It took a while before David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs fulfilled his dream of becoming an NBA champion. He was the primary building block, and “The Admiral” knew he had to be patient.
Overall, Robinson knew it was a long and complex process. Spurs management was trying to assemble a competitive team around the top pick of the 1987 Draft. A clear outlook of things to come started in 1989 when David officially played his first NBA game. It was the 1989-90 season when San Antonio began to make the playoffs, and reaching the Finals would be within reach with the right personnel.
Taking the leadership role
The Spurs took in several players to help their new star, including Dennis Rodman, Sean Elliott, and Avery Johnson. But somehow, they fell short of providing the All-Star center with the boost needed to win their first NBA crown.
Regardless, this did not ruffle Robinson from continuously trying to lead the franchise. He understood that winning a championship was a learning process. Admitting that he needed the help of the right personnel, the Florida native also knew he had to step up as a leader to reach that NBA title dream.
“ Championships are a learning process. Very few guys step right in with a team that can win it. You have to learn how to be a leader, plus you have to have the players that can do it,” Robinson said in a New York Times article in 1994.
Everything changed after the arrival of Tim Duncan
Robinson and the Spurs waited until the 1998-99 season to achieve success. That run was anchored by D-Rob and second-year player Tim Duncan. They went to the NBA Finals, defeating the New York Knicks in five games. After years of waiting, Robinson released a sigh of relief. He admitted it was a memorable experience , fulfilling that dream of finally being an NBA champion.
“It was one of those lifetime fulfillment things; you never know if you’re gonna get there. Then all of a sudden, you get there, and it was the sweetest thing,” Robinson said on the Spurs’ Docuseries .
Ironically, the timing of Robinson’s first NBA title was convenient. Injuries started accumulating on “The Admiral,” forcing him to miss games. When on the court, it was noticeable that his performance was no longer what it used to be. Luckily, the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, who made an impact right away and, under Robinson's mentorship.
Nevertheless, Robinson mustered just enough strength to be around when the Spurs won their second NBA title in 2003. It was a sweet end to David’s decorated career, widely considered one of the best centers to play the game in college and the professional ranks.
Related: David Robinson on taking a backseat when Tim Duncan arrived in San Antonio: "It's not tough when you want to win"
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