Those who know the history of San Antonio's only pro sports franchise can appreciate that it still exists there.
Few picked the small market Spurs to succeed in all the ways they have.
When people referred to San Antonio as a "dust bowl" in 1972, there were far less rebuttals available. San Antonio now boasts the ninth-largest population in the United States, and has headquartered some of its most successful corporations, including Clear Channel Communications and AT&T—which recently skipped town.
The Spurs embody San Antonio—not everyone likes to look at them, but no one can deny their presence or greatness.
A group of 36 investors, including Central Texas legend Red McCombs, for whom UT-Austin's business school and a string of car dealerships are named, purchased the Dallas Chaparrals in 1972 and moved them to San Antonio.
Some things about that '72 team stuck—the silver and black motif and the noisy and obnoxious fans—and others didn't. Imagine Bruce Bowen in a red, white and blue "Gunslingers" jersey. Fitting, no? Even Spurs fans can laugh at popular conceptions of the team's players.
The contrast between a 1970s team that belonged to James Silas and George Gervin and the 2000s team that Tim Duncan has manned is stark.
McCombs fired coach Tom Nissalke after a decent 17-10 start because he detested the team's slow, defense-first approach.
New hire Bob Bass transformed the team into an offensive juggernaut. The Spurs' ABA record of holding opponents below 100 points 49 times turned to the squad heaving up record numbers of shots. "You shoot it 100 times, we'll shoot it 107 times," Gervin once said.
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6 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
sam the fact checker 10 months ago
what about Larry Kenon...if your going to have oberto, kerr, and other bench players from the present...you should look at bench players of the past...such as Mark Olberding...dunnoo...just found some...i agree with your top 5 though...but parker might be better than avery...
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Jay Sanders 10 months ago
WTF? Oberto, Kerr, and Horry?
You ever hear of Larry Kenon, Alvin Robertson, Artis Gilmore, Terry Cummings, Mike Mitchell, or Vinny Del Negro? Hell, even Dennis Rodman?
Can you also explain why you choose Avery over Tony? Tony has him beat all around, and also wasn't cut multiple times.
Gilmore would kill Fabricio, Cummings and Kenon would've destroyed Horry, and Del Negro and Robertson would've made Kerr look like D-League material.
Decent list, but adding Oberto, Kerr, and Horry and benching Parker makes this list lose all credibility.
Back to the drawing board for you.
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Robert Kleeman 10 months ago
Jay,
this is MY all-time list, not my interpretation of who would make an all-time list.
Tony is way better than Avery, in every sense, but that was not the sole criterion for my selection. Also consider that I'm not making a grand distinction between the bench and the starting lineup. This is merely a list, not one I would ever put on a basketball court.
Avery makes the starting five because his story is one that mirrors the franchise much more than Parker's does.
The Spurs were not supposed to stick around and neither was Avery. I get the feeling in list stories that people just skip to the list and skim over it. You cannot do that with this story, or with the Spurs.
I'll admit that Artis Gilmore is a snub and Cummings, too. However, I will repost what I wrote in the article.
"You will note there are few players from 1970s and early 80s. I have not watched hardwood classics from the Gervin era as much as I have with the Rockets, so my knowledge is less sound. Tim Duncan remains my favorite athlete in any sport, so it should not surprise anyone that most of these players wore Spurs uniforms during some part of his ongoing tenure."
I watched the Spurs when Robinson was the chief leader, but nowhere close to how I watch them under Duncan. It's hard for me to comment on many of the 70s and 80s players I haven't watched enough.
Gervin, Silas and Moore are givens. Your comment is the reason why I refuse to write all-time greatest player lists. I can never be sure that I have watched enough of every one of the great players that balled before I was born to fairly judge them.
Again, I will repeat my purpose in writing this piece. Some people create these lists and just pick the most talented players without having watched them. A better title for this list would be: Robert Kleeman's favorite Spurs since 1989, plus the three any bonehead can put on a list.
Thanks.
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Jay Sanders 10 months ago
I agree that this was a poor title for the article.
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Jay Sanders 10 months ago
I agree that this was a poor title for the article.
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Amanda Robertson 7 months ago
interesting article, but i wouldnt have Kerr on here. he was a good 3-shooter and clutch, but not great by any means.
i like your piece on duncan/ginobili.
well-wrote.
good stuff.
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