We continue our top five players in franchise history series with the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs franchise has had quite the history of great players, particularly over the last 25 to 30 years. The franchise just completed a historical run from 1999-00 through the 2016-17 season. During this stretch, the Spurs won four NBA titles as well as over 50 games each season. The year prior to the streak beginning, they won the NBA championship in a strike shortened season. The Spurs franchise has simply embodied greatness over the years. With that being said, let’s take a look at the top five players in San Antonio Spurs history!
5) Manu Ginobili
Manu Ginobili played his entire 16 year career in San Antonio. Despite starting only 349 out of 1,057 games played, he established himself as one of the most important Spurs players during their incredible run. His reliability, leadership and clutch plays are part of what made Ginobili so special. Therefore, Ginobili placing fifth on the list of the top five players in San Antonio Spurs history list is perfect.
Accomplishments: Two time All Star, two time All-NBA, four NBA titles, one time Sixth Man of the Year.
Stats in a Spurs uniform: 13.3 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game. 48% from the field, 37% from three point range, 83% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 3rd most games played, 1st in made three pointers, 5th in rebounds, 4th in assists, 1st in steals, 10th in blocks, 5th in points, 8th in steals per game, 6th in player efficiency rating, 5th in offensive win shares, 3rd in defensive win shares, 5th in total win shares, 5th in win shares per 48 minutes, 4th in box plus/minus, 1st in offensive box plus/minus, 3rd in value over replacement
4) George Gervin
Fourth on the top five players in San Antonio Spurs history list is George “The Iceman” Gervin. He spent 12 of his 15 seasons in San Antonio. Undoubtedly, Gervin is not only one of the best players in Spurs history, but also NBA history. He had two seasons in which he averaged 32 or more points per game. Additionally, he averaged over 21 points per game in all but his first year in San Antonio. It seems a bit crazy to have Gervin as the fourth best in San Antonio Spurs history. That is until you consider how ridiculous the top three is.
Accomplishments: 11 time All Star with the Spurs, seven time All NBA, two time All ABA, four time scoring champ, one time All Star Game MVP
Stats in a Spurs uniform: 26.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, 1 block per game. 51% from the field, 84% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 5th most games played, 3rd in rebounds, 6th in assists, 3rd in steals, 3rd in blocks, 2nd in points, 1st in points per game, 9th in steals per game, 5th in player efficiency rating, 3rd in offensive win shares, 6th in defensive win shares, 4th in total win shares, 10th in win shares per 48 minutes, 3rd in offensive box plus/minus, 4th in value over replacement
3) Tony Parker
Despite not having the advanced metrics that George Gervin possesses, Tony Parker is a good fit at third on the top five players in San Antonio Spurs history list. He meant so much to all of those 50 win Spurs teams. Parker was the point guard of four NBA championship teams. Additionally, he stepped up big time in the playoffs, increasing his scoring average by two points per game. He was also a clutch player all throughout his time in San Antonio.
Accomplishments: Six time All Star, four time All NBA, four time NBA champion, one time Finals MVP
Stats in a Spurs uniform: 15.8 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 5.7 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game. 49% from the field, 33% from three point range, 75% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 2nd most games played, 8th in made three pointers, 8th in rebounds, 1st in assists, 5th in steals, 4th in points, 4th in assists per game, 4th in offensive win shares, 4th in defensive win shares, 3rd in total win shares, 5th in value over replacement
2) David Robinson
David Robinson is clearly one of the top 15 to 20 players in NBA history. The Admiral put together a whale of a career in San Antonio. He was an outstanding defensive player, fantastic rebounder, great scorer as well as a powerful leader. Robinson averaged 23 or more points per game in seven of his 14 seasons in a Spurs uniform. That includes an incredible average of 29.8 in 1993-94, which led the NBA. Additionally, he averaged double figure rebounds nine times, which is amazing. He also averaged three blocks or more seven times in his career, including a league leading 4.5 in 1991-92. Robinson is certainly the perfect fit at number two on the top five players in San Antonio Spurs history list.
Accomplishments: 10 time All Star, 10 time All NBA, two time NBA champion, eight time All Defensive Team, one MVP, one time Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year
Stats in a Spurs uniform: 21.1 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, 3 blocks per game. 52% from the field, 74% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 4th most games played, 2nd in rebounds, 7th in assists, 2nd in steals, 2nd in blocks, 3rd in points, 10th in FG%, 2nd in points per game, 6th in rebounds per game, 7th in steals per game, 2nd in blocks per game, 1st in player efficiency rating, 7th in offensive rating, 3rd in defensive rating, 2nd in offensive win shares, 2nd in defensive win shares, 2nd in total win shares, 1st in win shares per 48 minutes, 1st in box plus/minus, 4th in offensive box plus/minus, 2nd in defensive box plus/minus, 2nd in value over replacement
1) Tim Duncan
As great as David Robinson was, Tim Duncan was even better. The Big Fundamental was always recognized for his greatness, although underappreciated at times. Most likely that is because he was not flashy whatsoever. Instead, Duncan was so great fundamentally, hence the nickname. Duncan scored, rebounded, played great defense and was an underrated passer. The big man led the Spurs to five NBA titles during his 19 years. He stabilized and energized the franchise for the entirety of his career. Lastly, he was the quintessential franchise player for San Antonio. All of this, plus the numbers, make Duncan number one on the top five players in San Antonio Spurs history list.
Accomplishments: 15 time All Star, 15 time All NBA, five time NBA champion, 15 time All Defensive Team, two time MVP, Rookie of the Year, three time Finals MVP, one All Star Game MVP
Stats in a Spurs uniform: 19 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game, 2.2 blocks per game. 51% from the field, 70% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: Most games played, 1st in rebounds, 3rd in assists, 6th in steals, 1st in blocks, 1st in points, 9th in points per game, 5th in rebounds per game, 3rd in blocks per game, 2nd in player efficiency rating, 2nd in defensive rating, 1st in offensive win shares, 1st in defensive win shares, 1st in total win shares, 3rd in win shares per 48 minutes, 3rd in box plus/minus, 3rd in defensive box plus/minus, 1st in value over replacement
Last Word
These are the top five players in San Antonio Spurs history! Let us know what your top five looks like in the comments or on social media.
Others considered: Kawhi Leonard, Steve Smith, Sean Elliott, Alvin Robertson
Stats acquired from: https://www.basketball-reference.com/
Main Image:Embed from Getty Images
