The 10 Best Spurs Players of All Time

Most winning percentages among all the active NBA franchises won five NBA championships; the San Antonio Spurs are the most vital team in the NBA league. Spurs players contribute most to making the Spurs dominant and leading team in NBA. The Spurs’ solid, strong position in the league didn’t happen overnight.

The history of this success is full of stories of the tireless hard work of the players. And among them, some became the best Spurs players of all time with outstanding performances.

In our article, we will learn about all the best Spurs players. We will discuss players’ career histories, personal and team achievements, fun facts and controversy, and other things.

Let’s start.

Names	Position
1. Tim Duncan	Power Forward
2. Manu Ginóbili	Shooting Guard
3. Tony Parker	Point Guard
4. David Robinson	Center
5. George Gervin	Shooting Guard/ Small Forward
6. Sean Elliott	Small Forward
7. James Silas	Point Guard
8. Kawhi Leonard	Small Forward
9. Bruce Bowen	Small Forward
10. Alvin Robertson	Shooting Guard

1. Tim Duncan

Position: Power Forward

Playing Career: 1997-2003

After nineteen years with the San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan is literally the best player who ever played for the Spurs. He made the team one of the leading teams of the NBA. Duncan made the Spurs champion in all five titles in the franchise.

Name	Timothy Theodore Duncan
Date of Birth	April 25, 1976
Birth Place	Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Current Age	46
Occupation	Power Forward
Net Worth	Approximately $130 Million
Height	6 ft 11 in
Weight	113  kg
Ethnicity	Anguilla Descent
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per Game	26,496 (19.0 PPG)
Rebounds Per Game	15,091 (10.8 RPG)
Assists Per Game	4,225 (3.0 APG)

Career

• The Spurs selected Duncan in the 1997 NBA draft as the first draft pick. In the previous season, Spur’s then-best player David Robinson was in injury, and San Antonio finished the season with finished with a 20–62 win–loss record.
• The spurs became unstoppable when Duncan and Robinson teamed up. The duo used to go by the Twin Tower name causing exceptional defense close to the basket. Duncan made him an outstanding player from the beginning. In his second appearance, he played against Chicago Bulls, grabbing 22 rebounds against Defensive Player of The year Dennis Rodman.
• Duncan played 81 games in his rookie season and finished with an average of 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game.
• The following season didn’t go well for Duncan, but he returned to his old form in the 1999–2000 season, earning an average of 23.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game. Spurs reached the postseason play that season, but Duncan was injured and couldn’t even appear for a single season.
• Duncan started playing at the SBC Center from 2002-03 season, earning an average of 23.3 points, a career-high of 12.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game. He was the second most valuable player in that season.
• Duncan has the San Antonio Spurs all-time highest point, 26,496, rebounds 15,091, and blocks 3020. At the end of his career, his average points were 20.6, 11.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.

Achievement

• Five-Time NBA Championships 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014
• Three-Time NBA Finals, Most Valuable Player 1999, 2003, 2005
• NBA Most Valuable Player two Times 2002, 2003
• 15-Time NBA All-Star

Interesting Facts and Controversy

• Duncan is the only player in NBA history to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. 
• Duncan was into swimming, but in ninth grade, Hurricane Hugo destroyed the only pool in Tim Duncan’s home in St. Croix, forcing, and then he switch to basketball.

2. Manu Ginóbili

Position: Shooting guard

Playing Career: 1995-2018

Manu Ginobili is one of the third big players of San Antonio. He is the only two players have won a EuroLeague, NBA championship, and an Olympics gold medal. Ginobili played with Spurs for 16 years and now works as their special advisor.

Name	Emanuel David Ginóbili Maccari
Date of Birth	28 July 1977
Birth Place	Bahía Blanca, Argentina
Current Age	45
Occupation	Shooting Guard
Net Worth	Approximately $45 Million
Height	6 ft 6 in
Weight	93 kg
Ethnicity	Argentinian
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per Game	14,043 (13.3 PPG)
Rebounds Per Game	3,697 (3.5 RPG)
Assists Per Game	4,001 (3.8 APG)

Career

• Ginobili joined Spurs in the 2002-03 season; before that, he played with four Argentinian clubs.
• Ginobili has always been a great help to his team, though he finally became a fan-favorite player in the 2005 NBA finals Game 7 when he helped to win the match in a do-or-die situation. He ended the game with an average of 18.7 points and four assists.
• While most players’ careers as basketball players are bounded in NBA, Ginobili took the competition a bit far to the Olympics and won the Gold Medal.
• One of the best games in Ginobili’s career took place in 2017 against Houston Rockets when he changed the game course twice. Just before 2.02 seconds to end the first quarter of Game 5, he gathered the ball from the top of the key and threw a mean right-handed jam over Ryan Anderson. And when 35 seconds were left in the 4th quarter, Ginobili drove by Clint Capela and made a scoop layup to tie the game and force it into overtime.
• On 28 March 2019, Ginobili went to retirement with 20 number jerseys, earning an average of 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

Achievement

• A Four-Time NBA Championship in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014
• NBA All-Star 2005, 2011
• Wom the NBA Sixth Man of the Year 2008
• NBA All-Rookie Second Team

Fun Facts and Controversy

• Ginobili Played Very Recklessly. He Got a name From Teammate Brent Barry “El Contusion”
• His two Other Brothers are also Professional Basketball Players
• There is a Famous statement about Ginobili that he Might be the only Argentinian who is not much into Soccer

3. Tony Parker

Position: Point Guard

Playing Career: 1999-2019

Tony Parker will always be one of the spur’s best players. The French man was a terrific ball handler. For more than two decades, he was able to penetrate through most defenses with his handling skills.

Name	William Anthony Parker Jr.
Date of Birth	17 May 1982
Birth Place	Bruges, Belgium
Current Age	40
Occupation	Point Guard
Net Worth	Approximately $45 Million
Height	6 ft 2 in
Weight	84 kg
Ethnicity	Belgium Descent
Eye Color	Black
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per Game	19,473 (15.5 PPG)
Rebounds Per Game	3,396 (2.7 RPG)
Assists Per Game	7,036 (5.6 APG)

Career

• Parker started playing for the Spurs in 2001. He appeared in 77 regular-season games and ended the season averaging 9.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per game.
• • In the following season, Parker played all 82 regular seasons and improved his regular season statistics averaging 15.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.
• Even though Parker won a championship with the Spurs, they weren’t sure about him. San Antonio tried to make a deal with New Jersey Nets’ Jason Kidd for Parker, but they failed.
• In 2004-5 seasons, Parker became more powerful, tallying 16.6 ppg, 6.1 APG, and a career-high 3.7 RPG.
• In 2005-after 6 seasons, Parker was selected for the first time in his career as an NBA All-Star. His average earning point was higher than Duncan’s in that season.
• The next few seasons went as well as usual for Parker. In the 2008-09 season, the Spurs started the game with three losses, and Parker handed their first victory and made a career-highest point of 55.
• On 4 February 2012, Parker earned 4,477 assists, the all-time assist leader of the franchise.
• On May 2014, Parker,  Duncan, and Ginobili recorded the most wins in playoff history by a trio of players playing together.

Achievement

• Won Four NBA Championship
• NBA Finals MVP 2007
• Six-Time NBA All-Star

Fun Facts and Controversy

• Before getting drafted by San Antonio, Parker visited the Spurs club two time for summer camp, and there he caught the eyes of coach Gregg Popovich

• Parker’s involvement with his teammate and San Antonio guard Brent Barry’s wife, Erin Barry, caused him a lot of trouble

4. David Robinson

Position: Center

Playing Career: 1989-2003

If Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili are the prince of the Spurs, then San Antonio’s king is David Robinson. He played for 14 years, his entire career with Spurs, and became Spur’s best player of all time.

Name	David Maurice Robinson
Date of Birth	August 6, 1965
Birth Place	Key West, Florida
Current Age	57
Occupation	Center
Net Worth	Approximately $230 Million
Height	7 ft 1 in
Weight	113 kg
Ethnicity	American
Eye Color	Blue
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per Game	20,790 (21.1 PPG)
Rebounds Per Game	10,497 (10.6 RPG)
Assists Per Game	2,954 (3.0 BPG)

Career

• San Antonio drafted Robinson in 1987. But he was at the naval academy Spurs had to wait two years for Robinson to finally came to the club. Before Robinson’s arrival, Spurs passed a 21-61 win losses record, the worst time in club history. In Robison’s turnaround, the board and Spurs recorded 56–26 season.
• In 1992, Robinson was a member of the Olympic Dream team and won the gold medal in Barcelona.
• Robinson earned his career-high 29.8 points per game in the 1993-94 season with  10.7 rebounds per game, career-high 4.8 assists per game, and 3.3 blocks per game.
• In early 1997, Robinson hurt his back and waited till December to return. When he re-entered, he broke his foot after six games and missed the regular season. At that time,  Spurs got the NFA draft lottery, and they chose Duncan, who became the key to fulfilling Robinson’s championship-winning dream.
• Robinson won the NBA Championship in 1999 by beating New York Knicks in five games.
• In the 1999-00 season, Robinson played 80 games, scoring 17.8 points per game, 10.0 rebounds per game, and 2.3 blocks per game.
• Before going to retirement in the 2002-03 season, Robinson once again made the Spurs NBA Championship. He scored 13 points, as well as getting 17 rebounds, in the final against New Jersey.

Achievement

• Won NBA Championship in 1999, 2003
• In 1995, Robinson was selected as the NBA Most Valuable player
• 10 Time NBA All-Star
• NBA Defensive Player of the year in 1992
• NBA Rookie of the Year in 1990

Fun Facts and Controversy

• Robinson is known as the best basketball player in the US Naval Academic history
• He is not just skilled in physical games; Robinson very is very good at chess too

5. George Gervin

Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward

Playing Career: 1972-1990

George Gervin is known as the scoring machine of the San Antonio Spurs. He played with the Spurs for 12 years and won career-scoring titles four times, three times in a row.

Name	George Gervin
Date of Birth	April 27, 1952
Birth Place	Detroit, Michigan, US
Current Age	70
Occupation	Shooting Guard / Small Forward
Net Worth	Approximately $4 Million
Height	6 ft 7 in
Weight	82 kg
Ethnicity	American
Eye Color	Brown
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per Game	26,595 (25.1 RPG)
Rebounds Per Game	5,602 (5.3 RPG)
Assists Per Game	2,798 (2.6 APG)

Career

• Gervin used to play in the ABA league for the Spurs; his first NBA scoring started in the 1977–78 season. This year Spurs lost the chance to be in the NBA finals just by one game.
• From the next three seasons, 1978 to 1980, Gervin became the lead scorer of the league. From 1978-1980 he finished every season with a high of 33.1 points per game, and again in 1982. Prior to Michel Jordan, Gervin was the highest-scoring player in the league as a guard.
• Gervin missed three games in the 1981 season; Ron Brewer replaced his position and scored 30ppg. When Gervin returned, he scored 40+ points per game.
• In the 1981–82 season, the Spurs become a Western Conference franchise, finishing second in the conference with a 48-34 record. Gervin led the league at 29.5 ppg.
• To reduce offensive pressure from Gervin, the Spurs drafted high-scoring guard Oliver Robinson and Tony Grier in the 1982 off-season. With full of new talent in the team,  San Antonio again finished second in the Western Conference. Gervin ended the league with an average of 25.2 points per game.
• In the 1985-86 season, Spurs’ best player Gervin was traded to Chicago Bulls for forward David Greenwood. They exchanged Gervin cause he missed multiple preseason work out, and then the new coach may put him on the bench.
• Gervin was aging and wasn’t the all-star player at all, but he was still very effective, scored averaging 16.2 ppg, and had another 40-point game performance.

Achievement

• A Nine-Time NBA All-Star Player
• Awarded With NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1980
• Four-Time NBA Scoring Champion

Fun Facts and Controversy

• Gervin started his rookie season with the legend Julius Erving and played his last season with all-time goat Michael Jordan
• In college, Gervin was a high temper boy; he punched a Roanoke player during the NCAA College Division national semifinal game in Evansville, Indiana

6. Sean Elliott

Position: Small Forward

Playing Career: 1989-2001

Sean Elliott is an all-time best player of the Spurs. He won the NBA championship and the 1986 FIBA World Championship; he won the gold medal in that tournament.

Name	Sean Michael Elliott
Date of Birth	February 2, 1968
Birth Place	Tucson, Arizona, U.S
Current Age	54
Occupation	Small Forward
Net Worth	Approximately $20 Million
Height	6 ft 8 in
Weight	100 kg
Ethnicity	American
Eye Color	Brown
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per Game	10,544 (14.2 PPG)
Rebounds Per Game	3,204 (4.3 RPG)
Assists Per Game	1,897 (2.6 APG)

Career

• Elliott was the third pick in the 1989 NBA draft by San Antonio. In his rookie season, he started 69 games of 81 appearances and finished the season with an average of 10 points per game.
• In the next season, the Spurs promoted Elliott to the permanent starting lineup. He improved his statistics in that season to 15.9 points a game. The Spurs won 55 games to enter the playoff season but lost against Golden State Warriors in their first game.
• Elliott continuously improved his scoring; in the 1991-92 season, his per-game point was 16.3. It increased to 17.2 per game points in the 1992–93 season. That season, he scored career-high 41 points against the Dallas Mavericks on December 18, 1992.
• Elliott and his teammates Robinson were named to play in the 1993 NBA All-Star Game. Elliott scored 17 points in game 3 and 19 points in game 4, and his average points per game were 15.8 in the playoff season.
• In the 1993-94 season, Elliott was sent to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for multiple players. He stayed there for the season; Pistons tried to resell him,  but Elliott had a kidney problem, so the deal got void. After a year, he was sent back to the Spurs for the draft rights of Bill Curley.
• Spurs entered into the final of the NBA in the 1998–1999 season, defeated New York Knicks in five games, and became the champion. Elliott made averaged 11.9 points in 17 games in the playoffs.

Achievement

• The NBA Champion in 1999
• Two-time NBA All-Star 1993, 1996
• NBA All-Rookie Second Team of 1990
• 1989 NABC Player of the Year

7. James Silas

Position: Point Guard

Playing Career: 1972-1982

James Silas is sixth in total points in franchise history, with 10,290, and eighth in assists, with 2,406. He played nine seasons with the Spurs and was the best player in the 80s.

Name	James Edward Silas
Date of Birth	February 11, 1949
Birth Place	Tallulah, Louisiana
Current Age	73
Occupation	Point Guard
Net Worth	Approximately $5 Million
Height	6 ft 1 in
Weight	82 kg
Ethnicity	American
Eye Color	Not Available
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per Game	11,038 (16.1 PPG)
Rebounds Per Game	2,068 (3.0 RPG)
Assists Per Game	2,628 (3.8 APG)

Career

• In the 1972 NBA draft, Silas was selected by the Houston Rockets. However, he was freed by the Rockets before the season started and joined Dallas Chaparrals. He played there in the ABA league and proved his worth. Silas was named ABA All-Rookie team.
• In the 1972–73 season, Chaparrals was sold to the Spurs. Silas continued playing in the ABA league and was named to the ABA All-Star team in 1975 and 1976, as well as the All-ABA 2nd team in 1975 and All-ABA 1st team in 1976.
• Statistically, Silas’ career-best year was 1976, when he averaged 23.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game.
• Silas played for the Spurs for the ninth season, including the year with Chaparrals. The Spurs joined the NBA in 1976. Silas played in the NBA for the Spurs from 1976 to 1981.
• In 1981, Silas was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and played one year for them.

Achievement

• Two-Time ABA All-Star 1975, 1975
• All-ABA First Team 1976

Interesting Facts and Controversy

• In 1984, Silas went to retirement and became the first number ever to retire by the San Antonio Spurs. Alongside Silas, only ten other players have been awarded this trophy by the franchises
• Silas is called “Captain Late” cause he was perfect at the late game and always stayed kinda dead at starting the game

8. Kawhi Leonard

Position: Small Forward

Playing Career: 2011-Present

In 2011 Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker were at their career twilight point. Back then, it seemed like the coming of new talent in the club had stopped, and no one picked up the fallen position of the team. Then Kawhi Leonard came along like the savior of the Spurs.

Name	Kawhi Anthony Leonard
Date of Birth	June 29, 1991
Birth Place	Los Angeles, California, U.S
Current Age	31
Occupation	Small Forward
Net Worth	Approximately $80 Million
Height	6 ft 7 in
Weight	110 kg
Ethnicity	American
Eye Color	Black
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per	11,038
Rebounds	4823
Assists	1754

Career

• The Indiana Pacers selected Leonard in the 2011 NBA draft as the overall 15th pick. However, he was traded to the Spurs that night in exchange for George Hill, along with the rights to Erazem Lorbek and Dāvis Bertāns.
• In 2012, Spurs’ Richard Jefferson was traded to Golden State Warriors for Stephen Jackson. After Jefferson left, Leonard was promoted to the starting game as a small forward, while Jackson served as his backup.
• On April 6, 2014, against Memphis Grizzlies, Leonard earned a season-high 26 points and defeated the Grizzlies 112-92 points. He completed the season averaging 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 52.2% from the field.
• On June 10, 2014, Leonard scored a career-high 29 points in a 111–92 win game against Miami Heat in the NBA finals and was named NBA Finals MVP. Leonard became the third youngest player to win that trophy.
• In the 2014-15 season,  Leonard suffered an eye injury and missed six preseasons and opening games. He debuted on October 31 against Phoenix Suns.
• On April 15, Leonard scored 26 points and a career-high seven steals against Golden State Warriors.
• In 2018, it was reported that Leonard asked for a trade from the Spurs, and a month later, he was traded to Toronto Raptors.

Achievement

• Won NBA championship two times- 2014, 2019
• Two-time NBA Finals MVP
• Five-time NBA All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019-2021)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP 2020

Fun Facts and Controversy

Leonard’s nickname is “The Claw”; he got this name cause of his enormous hand and feet. His palms measurement reeds 11.25 by 9.75 in, 52 percent greater than the average human palm size.

9. Bruce Bowen

Position: Small Forward

Playing Career: 1993-2009

Bruce Bowen is someone whose importance in the Spurs can’t be measured by statistics. His dirty defense and sticky marking were a scary thing for all the opponents; he could turn around a situation at any time.

Name	Bruce Eric Bowen Jr.
Date of Birth	June 14, 1971
Birth Place	Merced, California, U.S.
Current Age	31
Occupation	Small Forward
Net Worth	Approximately $12 Million
Height	6 ft 7 in
Weight	91 KJ
Ethnicity	American
Eye Color	N/A
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per	5,290 (6.1 PPG)
Rebounds	2,428 (2.8 RPG)
Assists	1,089 (1.2 APG)

Career

• Bowen debuted his NBA career with Miami Heat in 1997 and later played for Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. San Antonio signed him in the 2001–02 NBA season. Bowen established himself as the starter in 59 regular season games.
• In the following season,  Bowen started all ten playoff games for the Spurs. He was nominated for the All-Defensive Second Team, although he faced massive criticism.
• In the 2002-03 season, Bowen started all 82 regular seasons game and finished the season with an average of 7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 31.3 minutes per game.
• By the time of the 2003-04 season,  Bowen was an NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award runners-up, three straight All-Defensive First Team elected; he was Spur’s best player then.
• Bowen, along with the Spurs team, won the NBA title in 2005 by defeating Detroit Pistons. And next year, Bowen was again charged with a $10,000 NBA fine for kicking Ray Allen in the back during a March 2006 game.
• In the 2008–09 NBA season,  Bowen played his last season with Spurs. In that season, he was not a starter anymore; his time was reduced from 30+ to 18.9 per game.

Achievement

• Three-time NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007)
• Five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team (2004-2008)
• Three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001-2003)

Fun Facts and Controversy

• Bowen kicked Wally Szczerbiak in the face during game time in his first season with the Spurs, and he was fined $7000
• Bowen was the center of the discussion in the 2007 NBA playoffs. His knee contact with Phoenix Suns guards Steve Nash put Nash on the floor

10. Alvin Robertson

Position: Shooting Guard

Playing Career: 1984-1997

Alvin Robertson played five seasons with San Antonio, and it was enough to make him the all-time Spur’s best player. He is the only guard in the history of the NBA who earned a quadruple-double.

Name	Alvin Cyrrale Robertson
Date of Birth	July 22, 1962
Birth Place	Barberton, Ohio
Current Age	60
Occupation	Shooting Guard
Net Worth	Approximately $3 Million
Height	6 ft 4 in
Weight	94 kg
Ethnicity	American
Eye Color	N/A
Gender	Male

NCAA Career:

Points Per	10,882 (14.0 PPG)
Rebounds	4,066 (5.2 RPG)
Assists	2,112 (2.7 SPG)

Career

• In the 1984 NBA draft, the Spurs picked Robertson in the seventh pick. He played college football at the University of Arkansas.
• After playing with Spurs for five seasons, Robertson went to Milwaukee Bucks. Later, he played for Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and Florida Beach Dogs. Robertson was also a part of the 1984 U.S. Olympic gold-medal team.
• Robertson won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1986 and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the same year.
• Robertson has the top career steals-per-game record in the history of the NBA, scoring 2.71 per contest over 779 career games.
• Robertson played only five seasons with the Spurs and became the third most career steals earner in the franchise history with 1129.
• At that time, he also has a record of stealing in 105 consecutive matches. Later, Chris Paul broke the record by recording steals in 108 straight games.
• In 1989, the Spurs traded Robertson, Cadillac Anderson, and Frank Kornet to the Milwaukee Bucks for Terry Cummings and Tony Massenburg.

Achievement

• Won NBA All-Star Four-Time
• All-NBA Second Team in 1986
• NBA Defensive Player of the Year 1986
• NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1987, 1991
• NBA Most Improved Player in 1986

Fun Facts and Controversy

In 2010, Robertson was arrested, and they charged him with the alleged sexual assault of a child, child, trafficking an underage child for sex, and forcing a sexual performance by a child. However, later he was found not guilty.

Conclusion

Above mentioned all are Spur’s best players; the honorable mentioned are- Johnny Moore, Larry Kenon, Artis Gilmore, Dennis Rodman, Michael Finley, etc. The Spurs are still producing the world’s best NBA players. Thank you for being with us all that time; if anything else you want to know, just let us know, and we will find the answer for you.

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