Congratulations David Robinson!! You've just won your second championship! What are you going to do now? Retire? Right! You can give it up now Dave, we know better. Wait a minute ... you were serious?
Yeah I know, denial is not just a river in Egypt. I guess I just didn't want to believe it. It's just been a part of life in San Antonio for the last 14 years. The only thing that has stood straighter than David Robinson before a game has been the Tower of the Americas. Its just part of life, cascarones and Fiesta, hot wings and tank tops, Dave and the Spurs. Until now.
After a stellar 14-year career, which included such accomplishments as Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player, David Robinson is hanging up his sneakers. He has pulled up anchor and is sailing off into retirement. He can now concentrate on his work with the Carver Academy, pick up his ring in November and wait for his call from Springfield.
But not before I say goodbye.
David Robinson saved me. He saved me by saving this team. By saving this team, he saved this city. He chose to put down roots in San Antonio. He decided to become part of this community, not just live in it. Robinson became proud to live and work here. Most players claim a record of civic service; Robinson redefined the term. Most players make the token appearance at a foster home or hospital, some give to charity with the satisfaction of a great tax break. Robinson does not seek satisfaction -- he provides it. This was the man who pledged money for college to an entire fifth grade class if they graduated high school; nowadays the NBA is drafting high schoolers.
The Admiral saved this team on three separate occasions. The first time just by signing to play for the Spurs. He rejected the classless advice of Rick Barry and other overhyped "experts" by doing something they were all against, making a commitment to a team not deemed sexy enough. Later on in his career, when he was at the top of his game, he chose to honor his commitment to San Antonio and stay with the Spurs. David knew full well that he could have commanded much more money and just about picked any team in the league, but the foundation he had forged in the River City was too strong and powerful and he stayed. Finally in 2000, after an early exit to the playoffs in a failed quest to defend a title, the player who would in time assume the mantle of franchise, Tim Duncan, was very close to leaving San Antonio for the Magic Kingdom. It was David who boarded a plane in the middle of a vacation with his family in Hawaii to come back and persuade Tim that they could win another ring together. Tim decided to stay and David was proven prophetic.
Maybe you think claming David saved the Spurs and San Antonio was a bit much, well chew on this ...
If David does not do any one of the afore mentioned actions, Nashville gets the Spurs, Tim goes to Orlando and San Antonio becomes El Paso. No titles, no parades and a whole lot of down time between January and August. Maybe we get an expansion team, maybe we don't. One thing we wouldn't have? Memories.
In the 14 years where we saw a salary cap put in place, free agency gone wild and kids going from proms to $90 million paydays, Robinson was the last link to a time when there was still a respect for the game. While more and more players around him pledged loyalty to SportsCenter and shoe deals, Robinson was pledged to his family and his faith. It is appropriate that David is an avid reader of the bible because at times he has needed the patience of Job, when it would seem more appropriate to slay his detractors with the jawbone of an ass.
He has been vilified for not being a killer on the court. He has been ridiculed for having the temerity for putting his private life ahead of his basketball career and through it all, he has maintained the class, which is representative of the officer and gentleman that he is. He helps his community, he doesn't do drugs, doesn't cheat on his wife or his taxes, he is not a homophobic thug like Iverson, did not desert a city like Shaq or try to single handedly re-populate a city like Shawn Kemp. He is simply the greatest citizen athlete to ever play professional sports and that includes one Michael Jeffery Jordan. Dave gambles on kids making a future for themselves, MJ gambles on $10,000 Nassau's.
Dave, as a native of San Antonio, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have proven what I knew all along ...
Living in San Antonio is pretty cool.
We will all miss you. Thank you and God Bless you and your family.
Peace.
