San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs built a dynasty between the late 1990s and early 2010s. For almost twenty years, the Texan franchise aimed for the NBA championship, season after season. In total, they achieved the grail five times during this period! A feat that would not have been possible without some iconic basketball players. Here are seven legendary Spurs players.

Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is probably the best post 4 in NBA history. With a fearsome mid-range shot, the Virgin Islands native was nicknamed “the big fundamentals”. No other professional interior was as technically gifted as he. He won five NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs. Duncan spent his entire professional basketball career in Texas. In fact, he began his post-career on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff.

Manu Ginobili

The Olympic champion and four-time NBA champion is one of the biggest steals in draft history. Attached to the Spurs throughout his career in the USA, Manu Ginobili is among the best Argentine basketball players of all time. Whether in a starting role or as a luxury sixth man, “El Manu” was always there when Popovich called on him. He never disappointed. Never forcing a shot, Ginobili had an above-average basketball IQ. Today, this left-handed guard is a legend of the game.

Tony Parker

France’s most famous basketball player is a legend in San Antonio. His mythical number 9 has been retired by the Texas franchise. His list of honors includes four NBA championship rings and a Finals MVP trophy. Selected six times for the All-Star Game, he enjoyed some fantastic seasons under Gregg Popovich. Tony Parker will remain a legendary San Antonio Spurs player for life. Although he ended his professional basketball career in Charlotte…

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard was drafted by the Indiana Pacers. But he was immediately transferred to the San Antonio Spurs. The Texan franchise had scouted him. They absolutely wanted him on their roster. Once again, the team’s scouts were right. Leonard’s talent took a little time to become apparent to everyone. It has to be said that, alongside other superstars in the sport, it’s hard to make an immediate name for yourself. Physically monstrous, “The Klaw” is one of the best defenders in the world. He went on to emancipate himself with the Toronto Raptors, then the Los Angeles Clippers. With the Canadian institution, he won his second NBA championship in 2019. It was his first as a team franchise player.

David Robinson

David Robinson was nicknamed the Admiral, in reference to his experience in the navy. Very solid on his feet, this Hall of Famer was also difficult to move in the racket. A Spurs team executive until his retirement, he was one of Duncan’s mentors. Tony Parker won his first NBA championship alongside him. With him and Tim Duncan under the boards, the San Antonio Spurs had a locked-down racket. Penetration was complex for opposing forwards. Offensively too, this interior duo did a lot of damage.

George Gervin

George Gervin is one of the San Antonio Spurs’ first legendary players. Nicknamed “The Iceman”, he was a nine-time All-Star and five-time selection in the League’s top five. He spent eleven years of his career in San Antonio. For four seasons, Gervin was the league’s leading scorer. At the end of his professional basketball career, he joined the Spurs’ technical staff for two years as an assistant coach.

Bruce Bowen

Undrafted, the former serial scorer for Évreux and Le Havre made a golden name for himself in the NBA thanks to his defense and three-point shooting. Bruce Bowen was voted best defender in the North American league three times. For eight consecutive seasons, he was selected in one of the top two defensive fives of the regular season. The former two-time leading scorer in the French championship won three NBA championship rings with the San Antonio Spurs. He was adored by Gregg Popovich. The Texas franchise retired his jersey number 12.