San Antonio Spurs Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of

the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom

suggests that players from different eras cannot be compared.

However, I have decided to defy those odds. 

The San Antonio Spurs were established in 1967 as the Dallas

Chaparrals as part of the original version of the ABA (American

Basketball Association). In 1970-1971, the franchise was known

as the Texas Chaparrals in an attempt to make it more regional

as the team had minimal interest.

As a result, a group of 36 San Antonio businessmen led by

Angelo Drossos, John Schaefer and Red McCombs worked out

a “lend-lease” deal with the Dallas ownership group. Drossos

and his group would lease the team for three years with an option

to purchase. They were allowed to move the team to San Antonio

immediately, but and would return the team to Dallas if no

purchase occurred by 1975. The franchise has called San Antonio

home since 1973. 

Though the franchise lacks the glitz of the Los Angeles Lakers,

Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls, the

Spurs have parlayed historic success in their own right. For

openers, the franchise has five NBA titles to its resume. The first

one came in a strike-shortened season (1998-1999, 4-1 over the

New York Knicks) followed by three in the span of five seasons

(2003 -- 4-2 over the New Jersey Nets, 2005 -- 4-3 over the

Detroit Pistons, 2007 -- 4-0 over the Cleveland Cavaliers). 

Thereafter, the franchise experienced a series of postseason

disappointments including an excruciating 4-3 loss to the Miami

Heat in 2012-2013. One year later, the franchise avenged that

defeat with a 4-1 dismantling of the Heat. Until recently missing

the playoffs in 2019-2020, the Spurs had a streak of 22

consecutive years of reaching the NBA postseason snapped.

That record tied the 1950-1971 Philadelphia 76ers streak. The

Spurs have also reached the postseason in 39 of their 45 years

in San Antonio. 

Today, I put together a Spurs Dream Team. There are some rigid

criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have

played for the Spurs for a minimum of four seasons -- no

exceptions. 

Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard

needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This

roster is all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.

This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame

is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise.

The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with

longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard

to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Spurs during a season of being a champion does

not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the

Mavericks during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot

on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers

get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into

positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players

encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position

specific, after that it will be the best of the rest with four years

playing for the franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team,

don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you

would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the

list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starting five

Point guard: Tony Parker

Parker was overlooked and underappreciated for much of his

career, often playing in the shadow of other point guards such

as Steve Nash and Chris Paul. Parker, however, was the engine

that drove the Spurs Dynasty. Despite being small in stature he

frequently got many points in the paint whether it was a layup or

teardrop shot.

Parker is likely a future Hall-of-Famer and led the Spurs to four of

their five championships. Parker was NBA Finals MVP in 2007.

He was a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA second team.

Parker averaged 15.5 points and 5.6 assists throughout his

career.

Shooting guard: George Gervin

While it’s tempting to put Manu Ginobli as a starter, Gervin was

“The Iceman” because of his cool demeanor on the court. his

trademark shot was the finger roll layup. Gervin is one of the

best scorers in NBA history despite lacking notoriety because

of a missing championship pedigree. Gervin, however, was the

best Spur until David Robinson and Tim Duncan arrived.

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Gervin was a nine-time All-

Star, NBA All-Star game MVP in 1980, seven-time All NBA (five

as a first-teamer), four-time NBA scoring champion and three-

time ABA All-Star. For his career, he averaged 25.1 points per

contest. 

Small forward: Kawhi Leonard

Leonard's tenure in San Antonio did not end on friendly terms

but his talent and contributions are too much to leave him out of

the starting lineup. Leonard, who is now a Los Angeles Clipper,

was nicknamed “The Claw” because of his ball-hawking

defensive skills. Leonard is one of the premier perimeter

defenders in the NBA and has evolved into a spectacular

offense of talent as well.

Leonard was NBA Finals MVP in 2014, four-time All-Star and

four-time All NBA, two as a first-teamer. Leonard was also NBA

Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2015

and 2016. He was also NBA All-Rookie first team in 2010 and

the NBA steals leader in 2015. 

Power forward: Tim Duncan

The fortunes of the Spurs franchise changed in 1997 when

Duncan was taken with the first pick in the 1997 NBA draft. The

Spurs went 20-62 the previous season when David Robinson

missed most of the season with a knee injury. There is not a

more iconic player, with apologies to David Robinson, in

franchise history than Duncan. Nicknamed “The Big

Fundamental” because he was so sound at every aspect of

his game, Duncan spent all 19 years of his career with the

Spurs and delivered five championships.

Though Duncan’s image was labeled as boring, you can also

add the words great and productive. Duncan was a three-time

NBA Finals MVP and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. He

was a 15-time All-Star and 15-time All NBA, 10 as a first-team

selection. He was also, besides his great offense of talents,

one of the best interior defenders in the NBA. Duncan was in

a 15-time NBA All Defensive team selection. He was also

NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998. Duncan is slated to be

inducted into the Hall of Fame in May of 2021.

Center: David Robinson

Together Robinson and Duncan formed a formidable frontcourt

combination that helped deliver two of the franchise’s five

championships. Individually, Robinson was at times an

unstoppable force at both ends of the court. Robinson was

incredibly mobile and is one of the small group of players who

have scored over 20,000 career points in the NBA along with

one of only four players to have recorded a quadruple-double.

Before Duncan arrived, Robinson endured plenty of playoff

disappointments but helped the franchise win two of those titles.

Robinson was the MVP in 1995, 10-time All-Star. He was the

NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 on the way to a Hall

of Fame career.

Bench (alphabetical order)

LaMarcus Aldridge:

Aldridge spent much of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers

before signing a free-agent contract with the Spurs near the end

of the Duncan era. Aldridge has been somewhat of an enigma

during his time in San Antonio but he has had a lot of productive

minutes. Aldridge is known mostly for his fadeaway shot but has

appeared in three All-Star games as a Spur. In a Spurs uniform,

Aldridge is averaging 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds in one game.

John Beasley:

Beasley played eight seasons in the ABA, four is a member of

the Chaparrals. Beasley was a three-time ABA All Star in that

span and ABA All-Star MVP in 1969. He was also a two-time All

ABA second-team selection. Beasley averaged 17.9 points and

11.0 rebounds during his time with the Chaparrals. 

Bruce Bowen:

To put it mildly, Bowen was an offensively challenged player. He

never attempted more than 600 field goals in an 82-game season

but Bowen was one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA

history. Though he never put up eye-popping numbers, Bowen’s

defense helped the Spurs win three championships in the 2000s.

Bowen was an eight-time NBA All-Defensive selection, five as a

first-teamer. The Spurs thought so highly of Bowen, they retired

his No. 12 jersey. Bowen frequently drew the assignment of

defending great wing players like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade

and LeBron James. 

Sean Elliott:

Elliott played all but one of his 12 seasons with the Spurs. he was

a two-time All-Star and NBA All-Rookie second team in 1990.

Elliott's Legacy, however, was his quietly consistent play in which

he averaged 14.4 four points and 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in

his career. Elliott can eat for free for a long time in San Antonio

because of his Memorial Day miracle in Game 2 of the 1999

Western Conference Finals that led to the franchise’s first NBA

championship. Elliott's courageousness also stems from him

having recovered from a kidney transplant to continue playing.

Artis Gilmore:

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Gilmore spent 18 seasons

on four different teams, five with the Spurs. Gilmore and Gervin

formed an outstanding tandem for his time in San Antonio.

Gilmore's contribution helped the Spurs win a then franchise

record 53 regular season games, advancing to the Western

Conference Finals. Gilmore made three of his six career All-Star

appearances as a Spur and in that span averaged 16.1 points

and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Manu Ginobli:

On the surface, Ginobili's numbers of 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds

and 3.8 assists do not look like a future Hall-of-Famer. Ginobili,

however, was no less valuable in delivering four of the

franchise's five NBA championships. Ginobili's style was known

to dazzle those who watched. Ginobili was a two-time All-Star,

NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2008 and NBA All-Rookie second

team in 2003.

Avery Johnson:

Johnson was nicknamed “The Little General” because of his

small stature. Johnson played for six different teams during his

16-year career and was the definition of perseverance. Johnson

will forever be in the hearts of Spurs fans for his game winning

shot in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA finals that led to the franchise’s

first of five NBA championships. Johnson's best seasons came

in a Spurs uniform, averaging 10.1 points, 6.9 assists and 1.1

steals. 

Larry Kenon:

Kenon’s five seasons with the Spurs came during the franchise's

transition from the ABA to the NBA. Kenon also spent some

productive seasons playing alongside George Gervin. Kenon had

ABA All-Star and NBA All-Star appearances in a Spurs uniform.

During his five seasons in San Antonio, Kenon averaged a

double-double with 20.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

Alvin Robertson:

Robertson tends to be forgotten since he played for the Spurs

before they formed their championship culture. Robertson had five

impactful seasons with the Spurs from 1984-1989. Two of

Robinson's three All-Star appearances came with the Spurs. He

was also the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986 and was

the Most Improved Player that season. Three times, Robertson led

the NBA in steals and he is one of four players in NBA history to

record a quadruple-double. 

James Silas:

Silas played a total of nine seasons with the franchise, eight for the

Spurs and one with the Chaparrals. Silas was a two-time ABA All-

Star, ABA All Rookie team in 1973 and is a member of the ABA All-

Time team. Silas was the first player to have his jersey retired by

the Spurs, becoming one of a total of 10. During his time as a Spur,

Silas averaged 16.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1

steals. 

Head coach: Greg Popovich

Known as “Coach Pop” or simply “Pop,” Popovich is undeniably

one of the best coaches in NBA history. Popovich owns the record

for most regular-season wins in his career and as one of only five

coaches to win five NBA championships (Red Auerbach, Phil

Jackson, Pat Riley, John Kundla). Though the public frequently

sees his abrasive side, Popovich coached and loved hard when it

came to his players. Popovich also won in a variety of different

ways, with a low-scoring defensive-minded approach led by

Robinson and Duncan along with free flowing ball movement

between the likes of Ginobili, Parker, Duncan and Leonard while

also remaining a strong defensive team.

Team: 2013-2014

This version of the Spurs showed how powerful motivation could

be as a tool. The previous season the Spurs let the NBA

Championship slip through their fingers, losing in seven games

to the Miami Heat. In the finals rematch, the Spurs blew the Heat’s

doors off 4-1 winning by an average of 18 points in their four

victories. The Spurs did it with a picturesque passing game and

maintaining their strong defensive principles. Led by the veteran

corps of Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan along with a budding star

in Leonard, who was the NBA Finals MVP. The Spurs outlasted

the Dallas Mavericks seven games in the first round. In the

second-round, the Spurs jettisoned Portland in five games. In

the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs outlasted the

Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. 

Houston Rockets Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of

the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom

suggests that players from different eras cannot be compared.

However, I have decided to defy those odds. 

The Houston Rockets were established in 1967 as the San Diego

Rockets. Their stint in San Diego, however, was short-lived as the

franchise moved to Houston in 1971. Poor on court performance

and low attendance played the biggest role in the move. The

team kept the name “Rockets” because of Houston’s long history

in the space industry. 

The Rockets had their peaks and valleys in their initial decade but

have been a regular postseason participant and a franchise that is

frequently in the conversation for Western Conference title

contention. The Rockets reached two NBA Finals (1981, 1986) in

the 1980s, losing both times to the Boston Celtics. In the 1990s,

the Rockets reached the NBA mountaintop with back-to-back titles

in 1994 and 1995. Those two seasons, the Chicago Bulls dynasty

took a hiatus with Michael Jordan going on a brief retirement. 

The Rockets have been back to the Western Conference three

times, losing to Utah in 1997 and Golden State in 2015 and 2018.

The latter defeat, however, was a disappointment with the Rockets,

led by MVP James Harden winning a franchise-record 64 games. 

Today, I put together a Rockets Dream Team. There are some rigid

criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have

played for the Mavericks for a minimum of four seasons -- no

exceptions. 

Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs

to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is

all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.

This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is

the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The

number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity

also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare

eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Rockets during a season of being a contender does

not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Rockets

during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team.

Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into

positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players

encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific,

after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the

franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t

just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would

remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask

yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starters

Point guard: Calvin Murphy

Team success at times eluded the Rockets during Murphy's tenure,

they made the playoffs and just six of his 13 seasons. Murphy,

however, enjoyed an outstanding Hall of Fame career. Murphy

compiled career averages of 17.9 points, 4.2 assists and 2.1

rebounds per game. Though Murphy was undersized, he made

good on 48.2 % of his field goal attempts.

Murphy was NBA All-Rookie first team in 1971. While he only made

one All-Star appearance, 1979, he's a starter on this team as much

for his longevity as anything else. Murphy was a member of the

Rockets team that made the NBA Finals in 1981. 

Shooting guard: James Harden

Harden, nicknamed “The Beard,” spent his first three seasons in

the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since becoming a

Rocket, Harden has become the highest scoring left-handed

shooter in NBA history.  

While Harden has his critics for his ball dominant approach and

his defensive liability, there's no doubting his offensive impact.

Harden owns a career average of 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds

and 6.3 assists per game.  Harden was the MVP in 2018, eight-

time All-Star and 6 time all NBA first team. 

Small forward: Tracy McGrady

Until knee injuries cut McGrady's career short, he was one of

the most prolific scorers in the NBA. Though criticized for lack

of team success in the postseason, McCrady's most spectacular

moment came when he scored 13 points in 35 seconds to

defeat the San Antonio Spurs. McGrady spent six seasons with

the Rockets and even with two injury-plagued seasons averaged

22.7 points, 5.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game.

During his time as a Rocket, the presence of McGrady and Center

Yao Ming helped the franchise become a perennial playoff

participant. McGrady also helped the Rockets go on a 22-game

winning streak in 2007-2008, at the time the second longest in

NBA history.

Power forward: Ralph Sampson

Much of Sampson's legacy is defined by what he could have

been but in his short time with the Rockets, Sampson was

spectacular. Sampson and frontcourt mate Hakeem Olajuwon

formed but was known as the Twin Towers that helped the

Rockets reach the NBA finals in 1986. Sampson averaged 21

points per game as a rookie along with 19.7 points and 10.5

rebounds along with 1.9 block shots in his career with the

Rockets.

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Sampson was

NBA Rookie of the Year in 1984, NBA All-Star game MVP in

1985, and was a four-time All-Star. Back injuries however

curtailed much of Samson's game for the rest of his career

which lasted until 1992 with three different teams. 

Center: Hakeem Olajuwon 

The Rockets have an embarrassment of riches at this position

but Olajuwon, who was nicknamed “The Dream,” is one of the

best players in NBA history who was extremely skilled both

offensively and defensively, Olajuwon had a vast array of

moves in the low post and was a very skilled perimeter

shooter. He was also a very exceedingly skilled all-around

player as he is the only one in NBA history to record more

than 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season.

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Olajuwon led the

Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships and was MVP

in both series. He was NBA MVP in 1994, 12 time All Star

and 12 time All NBA (six as a first teamer), two-time Defensive

Player of the Year and nine-time NBA All Defensive Team,

four as a first-teamer. 

Bench (alphabetical order)

Clyde Drexler:

Drexler’s Hall of Fame career is mostly associated with his

time with the Portland Trail Blazers but the former University

of Houston Star returned home midway through the 1994-

1995 season to help the Rockets win the backend of back-

to-back NBA titles. On the way to a Hall of Fame career,

Drexler was a 10-time All Star who averaged 19.0 points,

6.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game in his time as a

Rocket. 

Steve Francis:

Francis played for the Rockets for six seasons and two

different stints, including his first five in the NBA. All three of

Francis's All-Star appearances came in a Rockets uniform.

Francis was also the NBA Co-Rookie of the Year in 2000

with Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers. During his

time in Houston, Francis averaged 19.0 points per game,

6.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists. 

Elvin Hayes:

Hayes played the majority of his Hall of Fame

career with the Washington Bullets but started and finished

his career with the Rockets. Besides being a prolific scorer,

Hayes was extremely durable in that he played at least 80

games in all 16 seasons that he played in the NBA. Hayes

was the NBA scoring champion in 1969 and NBA All Rookie

first team that same season. During his tenure with the

Rockets, Hayes averaged 20.6 points and 12.2 rebounds

per game. 

Robert Horry:

Horry played for four different teams in a 16-year career,

accumulating 7 NBA championship rings. Horry is one of

only nine players in NBA history to accomplish such a feat

and the only one that did not play for the 1960s Boston

Celtics. Horry was not big on statistical contributions but

his best seasons numerically were with the Rockets

averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per

game. Horry was second-team NBA All Rookie in 1993.

Moses Malone:

If not for the presence of Olajuwon, Malone would be a

starter. Malone was one of the best rebounders in NBA history.

Throughout the mid-70s Malone teamed up with Calvin Murphy

with some pretty good Houston teams. On the way to a Hall of

Fame career,  Malone averaged 24 points, 15 rebounds and

made the All-Star team in all but one season as a member of

the Rockets.  

Yao Ming:

Ming's legacy is a mixture of what he could have been and

what he was. Ming's career was eventually derailed by foot

injuries as he only played five games in his last two seasons.

Ming, however, was a dominant player when he was healthy

and helped the game of basketball from a global standpoint

in his home country of China. Ming averaged 19 points, 9.2

rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots on his way to a Hall of Fame

career that saw him make eight All-Star games. 

Robert Reid:

Reed played a total of 10 years for the Rockets, taking a one-

year hiatus from basketball in the process. He played a

mixture of shooting guard and small forward. During his time

in a Rockets uniform, Reed averaged 11.6 points, 4.9 rebounds

a 3.0 sister game. 

Kenny Smith:

Many generations of fans only know Smith as a studio analyst

on TNT for Inside the NBA. Smith, however, will always be

remembered in Rockets lore for his role in guiding the team to

back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Smith's

regular-season numbers as a Rocket were modest at 12.6

points and 5.3 assists per game but his postseason

performance in that span was incredible.

Otis Thorpe:

Thorpe was a durable player throughout his career at one point

starting 542 consecutive games and at one time held the streak

for longest consecutive games played. Thorpe was an integral

part of the Rockets 1994 NBA championship team but was

traded the following year to Portland that brought Drexler back

to Houston. In his career with the Rockets, Thorpe averaged

15.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. 

Rudy Tomjanovich: 

Tomjanovich is mostly known for being sucker punched by

Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers and

being sidelined for five months as a result. Tomjanovich,

however, spent his entire career with the Rockets and was a

five-time All-Star. Tomjanovich averaged 17.4 points, 8.1

rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. 

Head coach: Rudy Tomjanovich

Tomjanovich has multiple legacies with the

Rockets. After spending years as a scout and assistant

coach under Bill Fitch and Don Chaney, Tomjanovich

became the interim head coach in 1991-1992. He had the

interim tag lifted the following year and led the Rockets to

a Midwest Division Championship. Tomjanovich guided the

Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and

1995. After winning the second title as the No. 6 seed,

winning nine road games and sweeping the Orlando Magic

in the NBA Finals, Tomjanovich uttered the legendary quote,

“Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” No coach

in Rockets history has guided the franchise to more victories

than Tomjanovich, who was a prime example of somebody

that coached with his heart and soul on the way to a Hall of

Fame inductee. 

Team: 1993-1994. 

The Rockets have had more talented teams in their franchise’s

history but none worked like an ensemble as this version,

which won the first of two NBA titles on the way to winning

back-to-back championships. With Michael Jordan taking a

brief hiatus from the Chicago Bulls, the Rockets took advantage

of their chance to climb the summit of the NBA. Houston averaged

101 points per game and yielded just 96.8 on the defensive

end. Olajuwon was a dominant force at both ends of the court

and had a solid surrounding cast with Vernon Maxwell, Robert

Horry, Sam Cassell, Otis Thorpe, Kenny Smith. The Rockets

outlasted the New York Knicks for Games 4-3 in the NBA

Finals.