The Admiral Turns 60
- Jake C
- Aug 6
- 10 min read
Cover photo: The San Antonio Spurs’ David Robinson dunks against the New York Knicks’ Gerald Wilkins at Madison Square Garden in 1989. Photo credit: Nathaniel S. Butler, 1989 NBAE via Getty Images.
An NBA legend celebrates a milestone birthday on August 6 as Hall of Fame center “The Admiral” David Robinson turns 60 years old.
Robinson was born in Key West, Fla. but attended Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, Va. In his junior year of high school, Robinson was just 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and as a freshman at the Naval Academy stood 6 feet, 4 inches tall. He averaged only 7.6 points per game in his freshman season of 1983-84 at Navy, but was a dominant player in his last three collegiate seasons - 23.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.0 blocks as a sophomore, 22.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, 5.9 blocks as a junior, and 28.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks as a senior. As a junior, he was a 2nd team All-American, and as a senior was the Associated Press Player of the Year, Wooden Award winner and Naismith Award winner. Twice, he was the Coastal Athletic Conference Player of the Year. In 127 games at Navy, Robinson averaged 21.0 points (61.3%, 13.3 FGA), 10.3 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game in 29.5 minutes per game.
Selected first overall in the 1987 NBA Draft, Robinson served in the Navy for two years before entering the NBA as a rookie in 1989.
Robinson immediately established himself in his rookie season as a dominant player on both sides of the ball. He averaged 24.3 points (53.1%, 15.9 FGA), 12.0 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks in 82 games as a rookie in 36.6 minutes per contest. He made his first of 10 All-Star games, was Rookie of the Year, 2nd team All-Defense (the Spurs as a team allowed 102.8 points per game, the fifth-best mark in the league), 3rd team All-NBA, and garnered a 6th-place MVP finish as the Spurs won 56 games under Larry Brown in what was a gigantic 35-game improvement from the previous season. The Spurs captured the Midwest division and swept the Denver Nuggets in the first round. In the second round, the team lost in seven games to the Portland Trail Blazers. The 24-year-old Robinson was dominant in the Nuggets’ series, as he averaged 27.7 points (59.3% FG), 13.7 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks in 36.0 minutes per game. He led all scorers in Game 2 of the series with 31 points, and grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked 5 shots in the game. He connected on 11-of-16 attempts. In the second round against the Blazers, Robinson led all scorers in Game 3 - a 121-98 Spur win - with 28 points (8 rebounds, 8 blocks, 4 assists) on 11-of-14 shooting and 6-of-8 from the line in 37 minutes. He had game highs in rebounds in games five, six, and seven, tallying 15, 13, and 16 boards. In the series against the Blazers, he averaged 22.9 points (50.4%), 11.3 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks in 38.1 minutes per game.
The 1990-91 Spurs won 55 games and made the playoffs where they lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in four games. Again, the team had the fifth-best defense in terms of points allowed (102.6) anchored by Robinson, who made All-NBA 1st team, All-Defensive 1st team, finished third in MVP voting and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. His averages were 25.6 points, an NBA-leading 13.0 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks. He played all 82 games, and shot 55.2% on 16.7 attempts in 37.7 minutes. Robinson tallied 28 points and 15 rebounds in Game 2 of the first round, led all in rebounds in Game 1 with 13, and in Game 3 put up 27 points and 12 rebounds. For the series, in 41.5 minutes per, he averaged 25.8 points (68.6%), 13.5 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks.
From the 1991-92 season through to 1995-96, Robinson garnered five top six MVP finishes, continuing his run of seven consecutive all-star games to start his career. Included in the run was a scoring title in 1993-94 (29.8 points per game) and a 1995 NBA MVP recognition.
David Robinson Stats from 1991-92 to 1995-96
1991-92: 23.2 points, 55.1% FG (15.8 FGA), 12.2 rebounds, 4.5 blocks, 68 games, 37.7 minutes, 1st team All-NBA, 1st team All-Defense, Defensive Player of the Year, 3rd in MVP voting
The ‘91-’92 Spurs won 47 games and lost 3-0 in the first round to the Phoenix Suns. Robinson missed the last 14 games of the regular season and the playoffs due to a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery.
1992-93: 23.4 points, 50.1% FG (16.4 FGA), 11.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.2 blocks, 82 games, 39.2 minutes, All-NBA 3rd team, All-Defensive 2nd team, 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting, 6th in MVP voting
Bob Bass took over for Larry Brown after 38 games during the ‘91-’92 season, and for ‘92-’93 moved exclusively to the front office. Former UNLV head coach Jerry Tarkanian coached the Spurs for 20 games (9-11), Rex Hughes won his lone game as head coach, and John Lucas went 39-22. The 49-win Spurs defeated the Trail Blazers three games to one in the first round, and lost to the Suns in six games in the second round. Robinson averaged 19.3 points (42.6%), 15.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 4.0 blocks per game in 44.0 minutes per game in round one, and 25.7 points (48.6%), 11.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.3 blocks in 40.8 minutes per game in the second round.
1993-94: 29.8 points, 50.7% FG (20.7 FGA), 10.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.3 blocks, 80 games, 40.5 minutes, All-NBA 2nd team, All-Defensive 2nd team, 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting, 2nd in MVP voting.
In the final game of the ‘93-’94 regular season, Robinson poured in 71 points in 44 minutes on 26-of-41 shooting (18-of-25 from the line), and grabbed 14 rebounds with 5 assists and 2 blocks in the Spurs’ 112-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in LA. Robinson’s 71, which allowed him to win the ‘94 scoring title over the Orlando Magic’s Shaquille O’Neal, stands as the sixth-highest single-game mark in NBA history. Elgin Baylor scored 71 on November 15, 1970, and since Robinson, Donovan Mitchell (2023) and Damian Lillard (2023) have scored 71.
The ‘93-’94 Spurs, who won 55 games under Lucas and had the league’s top rebounder in Dennis Rodman (17.3 per game), lost in five games in round one to the Utah Jazz. In their lone win of the series, Robinson posted 25 points (9-of-17 from the field, 7-of-9 from the line), 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks in 37 minutes. He registered 27 points, 12 assists, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in Game 4 on 11-of-21 shooting in 45 minutes.
1994-95: 27.6 points, 53.0% FG (18.4 FGA), 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 81 games, 38.0 minutes, All-NBA 1st team, All-Defensive 1st team, 4th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, MVP.
The ‘94-’95 Spurs won 62 games under new head coach Bob Hill and first year executive Gregg Popovich. The team’s 106.6 points per game was fourth in the NBA. The Spurs swept the Nuggets in the first round, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the second round, and lost four games to two in the Conference Finals to the Rockets. Robinson recorded ten double-doubles in the ‘95 playoffs.
David Robinson’s Notable Games in 1995 Playoffs
2nd Round vs LAL
Game 1: 33 points, 14-of-23 FG, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists, 43 mins
Game 2: 22 points, 6-of-26 FG, 10-of-10 FT, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks, 45 mins
Game 3: 34 points, 14-of-27 FG, 6-of-8 FT, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 41 mins
Game 4: 26 points, 11-of-25 FG, 4-of-6 FT, 22 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 45 mins
Game 5: 34 points, 9-of-22 FG, 1-of-2 3PT, 15-of-17 FT, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals, 52 mins
Game 6: 31 points, 10-of-19 FG, 11-of-12 FT, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, 42 mins
Western Conference Finals vs HOU
Game 2: 32 points, 10-of-18 FG, 12-of-14 FT, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 46 mins
Game 3: 29 points, 10-of-15 FG, 9-of-9 FT, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block
1995-96: 25.0 points, 51.6% FG (16.8 FGA), 12.2 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, 3.0 assists, 36.8 minutes, 82 games, All-NBA 1st team, All-Defensive 1st team, 4th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, 2nd in MVP voting
The Spurs won 59 games in ‘95-’96, and defeated the Suns in four games (3-1) in the first round and lost to the Jazz in six games in the Western Conference Semifinal. Robinson, aged 30, averaged 30.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks against the Suns (55.6% from the field, 83.3% from the line in 36.0 minutes per game). In Game 2, he registered 40 points (14-of-25, 12-of-16) and 21 rebounds, and in Game 4 posted 30 points (12-of-21 from the field, 6-of-7 from the line), 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. He averaged 19.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game against the Jazz. He shot 47.5% from the field in the series in 34.8 minutes per game. He led all scorers in Game 1 with 29 points, making 9-of-12 shots in the game and 11-of-18 from the stripe.
Robinson missed 76 games in ‘96-’97, the first eighteen games due to a back injury and from December 26 onward due to a broken foot. In 24.5 minutes per game in those six games played, he shot 50% from the field (12 attempts), and averaged 17.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. The Spurs finished the season 20-62 and won the 1997 NBA Draft lottery. Their prize was Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest.
Robinson and his protege became the NBA’s most threatening interior duo, and under Popovich in ‘97-‘98 the Spurs won 56 games. In round one, San Antonio defeated the Suns in four games. In round two, they lost to the Jazz in five.
Robinson averaged 21.6 points (51.1%, 14.6 shots), 10.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 73 games, 33.7 minutes per game. He made his eighth All-Star Game and was All-NBA 2nd team, All-Defensive 2nd team, and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Duncan, meanwhile, averaged 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds and was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year for ‘97-‘98. Robinson averaged 20.3 points (46.6% FG), 16.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 blocks in 40.2 minutes in round one, and 18.8 points (39.5% FG), 12.6 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks in the second round. He led all in games one and two of the Utah series in rebounds with 16 and 14. In Game 2 against the Suns, he registered 23 points and 16 rebounds. He pulled down 21 rebounds in the clinching fourth game.
A new era was dawning in San Antonio with the Twin Towers.
At age 33 in ‘98-‘99, Robinson played 31.7 minutes per game and averaged 10.8 shots per game (50.9%) in 49 games. He put up 15.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per contest and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The Spurs won 37 games in the lockout-shortened season, and defeated the New York Knicks in five games in the NBA Finals, after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1 in round one and sweeping both the Lakers (in the second round) and the Trail Blazers (in the Conference Finals). In his first ever Finals’ series, Robinson averaged 16.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in 37.2 minutes per game. Duncan averaged 27.4 points and 14.0 rebounds. In the clinching fifth game, Robinson tallied a game-high 12 boards. After the championship, the head coach Popovich said of his centerpiece, “He’s the foundation of everything we do.”
David Robinson’s Final All-Star Seasons (1999-00, 2000-01)
1999-00: 17.8 points (51.2% FG, 12.9 FGA), 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 32.0 minutes, 80 games, All-NBA 3rd team
2000-01: 14.4 points (48.6%, 10.3 FGA), 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 29.6 minutes, 80 games, All-NBA 3rd team, 5th in DPOY voting
In 2001-02, Robinson averaged double figures (12.2 points, 50.7%, 8.6 attempts) for the final time in his career. He registered 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 78 games, 29.5 minutes per game. He played 64 games in his final NBA season of 2002-03, playing 26.2 minutes per game and registering 8.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, making 46.9% of 6.6 shots per game.
The ‘01-‘02 Spurs won 58 games and defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the opening round in five games, and lost to the Lakers in five games in the second round. The ‘02-’03 Spurs won 60 games, and along their road to a six-game win over the New Jersey Nets in the Finals defeated the Suns, Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks in six games each. In his final playoff series, Robinson averaged 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, on 61.1% shooting in 26.7 minutes. Not only had Duncan ascended to superstardom to take the pressure off of Robinson, but Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were close to breaking their all-star barrier, too.
Robinson retired following that second championship win. He, 12-year veteran Danny Ferry, 11-year-vet Steve Smith, and 17-year vet Kevin Willis provided the wisdom to the young and blossoming star trio of Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker.
Robinson started 985 of 987 career games in his 14 San Antonio seasons, posting averages of 21.1 points (51.8% FG, 14.4 FGA), 10.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game. During the prime of his career, he was one of the best centers in the NBA and one of the league’s most complete players, a force on both sides. On February 17, 1994 against the Detroit Pistons, he tallied 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 blocks, and 10 assists. Only Robinson, Nate Thurmond, and Alvin Robertson have recorded official quadruple-doubles in NBA history.
At 7 foot, 1 inch tall, Robinson stood as if chiseled from granite, with the speed of a guard and rare ball handling and jump shooting ability for a man his size. Talk about futuristic talents from decades gone by, and Robinson is in that group. Talk about the greatest all-time Spurs, and though you place them in the order of your preference, there is no argument as to who the top three are. George Gervin, Duncan, and Robinson.
In 2009, Robinson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. One year later, he was recognized again by the Hall, enshrined as part of the fabled Dream Team. He also won Gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Robinson in 1994 was inducted into the Naval Academy Athletic Hall of Fame, and into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. On November 10 2003, the Spurs retired his No. 50.
No drama. Just hard work, humility, and results. Truly, David Robinson represented everything good about the Spurs organization, and everything good about the sport. A top flight person. A tremendous player.
Happy 60th to “The Admiral”.
David Robinson’s San Antonio Spurs Career Franchise Records
Free-Throws - 6,035
Free-Throws Made Per Game - 6.1
Free-Throw Attempts Per Game - 8.3
Player Efficiency Rating - 26.2
*3rd in Points - 20,790 *2nd in Rebounds - 10,497
*2nd in Blocks - 2,954
*2nd in Steals - 1,388
David Robinson’s San Antonio Spurs Single-Season Records
Blocks - 320 (1990-91; owns 7 of the top 10 spots for single-season blocks in team history)
Blocks Per Game - 4.5 (1991-92)
Free-Throws Made - 693 (1993-94)
Free-Throws Attempted - 925 (1993-94)
Free-Throws Made Per Game - 8.7 (1993-94)
Free-Throws Attempted Per Game - 11.6 (1993-94)
Player Efficiency Rating - 30.7 (1993-94)
Defensive Rating - 87.9 (1998-99)
*3rd most rebounds - 1,063 (1990-91)
*4th and 5th most minutes played - 3,241 (1993-94), 3,211 (1992-93)
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