurs during their first title run. Johnson, it could be argued, is the best point guard in Spurs
history. He is their all-time leader in assists. But Johnsons size sometimes hurt the Spurs as bigger players would try
to post him up. But Johnson never let that bother him, in fact in a 1992 interview he said it is what gave him the
strength and motivation to keep going.
8 . Alvin Robertson
A three time all-star with the Spurs, Robertson was a key figure in some of the early 80s teams. Robertson has the
reputation as a defensive specialist, and while he was that, he was able to showcase some of his offensive skills
while a member of the Spurs including a career high of 19.5 points per game in 1988. Robertson is also one of only
four players in the history of the NBA to achieve a quadruple double, and one of only two Spurs to ever do it. The
others who have achieved a quadruple double are David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Nate Thurmond.
9. Manu Ginobili
Another one of the current Spurs players. Manu was the steal of all steals in the NBA draft when he was picked
second to last in 1999. In his career with the Spurs, he has been a one time all-star and was the 2008 Sixth man of
the year; a role which he accepted in order to help balance the Spurs rotation.
19.Mark Olberding
A role player for the Spurs from 76 until 82, Olberding provided the Spurs with some defense and a little offense. He
was never a star but his career numbers with the Spurs are decent. He is their 9th all-time rebounded.
20.Colby Deitrick
A role player and fan favorite who was a member of the Spurs when they joined the NBA. He wasnt much of a
player stat wise, but he did bring energy and enthusiasm to the game at a time when those things werent seen as
important.