Saturday, May 25, 2002
Spurs' Robinson to retire after 2002-03 season
By T.A. BADGER
Associated Press Writer
SAN ANTONIO — David Robinson's 14th NBA season will be his last. The San Antonio Spurs' 10-time All-Star is getting ready to retire.
“My career here has been like a dream — perhaps better than a dream,” he said Friday. “It's been a great 13 years for me, and I'm excited about next year.”
The 7-foot-1 center, who turns 37 in August, will play out the final year of the two-year, $20 million contract he signed last summer.
The Spurs' career leader in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and assists is coming off a sub-par season.
Robinson saw limited action in the playoffs because of a chipped disc, which caused nerve problems in his back, legs, and foot.
He averaged 4.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 20 minutes in four playoff games for the Spurs, who beat Seattle 3-2 in the opening round, but were beaten 4-1 by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round.
“Class act, legend, still my idol,” Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal said before Friday's Western Conference final Game 3. “I can't say anything bad about a guy like that.”
Robinson averaged a career-low 12.2 points and 8.3 rebounds during the regular season, well below his career averages of 21.9 points and 10.8 rebounds.
He made his decision three years after teaming up with 7-footer Tim Duncan to lead the Spurs to the NBA championship in 1999. Robinson said he revealed his intention to retire well in advance to allow the team time to plan for the future.
Robinson made the announcement in the library of the Carver Academy, a private school for underprivileged children he has funded. Dozens of students sat quietly on the floor as their towering benefactor spoke about his future.
Robinson was joined by his father and two of his three sons when he went public with the “family decision” he made earlier this week.
“I know the Lord has good things for me to do,” Robinson said. “But hopefully we'll have a great summer and come back and have a fantastic year next year.”
Robinson said there is no pressure to perform well on his farewell tour.
“To me, every game is going to be fun, every practice is going to be fun,” he said. “I'm just going to enjoy it.
“As long as I feel good and excited to be on the floor, I want to play.”
Robinson was praised by both the past and present owners of the Spurs.
“God paid a special blessing to San Antonio when he sent us David Robinson,” said Reds McCombs, owner of the Minnesota Vikings and the Spurs' owner from 1988-93. “We were in hopes of having a basketball player who could save the franchise for our city. We got much more than that.”
Current Spurs chairman Peter Hold said: “He's one of a kind. He is a true role model — a tremendous athlete, a family man, a pillar in the community — but most of all he has a huge heart. He cares about people.”
Robinson, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, served two years of active duty before joining the Spurs for the 1989-90 season.
He was a unanimous choice as Rookie of the Year and was named the NBA's MVP in 1995. A 10-time All-Star, Robinson was the league's defensive player of the year in 1992.
He is the only U.S. basketball player to win three Olympic medals, earning gold in 1996 and '92 and a bronze as an amateur in 1988.
Sports Stories
Braves 11, Reds 2
Reds box, runs
Boone: Griffey, Reds chemistry will mix
More playing time to Larkin's liking
Louisville 9, Ottawa 7
M's Martinez transferred to 60-day DL
NL roundup
AL roundup
Notes from Friday's games
Thompson engages mind, not body, in practice
Dolphins excited about Turner's offense
Eagles' Lewis promotes NFL in Asia, returns for camp
San Diego ponders whether it can afford to keep Chargers
Milford rolls to first district title
Freshman Detzel leads Colerain girls
Hartman heats up for Firebirds
Lebanon rolls into regional
Lewis, offense lead Anderson
McNick district champs
Preps results
Preps schedule
Spurs' Robinson to retire after 2002-03 season
