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• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 8/27/2009 8:53 PM UTC

  The Admiral - David Robinson
  

  Being a San Antonio Spurs fan, I found the NBA playoffs almost unbearable last year.  Not only because my team had the longest summer it has had since 2000, but also because of all the hype surrounding Dwight Howard.  A lack of real entertainment led me to find the video currently on my page (www.blogtalkradio.com/init2winit).  Watching this video reminds me that David Robinson is the most underrated center to play in the NBA. 
  
  This year I had to suffer through endless commentary on Howard's athleticism, Howard's power down low, Howard's defense, etc.  If you took Howard and added stunning agility, a little more shot blocking, and a jumper accurate to 18 feet, then you would have David Robinson.  Unless you grew up in San Antonio in the 1990's you will not understand how good a player and sportsman the Admiral was in the NBA.  You may not understand why Charles Barkley calls Robinson "the most athletic center ever."  David could, and did, guard every position on the court as well as being an offensive force.  Unfortunately, Mr. Robinson is remembered as an underachieving center because of one series against his rival, Hakeem Olajuwon.  What was a great series for Robinson in the 1995 Western C onference Finals, coincidentally happened to be the best of Olajuwon's career.  Add the fact that Houston simply had tougher role players (Mario "Junkyard Dog" Elie, Vernon Maxwell, and Robert Horry), and what can you do?
  
  Since his retirement, mention of Robinson is an unfortunate rarity.  Sports writers and media personnel compare players like Dwight Howard to Shaquille O'Neal and former Seattle Supersonic, Patrick Ewing.  Even some San Antonian's took Robinson for granted after watching him for so many years.  Though not mentioned, Robinson's accolades are too numerous to list.  Notably, he is one of only four to record a quadruple-double, and is the ONLY player in history to to win the Rebounding, Blocked Shots, and Scoring Titles and Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and MVP award. 
  
  Always a class act, Robinson took the high road by assuming responsibility for his losses and mistakes, and most importantly, by entrusting Tim Duncan with his role in the Spurs offense.  How many players in the NBA (besides Tim Duncan) would let other players be "the guy," and even accept less money so those players wouldn't leave town?  On the court, The Admiral was capable of the open court plays seen in my video post, and off of it he did even more for his new city.  In 2002, Hakeem Olajuwon walked into the sad Toronto night after his final professional game only to wonder why his Houston Rockets had traded him to a team in another country.  The following June, a confetti laden David Robinson posted his final double-double and hoisted his second trophy.  Instead of reading about ouyr franchise big man being shipped to the Great White North, our headline was far more appropriate: "Nice Guys Finish First."
  
  
  • Tags:
  • David Robinson
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Dwight Howard
  • Hakeem Olajuwon
  • NBA
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