David Robinson Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
The 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame class will be remembered for one man, Michael Jordan. While Jordan is arguably the greatest player of all time and revolutionized the league, he was never My Guy. I have ultimate respect and admiration for him as a player and an icon but My Guy was David Robinson.
I was ten years old when Robinson entered the league in 1989 to play for the San Antonio Spurs. (He was actually drafted number one overall in 1987 but had to fulfill two years of his obligation to the Naval Academy before joining the league.) For some unknown reason that became my team. Don't ask me why or how. I became a Spurs fan and David Robinson became My Guy.
Dozens of my trapper keepers were adorned with his number "50" and too many portraits were attempted by me in art class. I remember having a long sleeve David Robinson white T-shirt that had arrows
and targets on the elbows to remind you when playing ball to "always use your elbows." I remember the lame "Mr. Robinson's neighborhood" campaign Nike tried to roll out in the '90s. I don't remember this horrible video game he put his name on. I remember his NBA Hoops rookie card with him posting up and calling for the ball. I'll never forget him scoring 71 points on the final day of the 1993-94 season to win the scoring title from Shaquille O' Neal. The following year he won the MVP award and faced his in-state rival in the playoffs. After getting abused by Hakeem Olajuwon that year in the postseason it left no doubt who was the best center in the game and the sad realization that Mr Robinson would never be one the truly greats. I remember Robinson getting ejected for the first time of his career the game immediately following his wedding. I kinda liked that. I can recall the Spurs starting lineup during his prime without effort: Avery Johnson at the point, Vinny Del Negro at shooting guard, Sean Elliot at small forward, Terry Cummings doing his thing at power forward, and big D in the middle.
Robinson received a late career gift when after a horrible injury-riddled season the Spurs had the No. 1 pick in 1998 and selected Tim Duncan. Duncan allowed Robinson to finally claim a title in the strike-shortened season of 1999. And again in 2003 in Robinson's final season they were crowned champions. But by then it was Duncan's team and he was only a role player. Still here are the facts about his career: No 1 draft pick, rookie of the year, 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, 1995 MVP, two-time NBA champion, 10-time all star, 4-time all NBA team, member of the 1992 USA Dream Team, named one of the NBA's top 50 all time players in 1996, and only the fourth player to score 70+ points in a game. A worthy Hall of Famer.
I never really enjoyed his late career playoff runs and championships because sometime in the late 90's me and the Spurs had an amicable divorce. My interest in the NBA was waning and I think the year of Robinson's season-ending injury I needed something to revitalize my fandom. I locked onto a young high school kid from Philadelphia by way of Italy who had been acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day. Even after the roller coaster career of Kobe Bryant and his off court dramas, I
can't say I regretted it. I'm sure one day soon this marriage will end too when Bryant decides to move on from L.A. and I'll search out a new franchise to invest my interest in. (Johnny Flynn, I can be easily swayed to the Timberwolves camp.) I still always rooted for Robinson personally and it seems like he was always a true stand-up guy. The NBA renamed their award for outstanding charitable efforts in honor of Robinson. Just an all around good person. So enjoy these clips... And here's to you Mr. Robinson...
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