Both are important but the Admiral led us into the Timmy era. The 90s were like the “rising action” of the story before the “climax” which was the dynasty. Iceman was elite, but his era is disconnected from the dynasty era, which is the most important era in Spurs history. So I gotta go with David Robinson.
playoff97
For me, it comes down to whether you can tell the story of the NBA without them. While Gervin was a great player, I think you can tell the NBA’s story without him. On the other hand, you can’t tell the story of the NBA without David Robinson. Much respect to the Iceman—he was an incredible scorer, but like Bernard King, I don’t see him at the same elite level as someone like Dr. J. Robinson, with his all-around impact and leadership, is on a different tier in both NBA and Spurs history.
TheNFSIdentity
I’ve got immense respect for George Gervin since he was our first “superstar” player afaik, but there’s a reason David Robinson was one of the most popular players of his era and that was how he practically led the Spurs even as Tim came along. Not saying it’s a no-brainer, but D Rob was better for the Spurs from an objective standpoint.
Bonesawisready5
Robinson usually but Gervin laid ground work for us
jimmydunn
without iceman this team wouldn’t stay in SA
BoneDollars
Why rank them?
escvtt
David Robinson willingly became the backup star when Timmy was drafted so the team could be great. He then ushered that selflessness in spurs culture that won 5 championships in the coming decades. DR by far more impactful.
jhfenton
With Robinson, the Spurs aren’t the Spurs we love. Without Gervin, the Spurs don’t exist. They would have died with the rest of the ABA.
lesh17
This is like asking who’s your favorite child.
Joethetoolguy
Drob over iceman. Timmy number one all time tho
Fun-Software-5963
Gervin, Duncan, and Robinson are on my Spurs Mount Rushmore. The 4th is the subject of debate with my friends. Pop? Manu? Gilmore? Kawhi? Wemby?
That being said….Jordan once said Ice was his favorite player. Without Ice, the Spurs don’t exist. He put the sleepy little town on the map with his numerous all-star game appearances and 4 scoring titles….not to mention the finger roll that kids all over the country tried to emulate in pickup games during recess.
Fun-Software-5963
The great thing about this topic is that we’re able to debate 2 players named among the 50 all-time greatest.
latortillablanca
That retro font is fucking ice cold. Just like the iceman
2008and1
Really hard to say. Does San Antonio end up as the odd man out of the ABA merger if Gervin isn’t on the team? Do the spurs abandon SA in the late 80s/early 90s with no DRob?
That said I grew up in the 90s so David 100%.
CookOk7281
I think it’s a chain reaction thing both have an equally important impact on the franchise, you can’t have one without the other. You can’t build a house without a strong foundation, we’ve seen that play out to the tune of 5 championships.
Fletch4Life
Gervin could’ve won. Drob couldn’t
txdoses
It’s like asking which is more important water or air? You need both , and don’t know you need either until they’re gone.
18 Comments
David Robinson.
Both are important but the Admiral led us into the Timmy era. The 90s were like the “rising action” of the story before the “climax” which was the dynasty. Iceman was elite, but his era is disconnected from the dynasty era, which is the most important era in Spurs history. So I gotta go with David Robinson.
For me, it comes down to whether you can tell the story of the NBA without them. While Gervin was a great player, I think you can tell the NBA’s story without him. On the other hand, you can’t tell the story of the NBA without David Robinson. Much respect to the Iceman—he was an incredible scorer, but like Bernard King, I don’t see him at the same elite level as someone like Dr. J. Robinson, with his all-around impact and leadership, is on a different tier in both NBA and Spurs history.
I’ve got immense respect for George Gervin since he was our first “superstar” player afaik, but there’s a reason David Robinson was one of the most popular players of his era and that was how he practically led the Spurs even as Tim came along. Not saying it’s a no-brainer, but D Rob was better for the Spurs from an objective standpoint.
Robinson usually but Gervin laid ground work for us
without iceman this team wouldn’t stay in SA
Why rank them?
David Robinson willingly became the backup star when Timmy was drafted so the team could be great. He then ushered that selflessness in spurs culture that won 5 championships in the coming decades. DR by far more impactful.
With Robinson, the Spurs aren’t the Spurs we love. Without Gervin, the Spurs don’t exist. They would have died with the rest of the ABA.
This is like asking who’s your favorite child.
Drob over iceman. Timmy number one all time tho
Gervin, Duncan, and Robinson are on my Spurs Mount Rushmore. The 4th is the subject of debate with my friends. Pop? Manu? Gilmore? Kawhi? Wemby?
That being said….Jordan once said Ice was his favorite player. Without Ice, the Spurs don’t exist. He put the sleepy little town on the map with his numerous all-star game appearances and 4 scoring titles….not to mention the finger roll that kids all over the country tried to emulate in pickup games during recess.
The great thing about this topic is that we’re able to debate 2 players named among the 50 all-time greatest.
That retro font is fucking ice cold. Just like the iceman
Really hard to say. Does San Antonio end up as the odd man out of the ABA merger if Gervin isn’t on the team? Do the spurs abandon SA in the late 80s/early 90s with no DRob?
That said I grew up in the 90s so David 100%.
I think it’s a chain reaction thing both have an equally important impact on the franchise, you can’t have one without the other. You can’t build a house without a strong foundation, we’ve seen that play out to the tune of 5 championships.
Gervin could’ve won. Drob couldn’t
It’s like asking which is more important water or air? You need both , and don’t know you need either until they’re gone.