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.
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