Tim Duncan and David Robinson Anchor the San Antonio Spurs All-Time Squad

As with any marriage, there were fights, periods of apparent disinterest, and poor decisions. There is also undeniably a city-team kinship, comparable to New York's Yankees matrimony.

Robinson won an MVP trophy in the 1994-1995 season—the Spurs' 62-20 mark was then a franchise best—but lost to rival center Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets in the conference finals in six games.

Friction between Dennis Rodman, Robinson, and other players had injured the squad's chemistry, so management traded the rebounding specialist to the Chicago Bulls, where he would help Michael Jordan win three more titles.

Injuries to most of the starting lineup caused the Spurs to lose a miserable 62 games the following year and land in the lottery. San Antonio's enormous ping pong ball luck in 1997 signaled a new era in NBA history. Almost as remarkable as the Spurs continued success in Central Texas is the laundry list of trends Tim Duncan has reversed or intensified.

The Boston Celtics planned on acquiring Duncan. Fate changed a much predicted course—just as it did when Robinson mulled going elsewhere after the Navy.

Robinson kept the Spurs relevant in San Antonio, then teamed with Duncan to begin the oddest dynasty in pro sports history. Few perennial contenders have evoked more hatred or yawns than the Duncan-era Spurs.

Those who appreciate defensive commitment, ball movement, off-the-court class and teamwork will never consider the Spurs a "boring" or "typical" team. In an era marked by increasing athlete egotism, post-game whining and excuses, the Spurs have been excitingly different.

Popovich works the refs as well as any coach during a game and Duncan's face will always tell you what he thinks of a foul call. Duncan and Popovich also instill and enforce a culture of respect that rivals any in history.

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