Spurs The Admiral

San Antonio Pulled Out All the Stops

When the Spurs won the first pick of the 1987 NBA draft lottery, David Robinson was the prize. Robinson’s Navy education had earned him the nickname “the Admiral” on the court, but two mandatory additional years of service jeopardized the chances of this game-changing player suiting up as a Spur. How he become the leader of the San Antonio Spurs for the next decade, guiding the franchise to its first NBA championship in ’99, says as much about the city of San Antonio as it does about Robinson’s good-hearted nature and the creativity and perseverance of the Spurs’ front office. In 1987, Robinson was widely considered the best basketball player to ever play for the U.S. Naval Academy, and he was a slam-dunk, franchise-defining, first-round pick. Robinson had followed in his father’s footsteps when he attended the academy, and his exemplary college career had NBA teams vying for his services. Yet his status with the Navy was complicated. As one of the best centers in NBA history, Robinson’s 7-foot-1-inch height was an asset, but in the Navy, it made him ineligible to serve on a vessel. Still, the Navy required two years of service after his graduation in 1987, cloaking his participation in the draft in uncertainty. If he didn’t like where he was drafted, NBA insiders speculated, would he even sign? The Spurs had a stroke of luck in winning the ’87 draft lottery and drafted Robinson. Many in the sport, like Rick Barry, said Robinson should not sign. At the time, the franchise had spent the ’80s as an NBA also-ran and had yet to cement its place as one of the most successful franchises in NBA history. Because of his Navy service requirement, many thought Robinson should decline to sign, finish his service, and return to command what figured to be the most expensive free agent auction ever.

David Robinson #50 of the San Antonio Spurs speaks with media following the 1987 NBA Draft in San Antonio, Texas.

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The Spurs needed Robinson to help them turn the franchise around, but did Robinson need the Spurs? The Spurs decided to court the Admiral the best way they knew how: show Robinson and his family the city of San Antonio for a weekend. After all, it wasn’t just the team that needed Robinson, the city was seeking to be seen as a major league sports city and knew the Admiral was the key. Spurs owner Angelo Drossos even called Robinson’s September visit to San Antonio more important than Pope John Paul II’s, who’d visited the week before. Pulling out all the stops, the Spurs flew Robinson, his family, and his agent on a private jet to San Antonio. Despite a raging thunderstorm, they were greeted at the airport by mariachis, Spurs players, dignitaries, members of the Baseline Bums, along with nearly 700 fans. After a short press conference, the Spurs put Robinson and family up in the five-star St. Anthony hotel, and for an entire weekend showered them with fine meals, golf outings and tours of the city. San Antonio may not have had the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles or the historic legacy of Boston—the two cities viewed as San Antonio’s biggest competition should Robinson choose not to sign—but it more than made up for it in culture and opportunity. As a veteran-friendly city, the Spurs correctly believed Robinson’s military service would help endear him to the San Antonio fan base. Plus, as a sports city, San Antonio was searching for both validation and an identity. If Robinson signed with the Spurs, he would have the opportunity to be not only the face of the franchise but the face of the city as well. After Robinson and his entourage left that fateful weekend, the Spurs didn’t know how successful their full-court press had been. Robinson was appreciative and cordial but gave no indication if his mind had been swayed. It’s possible the temporary moratorium on contract negotiations across the NBA at the time factored into this, or maybe Robinson just needed time to think. The Spurs decided to sweeten the deal. The contract the Spurs offered Robinson was legendary. It ensured Robinson would be well-compensated as long as he remained a Spur. Robinson rewarded the Spurs’ perseverance with a legendary career, both on and off the court. Today, Robinson’s legacy in San Antonio is both as one of basketball’s all-time greats and as San Antonio’s patron saint. His multiple philanthropic endeavors have improved the lives of thousands of the city’s most vulnerable, including IDEA Carver, the charter school he started to provide better opportunities for San Antonio’s inner-city kids. Robinson may have only achieved the rank of lieutenant in the Navy, but he will always be the Admiral of San Antonio.

The Spurs needed Robinson to help them turn the franchise around, but did Robinson need the Spurs?

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San Antonio Pulled Out All the Stops

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The admiral,

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