San Antonio Spurs: David Robinson on being a No. 1 overall draft pick
By Rob Wolkenbrod
![SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 2: David Robinson holds Head Coach Gregg Popovich's of the San Antonio Spurs trophy as Tim Duncan SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 2: David Robinson holds Head Coach Gregg Popovich's of the San Antonio Spurs trophy as Tim Duncan](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fairalamo-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F10-2F143704478-utah-jazz-v-san-antonio-spurs-game-2-jpg-850x560-db3b889b29c836cebc8be943d926a484.jpg)
San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson spoke about his selection at No. 1 overall in the 1987 NBA Draft.
When the best No. 1 overall picks in the NBA Draft of the past 30 years are considered, San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson is often mentioned. Other No. 1 picks include Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Blake Griffin, John Wall and Kyrie Irving.
The Spurs took Robinson in the 1987 NBA Draft. However, he didn’t debut until 1989, due to Navy commitments that kept him out for two years.
It’s safe to say the wait was worth it, as Robinson developed into one of the NBA’s greatest centers of the 1990’s, a loaded decade for players at this position. He was a force in the paint and contributed toward two NBA championships.
In an interview with Thurzio (h/t Pounding the Rock), Robinson spoke about being the No. 1 pick and the pressure of playing up to this selection. He notably called it “an honor,” too.
“Amazing…still, it doesn’t register to me that I was that guy. It’s an incredible honor. Coming in as the number one player there’s a lot of pressure, and you feel like the team is betting their future on you almost.”
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For whatever kind of pressure Robinson faced, he overcame it and played like the Pro Basketball Hall of Famer he eventually was inducted as. With nine seasons of double-double averages, one scoring title, seasons of over 3 blocks per game (one season of 4.5 blocks), multiple All-Star Game appearances and two championships, he lived up to the hype, to say the least.
Robinson played with another No. 1 overall pick, Duncan, later in his career. That’s when the two titles arrived in San Antonio (1999, 2003), the first the franchise ever won, despite playoff success in the early 1980’s and throughout the 1990’s.
At this rate, there may never be another No. 1 overall pick for the Spurs. Ever since Duncan went No. 1 in the 1997 NBA Draft, they haven’t had another top selection, with the closest at No. 20, not including trades (the Kawhi Leonard deal of 2011).
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The Admiral had a terrific career after being the No. 1 pick in 1987. Where do you think he stands among the previous top selections?