Alvin Robertson Was The San Antonio Spurs' Most Underrated Player
The San Antonio Spurs were established 56 years ago, which means they’ve been through a lot. After numerous coaches, they started finding true success once Gregg Popovich became the head coach.
The Spurs’ organization also had the pleasure of featuring athletes such as Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. But one player that never gets recognized for his impact was shooting guard Alvin Robertson.
Chosen by the Spurs as the seventh overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, Robertson averaged double-figures points every year there expect his rookie one.
After averaging just nine points in his beginning year, Robertson went on to average 17 over the subsequent four years. Overall, he recorded 16 points a game with the Spurs. He also logged in five rebounds, five assists, and two steals a game with them.
He led the Spurs in points on two separate occasions (1987, 1988; 17 points and 19 points, respectively). He also led them in steals four straight times (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989) and assists in 1987 with five.
Robertson and the Spurs made only two playoff appearances but in playoffs, he never eased up. He averaged 16 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
During his tenure in San Antonio, Robertson was a three-time All-Star (1986-1988) who made the All-NBA Second Team in 1986, the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1987 and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times (1986, 1988, 1989). He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1986.
He even led the NBA in steals twice in a row (1986, 1987; three steals each time).
On Feb. 18, 1986, Robertson recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals against the Phoenix Suns. It would make him one of four players in league history to log in a quadruple-double.
Robertson is No. 14 on the Spurs’ all-time scoring list (6,285), No. 9 on the assists list (2,094) and No. 4 on the steals list (1,128).
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Sports Illustrated’s channel “Inside The Heat”. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson and Instagram @ckenzynelson
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