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

Robert Kleeman

Columnist Written on August 12, 2008

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SF: Bruce Bowen (2001-?)

Bowen is a rare defensive star. When he guards a marquee player, that matchup usually dominates the pregame discussion (see Nash, Steve).

Bowen journeyed between seven teams before the Spurs offered him a shot at a championship. He entered the NBA as an undrafted, semi-tall guy with a flavorless game.

With hard work and dedication, he has parlayed a once-minimal contract with the Spurs into a more than seven-year tenure that should earn his jersey a spot in the rafters.

Call him what you will and bemoan his sometimes-questionable defensive tactics, but bookmark his story as a lesson. He started more than 350 consecutive games, and helped the Spurs win three championships with his defense and ONE signature shot (at 36, he is a physical freak).

San Antonio's hardwood has hosted many veterans who play every night just to keep a roster spot, and Bowen heads the table.

PF: Fabricio Oberto (2005-?)

Many role players have no idea what 'supporting cast' means. Watching Luke Walton and Vlade "Space Cadet" Radmanovic heave moronic shots instead of moving the ball in the NBA Finals reminded me of this epidemic.

Even if Oberto has averaged fewer than 20 minutes per game, frequently lands in foul trouble, and sports only three NBA seasons on his international resume, he does what a role player should.

Instead of trying to heroically win games with plays uncharacteristic of his talent, he embraces his role as the team's garbage man. He taps missed shots out to teammates as well as anyone in the NBA, and craftily finds open spots to score his points.

Sure, he plays with Argentine teammate Ginobili and the greatest power forward of all time—but he plays with them.

The best role players do not always win you games. They never lose you games. Oberto may grab 11 rebounds one night and two rebounds the next. His effort cannot be faulted.

Oberto earns a spot on my all-time list because epitomizes the definition of a role player—do what team management pays you to do, with hustle and intelligence.

PF: Robert Horry (2003-?)

Does Horry deserve a spot in Springfield?

It saddens me that fans in Phoenix and New Orleans will remember two plays that were commonplace in the '90s as a summary of Horry's career.

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