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David Robinson learned a lot from a rookie Tim Duncan: "He makes me think the game a little smarter"
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- David Robinson learned a lot from a rookie Tim Duncan: "He makes me think the game a little smarter"
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most respected organizations in the NBA. Factors behind this success include stable leadership, structure and talent management. Added to it are core values like selflessness and a team-over-individual mindset.
At the same time, the Spurs also owe some of their success to former players who not only embodied these principles and ideologies but also passed them on to the next generation.
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It started with George Gervin in the 70s and 80s, then David Robinson in the 90s, then Tim Duncan in the early 2000s and now Victor Wembanyama.
When it came to its championship DNA, Robinson and Duncan led the Spurs to their first-ever NBA championship in 1999. Back then, Robinson was nearing the end of his prime and looking to pass the torch to a young, versatile Duncan.
San Antonio's Twin Towers
The Spurs selected Duncan with the first pick in the 1997 NBA draft. The veteran forward was a welcome addition to the frontcourt alongside Robinson, who had done all the heavy lifting for the team over the years. Impressed with what he saw, David wasted no time in taking a rookie, Timmy, under his wing.
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Coach Gregg Popovich believed the two big men complemented each other really well when it came to filling in the gaps.
"I knew right off the bat he would be a good match for David because there would be respect there. That's where it's all got to start," said Pop about Duncan amid the 1997-98 season.
Mentoring a versatile Duncan, Robinson also picked up a few things from Tim, especially when it came to composure.
"He makes me think the game a little smarter," Robinson said about rookie Duncan in 1998.
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The relief after Timmy's arrival
There was never any big-man ego between Robinson and Duncan, with the latter making no qualms about shifting to power forward, too. Sharing his first-hand perspective, David once shared how he felt after the Spurs drafted Tim .
"Hey, I was down on my knees just saying, 'Thank you, Lord. Oh my God. Thank you so much…That kid is so composed. He's amazing," recalled Robinson during his interaction with Joe Buck in 2023.
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Having already seen glimpses of Duncan during some Team USA practices, Robinson knew how beneficial the Wake Forest product could be in chasing a championship.
Passing on the torch
After Duncan arrived in San Antonio, Robinson eventually took a back seat, with no hesitation. The former Spurs center had long understood that winning a title wasn't a one-person job and he would certainly need help.
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"It's not tough when you want to win. You realize what your limitations are," said David, voluntarily stepping back and giving Duncan the lead.
In the end, the sacrifice served the greater good as the Spurs won their first-ever championship in 1999, with Duncan named Finals MVP. From there, there was no looking back for The Fundamental, who finished his career with five championships.
Related: Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich had unusual agreement about trading his friends
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Oct 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
