Bertling - Spurs Nation

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

P UTTING TOGETHER A BOOK ON THE SPURS MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS is like a parent of six children who is asked to pick his favorite three. It is an impossible task.

With five championships since 1999 and countless other significant wins and losses along the way, the challenge of narrowing down the hundreds of potential candidates is rather daunting.

Step No. 1 was to define the modern era of Spurs basketball. Rather than go all the way back to the ABA years, we decided to start this book with the momentous day in May nearly three decades ago when the Spurs won the NBA draft lottery. On May 17, 1987, the Spurs were fortunate on two fronts. They landed the No. 1 pick, and it happened to be the year David Robinson concluded his distinguished career at Navy. A couple years later, after Robinsons Naval hitch ended, the Spurs had their franchise center. The foundation was set for the multitude of victories that would follow.

There were a few setbacks along the way, but many more glorious moments, such as the day Robinson erupted for 71 points to claim the NBA scoring title in 1994.

Another lottery victory exactly a decade later brought a second all-time great to San Antonio in 1997, Tim Duncan.

With Robinson and Duncan combining forces, along with a little Memorial Day Miracle from Sean Elliott, Championship No. 1 made 1999 the greatest year ever to that point in San Antonios sports history. And it was only a tease of what was to follow.

Robinson called it a career after Title 2 in 2003, having helped make victory celebrations a staple of San Antonios June routine.

With dynamic guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili becoming bona fide superstars in their own right, a dynasty had been born.

If Robinson, Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are the Spurs Mount Rushmore of player legends, other heroes emerged to play consequential support roles. Substantive contributions from Elliott, Bruce Bowen, Avery Johnson, Robert Horry, Steve Kerr and dozens more helped transform San Antonio into the mecca of pro basketball.

Any Silver and Black fan knows the significance of the four-digit combinations 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. Those are the title years, the seasons the Spurs overcame New York, New Jersey, Detroit, Cleveland and Miami, respectively, in the NBA Finals. So dominant were the Spurs in those showdowns that only one Finals series 2005 went the full seven games.

Had it not been for legendary coach Gregg Popovich, there is no guarantee any of the titles would have materialized. Pop, the preacher of relentless team defense, showed the Spurs could win with a variety of offensive styles to complement their suffocating defense. From winning ugly to the beautiful game, the Spurs became an unstoppable force.

The future is bright too, with young star Kawhi Leonard and All-Star free-agent acquisition LaMarcus Aldridge continuing the tradition from the legends who preceded them.

The San Antonio Express-News has been there to chronicle every made basket, blocked shot and champagne celebration. Here are the most memorable moments in the Spurs modern era as told by the writers who witnessed and chronicled history in the making.

JIM LEFKO

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS SPORTS EDITOR

SPURS HIT JACKPOT

David Robinson holds up his new jersey as he is welcomed to San Antonio by Mayor Henry Cisneros (left) and Spurs chairman Angelo Drossos. Credit: Express-News Archives

By Glenn Rogers

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

N EW YORK Anchors Aweigh, my boys, the Spurs ship has come in.

The Spurs drew the No. 1 pick for the June 22 draft Sunday, and that means the Navys 7-foot-1 aircraft carrier, David Robinson. Robinson could plug the leaking San Antonio franchise.

Amid a game-show atmosphere at the Equitable Center during halftime of the Milwaukee-Boston playoff game, the picks of five teams had been announced and it was down to Spurs general manager Bob Bass and the Phoenix Suns Jerry Colangelo for the Nos. 1 and 2 slots.

Bass kept his eyes sharply averted from commissioner David Stern, who drew the next envelope from the glass barrel for No. 2.

Stern called out the Phoenix Suns, and Bass expelled a huge breath of air and banged the table with his fist. The No. 1 pick was his.

In the audience, Lucky Charm contest winner Roberto Pachecano cheered after the Spurs hit the jackpot. He had been waving and rattling a spur before and after each drawing of a card.

Team president Angelo Drossos son John waved his fist in the air and cheered as Bass shook hands with the representatives of the other teams.

We waited 14 years for a No. 1 pick, so whats two more years? the jubilant Bass said, referring to the fact that Robinson must serve a two-year hitch in the Navy.

You know, San Antonio is where they train all the military police, including the Navys, Bass said, hinting perhaps the talented center could be stationed in the Alamo City Now we have to put Angelo after him.

What a break. Its amazing, unbelievable. I could feel my heart thumping as the cards got closer to No. 2. I could hear it beating before they announced No. 2.

Weve never had a center like Robinson before so well definitely wait two years for him, Bass said I think we can sign him. I dont believe hell turn down two years of earnings and go back into the draft next year.

Robinson has said he hasnt decided whether he will sign with a pro club while serving his two years of active duty.

He has the option of going back into next years draft, or waiting still another year and becoming a true free agent in 1989. Robinson would be able to deal with any team.

Robinson has said he will play in this summers Pan American Games and wants to play in the 1988 Summer Olympics.

The Spurs can sign him and give him bonus money without affecting his amateur status as long as Robinson plays in no NBA games. The Spurs did the same with Alvin Robertson before he played in the 1984 Olympics with the victorious U.S. squad.

We wont have any excuses, weve run out of excuses, Drossos said. Now there is no reason why we cant have a good team. This has to be a plus for us or were in trouble. There will be no one to blame but the front office.

Red McCombs (right) shakes hands with David Robinson after the center announced he would play for the Spurs.