10 Best San Antonio Spurs Players In Franchise History

By Dan Schultz

10 Best San Antonio Spurs Players In Franchise History

Robinson and Duncan — The San Antonio Spurs are simply one of the most decorated franchises in all of sports. For a small market in Texas, the Spurs have established a pattern of success dependent on teamwork, spacing the floor, and team defense. As the ageless Spurs gear up for yet another title run, it is time to take a look at the ten best players in San Antonio Spurs history.

No. 10: Bruce Bowen (2001-2009)

Bowen NBA

No. 10: Bruce Bowen (2001-2009)

Bowen NBA — Although his individual stats will not blow you away, Bruce Bowen embodied the term "defensive specialist," as for nearly a decade he pestered some of the best guards and small forwards in the league and made each and every shot they took very difficult. Bowen worked on his shooting considerably and became a lockdown threat from the corner three range thanks to the hard work he put in to his offense.

No. 9: Alvin Robertson (1984-1989)

Robertson NBA

No. 9: Alvin Robertson (1984-1989)

Robertson NBA — While he never developed a reliable three-point shot, Robertson was big for a his position at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, which allowed him to get his shot off rather easily over many players who tried to defend him. In five seasons with the Spurs, Robertson averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Although he was not as dynamic as Tony Parker, he is still one of the best ever to play point guard for the Spurs.

No. 8: James Silas (1973-1981)

Silas NBA

No. 8: James Silas (1973-1981)

Silas NBA — Silas was good at just about everything, especially scoring the ball at an efficient rate. In addition to carving his way inside and finding ways to easily score, Silas was also solid at running the offense as well as grabbing a few rebounds too. He was consistently superb for the Spurs and his best season came during the 1975-76 campaign where he averaged 23.8 PPG on a remarkable 52 percent shooting from the field.

No. 7: Kawhi Leonard (2011 - present)

Leonard NBA

No. 7: Kawhi Leonard (2011 - present)

Leonard NBA — While this might come across as a little high from a pure number standpoint, anyone who has watched Leonard play knows that he is not only one of the best players in basketball right now, but he could very well be a top five player in Spurs history when it's all said and done. His offense has continued to expand over the last few seasons, and he has become the most feared defender in the league in a very short time period.

No. 6: Sean Elliott (1989-1993, 1994-2001)

Sean Elliott Spurs

No. 6: Sean Elliott (1989-1993, 1994-2001)

Sean Elliott Spurs — Elliott was the perfect Spur in that he never shied away from taking an open shot, he was a terrific teammate, and his long arms and quick hands made him one of the better perimeter defenders in the league. He is best known for the "Memorial Day Miracle" shot against the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1999 NBA Playoffs that gave the Spurs the momentum they needed to capture their first title that year.

Tony Parker (2001 - present)

Parker NBA

Tony Parker (2001 - present)

Parker NBA — Once a scrawny kid from France who possessed speed but no jump shot whatsoever when he first came into the league, Parker has had a remarkable career for a guy drafted in the tail-end of the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft. His blinding quickness combined with an absolutely lethal mid-range jumper and teardrop floater have frustrated defenses for years, and the 2007 Finals MVP remains as important as ever to the Spurs success.

Manu Ginobili (2002 - present)

Ginobili NBA

Manu Ginobili (2002 - present)

Ginobili NBA basketball — Ginobili, another inexplicable late round draft pick (57th overall in 1999) helped pioneer the "Euro-step" move into the NBA, while maintaining his fearlessness that has not deterred him in the slightest as he has gotten older. While he probably only has one year left, his versatility and willingness to come off the bench for a majority of his career makes him all the more admirable, especially when you look at the four titles too.

No. 3: George Gervin (1973-1985)

Gervin NBA

No. 3: George Gervin (1973-1985)

Gervin NBA — Gervin, aka "The Iceman," was a volume scorer and one of the most legendary guards in ABA and NBA history. He was known best for his trademark finger roll layup, and he was also one of the most skilled players ever in terms of how phenomenal of a scorer he was from anywhere on the floor and how he effortlessly accepted being the leader of those early Spurs teams.

No. 2: David Robinson (1989-2003)

David Robinson NBA

No. 2: David Robinson (1989-2003)

David Robinson NBA — Robinson was an absolute force as soon as he came into the league, given his superhero-esque build and unparalleled athleticism at the center position. He won the MVP trophy in 1995, two championships ('99 and '03), and also played a huge part in keeping not only the Spurs in San Antonio, but he also cut his vacation short in the summer of 2000 to sway Tim Duncan from going to the Orlando Magic when he was a free agent.

No. 1: Tim Duncan (1997 - present)

Duncan NBA

No. 1: Tim Duncan (1997 - present)

Duncan NBA — Shocker, right? Duncan is not only the best power forward of all-time (even though he has been a center in disguise his entire career), but one of the top ten best players ever. His selfless approach to the game both on and off court as well (sacrificing money this past offseason to help clear space for LaMarcus Aldridge and David West) will be something we talk about for years. As well as just how amazing he is even at age 39.

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