How GOOD Was David Robinson Actually?

David Robinson had one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time. He was one of the greatest players of all time. But how good was he actually? What made him so special and what were his shortcomings? Hope you enjoy the video!
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► Sources:
Stats and box-scores from Basketball-Reference.com
#nba

[@RideWitMe1]

The Admiral was so good that he dropped 71 points once to beat out Shaq to win the scoring title by .5 point.

[@VictorHernandez-ot9dy]

They let him score

[@TheIcemanthomas]

@@VictorHernandez-ot9dy no they didnt. Go watch the game.

[@greatomeister675]

They rarely talk about David Robinsons 71 points lol thats odd

[@vuls81]

Well, his team made a great effort for him to make sure Shaq didn't win the scoring title

[@Bwwe82090]

That's amazing!

[@stivstilianos980]

He is the only player along with Jordan to have won an MVP , a Dpoy and a scoring title .

[@hastensavoir7782]

Bailey Jordan did it all in the same season and more. He’s still the great Center I would have wanted to play with MJ

[@scootmaster8823]

Panasony MicroOled Mj wasn't a center

[@hastensavoir7782]

Scoot Master Robinson is still the great Center I would have wanted to play with MJ

[@masonrudolphsbae6225]

Panasony MicroOled but but but MJ wasn’t a center 😭

[@hastensavoir7782]

Mason Rudolph’s Bae DAVID ROBINSONNN

[@cbixby8335]

The admiral is built like a superhero one of my favorite centers

[@clementinelives]

Being that swole on a 7'1" frame is mental

[@davidstring8301]

He was dominant for the entire decade. He didn't need to score as much once they got Duncan. His defense was still amazing

[@brucelau2023]

David Robinson AKA the Admiral , man he was an insane beast for San Antonio before he paired with the big fundamental , but he’s one of the nicest guys when he was playing in the NBA

[@DonutIgnoramus]

Err0r declining autographs does not make you a bad person.

[@pierrehasntcomeoutyet3748]

@Err0r look a lot of people claimed when meeting Admiral he was very nice also he served in the navy doesnt that count something the guy might have declined an autograph but the guy did more good things than bad things

[@yvans.]

Err0r all players or celebrity does that you can’t sign every autographs 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@suraj8148]

Err0r just shut the fuck up please

[@daddygreen9399]

@Err0r you're only answer is he didnt sign autographs blah blah blah it doesnt matter because even if he denied signing autographs, doesnt mean hes mean personally

[@soullessSiIence]

3.9 blocks per game and only got 3rd team all defense

[@Chocolouf]

Blocks aren't automatically an indication of a good defender.

[@armandodelossantos736]

It must've been the years that Olajuwon was avg 4.6b, 2.2s and 14r(10 defensive), because in today's league 3.9b a game gets you a unanimous dpoy

[@jayhay8]

Despair 2nd Team all defense. Third Team all nba you mixed them up

[@yarmus718]

@@Chocolouf LMAO... If you block 4 shots per game, think about how many shots that you alter... Thats a huge impact on the game

[@jayhay8]

Armando De Los Santos not true. Hassan Whiteside got 3.7 blocks a game in 2016 and didn’t get DPoY or even all defensive first team.

[@darththew]

Dave is the reason why I started watching spurs way back in 91

[@ronaldyudoadityo8192]

same here, before David I was rooting for Magic for 1-2 years, just because every else love MJ.

[@tannerrienbolt5248]

One of the most underrated stars of all time, no one ever talks about the Admiral and I don’t know why

[@breezy3054]

Tanner Rienbolt Hakeem raped him thts why

[@Panther016]

I think the video clearly explained why....

[@bigpanda2000]

Baller Doge not really. If anything this video showed that he should be talked about more, he’s a former leave mvp and two time champ, not to mention one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time.

[@Panther016]

@@bigpanda2000 Yeah I agree that he should be talked about more. I'm sure the video backs that up. I was replying to "why no one talks about the Admiral" though and that's because he's overshadowed by the other greats of that time that saw more playoff success.

[@1fastford795]

It’s because he’s a spur they never get the credit they should

[@claudiodelpilar240]

He did really well considering the 90’s were the golden years of the NBA.

[@antithoughtz6167]

Yea for his position

[@DINO92AVFC]

You forgot to mention that his quadruple double is still the most current one. No one has made a quadruple double since 1994.

[@armandodelossantos736]

@Death Trooper if Duncan gets that one, than Olajuwon should have two quad dubs!

[@razkable]

he did it in the finals doe @@armandodelossantos736

[@armandodelossantos736]

@@razkable against who?

[@armandodelossantos736]

@@razkable a 6'9 Kenyon Martin and a 6'9 Aaron Williams?! I wonder if Olajuwon would've avg a quadruple double on them two in the Finals

[@armandodelossantos736]

@Death Trooper you mean LeBron's last 3 years of basketball?

[@carlosemackey9464]

Bro please keep the intro melody, it's pure magic for the videos. Love the channel

[@namanloomba2894]

Fully agreed with your point

[@RequiemForABuckeye]

No

[@Doknot-tb9ey]

The intro melody is wonderful.

[@AgentFortySeven47]

All of the music he uses is awesome. It honestly separates his channel from the rest.

[@hydeseaick2587]

He is one of the Dream Team members. And he's my favorite. Robinson is a legend.

[@ChucksterOLove]

Robinson is one of the top 10 centers EVER. He was an MVP and one time NBA champion who scored a QUADRUPLE double. He was an amazing versatile scorer and a nightmare on defense. I'm not sure why Robinson gets a bad rap. He wasn't as good as Hakeem, BUT every team in the league would have taken him after the Dream. He totally turned around a struggling team and made them contenders. Robinson is a top 10 center EVER, no doubt about it... 🏆

[@jennylynlavisores1026]

2 time nba champion

[@DiabloBiscuit]

Top five

[@appendexhouse7735]

@@DiabloBiscuit top five is a bit much

[@dannygrant639]

@@DiabloBiscuit that’s a stretch, not top 5 but definitely top 10

[@TheECSH]

He was a great player, but more than that, he has always been a great person, a serviceman to the country, a role model who put his ego aside, a leader in the locker room, and in his retired years a contributor who gives so much back to the community.

[@bigb2610]

The Admiral is a great person who happens to be a NBA legend. He is a great role model

[@theshawshankinception1220]

Jason no dude, in the end none of that matters. The real world isn’t a damn basketball game.

[@coltmills8585]

He's a man of God. Very good person

[@gusfring8405]

@Jason what a dick of a person you are

[@Cynsham]

@Jason well he's the opposite of you lol

[@carlososborne2866]

Man, David Robinson in my opinion laid the Spurs Foundation for what the Spurs became. He its probably the most Generous Athlete in a long time , talking about giving your money away for good causes. I hope people Remember his Character more than his so-call short comings. He was a hell of a player, one of the quickest, fastest big man in the Game. And a super Defensive player. And the way he took Tim Duncan under his wing and gracefully passed the torch without any egos. Still has an impact on Today's Spurs and Spurs to be in the way they buy in to the TEAM culture. Like POP says" We like to get Players that have gotten OVER THEMSELVES before they get here".

[@jenniferbrantley6431]

YES

[@TheSub-SaharanAmericanLegend]

Yessir

[@SOLACE214]

Obviously as a Mavs fan im Jealous of the Spurs Success but The Admiral has to be the most respected and honorable player (IMHO), in the league's history.

[@robotube7361]

and yore not jealous of Houston's Texas dominance?

[@Apple_Teck]

Anyone with any type of basketball IQ understands if you are the lone superstar on a playoff team they are going to double and triple team you, which means you’re going to score less points and probably lose the playoff series. That’s exactly what happened to David Robinson prior to acquiring Tim Duncan.

[@dean_schroeder3]

You should talk about Deron Williams, a player who was debatably at one point the best point guard in the league, and how he fell off so fast

[@vuls81]

Someone did a vid on your topic of interest

[@VonJaye]

Cold cold World His injury’s has nothing to do with how bad he played it was more of a mental issue

[@jayvon221]

It was never a debate deron williams was good but nobody with eyes thought he was better than jason kidd (00-04 ) steve nash (04-08)chris paul (08-11) or d rose and he wasn't better than westbrook or curry after that he was at best a top 5 pg from 08 to 10 but that's it

[@VonJaye]

jay pullum don’t disrespect him like that He def was a top 2 pg him and cp3 was argued as the best during that time on the jazz

[@jayvon221]

@@VonJaye he wasn't better than nash or tony parker from 06-10 i dont even think he was better than baron davis at his peak daron williams was a above avg pg the kyle lowry of his day

[@imraangill5630]

Hi Andy, great video, I have a video suggestion: How good was Rip Hamilton actually? He is very underrated.

[@varson1884]

How GOOD was Alonzo Mourning actually

[@denistuohy2535]

This would be an interesting video

[@mitchelllong5848]

Denis Tuohy yah good one,

[@Doknot-tb9ey]

Yes.

[@atlaslion5128]

Varson 188 Alonzo Mourning was really damn good. But sadly his health was destroyed by a kidney disease in his prime.

[@leokizzo3515]

No where as good as David Robinson

[@flytipping8314]

My favourite player of all time, The Admiral. He doesn't have a lot of help in his prime

[@ingolfurmagnusson4786]

He had good help considering the era. Most teams back then had 1-2 stars. The Admiral had Cummings, Sean Elliot, Rod Strickland and Avery Johnson to name a few. Not the best help but comparing to Ewing, Drexler, Hakeem, Shaq and Barkley it's similar.

[@qm7374]

How good was Nick Van Exel? Like so Andy can see

[@israelPoplife]

Jaja

[@akvalues]

No kidding!!

[@jaybrown7811]

He was a beast

[@emutv4100]

hes my uncle favorite player

[@mlkchannel5890]

How good was Vernon Maxwell

[@swpdisciple]

I don’t really agree with this vid, though I usually agree with Andy’s vids. All I have to say is look at DRob’s career PER, Win shares, Wins above replacement, defensive win shares and probably most importantly his career record and stats head-to-head with the best centers of the era including Hakeem Olajuwon. DRob is super underrated and his problem was that he came into the league late and after the back injury wasn’t the same. His first 7 years stack up well with every great center ever (obviously you have to take Wilt out).

[@eliadler5228]

Thank you that’s what I was sauinu

[@ingolfurmagnusson4786]

Being regarded as top 8 center of all time is in my books not being underrated. Those guys are all absolute legends. Due to Robinsons' lack of postseason success in his prime it would be hard to place him in the top 5 but it's possible.

[@melvinrivera8589]

Imagine if Tim Duncan and DRob traded places? We’d be talking about how under appreciated Tim was instead of DRob. My point is that Duncan was put in a better situation, playing on a veteran team with an established Superstar in DRob. There was an expectation for sure but the pressure was not on him. I’m a huge fan of both players. Wish they played their entire career together.

[@pickleell4457]

The nicest NBA player ever

[@danielplainview2360]

David Robinson was the man. Unfortunately it was the 90s and getting thru the Western Conference playoffs was always a bloodbath. It never even mattered what seed you landed. From the top down, those teams were loaded!

[@drlight6677]

Yep. Suns, Trailblazers, Supersonics, Jazz, Rockets, Lakers (from '97 onwards), getting to the NBA Finals from the Western Conference meant you pretty much had to beat two championship-calibre teams just to make it to the Finals, and then you still had to face the Bulls 6 out of those 10 seasons lol.

[@ja8ames]

@@drlight6677 When you look at all those Western teams, every one of them at least reached the finals and several pushed the Bull hard there, or won a championship, with their core personnel of the era. Basically they all would've won championships if not for Michael Jordan, and lots of great players went home empty. Fortunately Robinson got to enjoy a couple of rings himself once Poppovich and Duncan arrived and the Spurs really gelled as a team.

[@drlight6677]

@@ja8ames Fortunately for Robinson too the Bulls disbanded after '98 when he finally won in '99 against a mediocre Knicks team that was easily the worst team to make the Finals that decade.

[@FuShengAlex]

@@drlight6677 they probably couldve beat the Bulls so don't put a damper on what they achieved in 99. TD was a better PF than Karl Malone at both ends.

[@eazyeinthe503]

I always liked him just because he had really good faith in God

[@marktorres1849]

Rumor has it he was a total jerk to fans and he got destroyed by the dream I was there it was brutal

[@RicardoAGuitar]

7:49 no, Hakeem had NOT consistently outplayed Robinson prior to that series. It was pretty even, with both men shooting below their usual percentages

[@srj34]

More to the point, is one playoff series an entire career? Of course not. Including the playoffs, this is what happened between these two players throughout their head-to-head careers: 48 games played, Robinson's team 32 wins, Olajuwon's team 16 wins ROBINSON 38.1 MPG, .554 TS% (48.3 FG%, 72.6 FT%), 20.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 3.2 BPG, 2.1 SPG, 3.2 TOPG, 3.5 FOULS OLAJUWON 38.4 MPG, .506 TS% (45.7 FG%, 77.8 FT%), 23.6 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 3.5 BPG, 1.8 SPG, 3.2 TOPG, 4.1 FOULS Aside from shooting (Robinson's big advantage) and scoring (Olajuwon's big advantage) every other statistical category is pretty much a dead heat. Olajuwon has a +0.3 in minutes, rebounds, and blocks and a +0.2 in assists. Robinson has a +0.3 in steals and a 0.6 in fouls committed, although defensive fouls aren't necessarily very detrimental. They can be if the team is in the penalty, resulting in free throws, but the fouls committed aren't itemized. There are some stipulations about the careers of both men to be aware of: 1) Basically, when it comes to David Robinson's career, there was the eight seasons (really seven) before Duncan, then the last six with him. Obviously, that meant fewer shot attempts with Duncan than before, especially in those final two seasons. On the plus side, Duncan (and Gregg Popovich running the show) meant more opportunities to win than before 2) When Olajuwon and Robinson met up for those 1995 Western Conference Finals, it was the first WCF in Robinson's six NBA seasons. For Olajuwon, 1995 was his eleventh season, second straight WCF and third overall, including two Finals appearances. A fair-minded person would have to concede that there is an advantage in having reached those heights before versus someone making their first trip. For that matter, 1995 was the first season the Spurs had ever won two playoff series in a single playoff before. (They'd been to the CF in the past, but back then teams didn't need to win two playoff series to do it) 3) One might be tempted to say, "Well, yes, Robinson's teams won more of the matchups, but that was because of the years with Duncan and Popovich" For the record, with Duncan on the floor and Popovich on the bench, Robinson won the matchup with Olajuwon all ten times they played. And if you want to count their one matchup in Popovich's first year coaching the Spurs (that was Duncan's last year at Wake Forest), you can. Robinson still has a 21-16 wins advantage all told, and this is counting the playoffs. 4) In a lot of ways, Robinson and Olajuwon had extremely similar careers. Their first coach was a Hall of Famer who won a championship elsewhere (Larry Brown for Robinson, Bill Fitch for Olajuwon), and their second coach had previously played for the club (John Lucas for Robinson, Don Chaney for Olajuwon). Both centers ended up winning two championships paired with coaches bearing family roots in the former Yugoslavia (Gregg Popovich for Robinson, Rudy Tomjanovich for Olajuwon). Time to look at their head-to-head numbers before Duncan and Popovich arrived.

[@srj34]

And now we examine the head-to-head careers of David Robinson versus Hakeem Olajuwon...minus the Tim Duncan years...BUT, we're including the one playoff series David and Hakeem played together. This is before Gregg Popovich for Robinson, but Olajuwon is playing under his best coach. I have slanted this about as far in Hakeem's direction as I could short of just presenting the 1995 WCF stats only. First, the record: Robinson 21 wins, Olajuwon 16 wins. Now, the stats: ROBINSON 40.2 MPG, .546 TS% (47.5 FG%, 73.4 FT%), 21.8 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 3.7 BPG, 2.1 SPG, 3.5 TOPG, 3.5 FOULS OLAJUWON 39.9 MPG, .501 TS% (45.1 FG%, 79.6 FT%), 24.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 3.6 BPG, 2.0 SPG, 3.1 TOPG, 4.4 FOULS I mean, if you're looking at all this and still thinking Olajuwon is clearly better I don't know what to say. What evidence are you clinging to at this point?

[@FuShengAlex]

@@srj34 At the end of the day, Olajuwon generally elevated his level of play in the playoffs in his career. Robinson was not able to play at the level of his regular season come playoffs. It was actually the 94 playoffs that showed who was the better Center....not the 95 WCF meeting. The Rockets roster that year wasnt anymore or less talented than the Spurs roster. Robinson really struggled vs Utah and took a huge dip (vs his regular season averages) in the opening round. Olajuwon absolutely dominated individually vs Utah. Robinson was a great Center, unfortunately his Achilles heel offensively is he never developed a real back to the basket game. It was more easier for defenses to scheme against him in the playoffs than Hakeem who was equally adept posting up or facing the basket and gave opponents a bit more to think about.

[@srj34]

@@FuShengAlex I don't deny that Robinson never developed his offensive game much beyond plays that played to his athletic advantages. I don't deny that Olajuwon was a great playoff performer, better than Robinson or, for that matter, most players. I have no problem if someone wants to put Olajuwon ahead of Robinson on those bases. What I do object to is the idea that Olajuwon was clearly and obviously a greater player than David Robinson when the preponderance of the evidence doesn't jibe with that premise. ***I need to be crystal clear, my previous posts are aimed at those who make that argument - I'm not sure you're making that particular argument here*** What's interesting is to explore what you did, shifting the argument from one playoff series (95 WCF) to two others (1994 round one, 1994 WCF). And what's interesting is this: you're correct, the Spurs and Rockets were pretty close in talent in 1994 - but the crucial distinction between the two is in the frontcourt. Dennis Rodman is in the HOF, and Otis Thorpe is not. Thorpe has a non-zero chance of making the HOF (BBRef's HOF monitor puts at 0.6%, but there are only 67 NBA players with more Win Shares. That's pretty good.) Thorpe was nothing like Rodman (nobody really was) in that Thorpe's value was on offense, not defense. Now, Thorpe didn't exactly tear it up against the Jazz, but just having him on the floor for 35 minutes a game with Olajuwon is enough to keep the defense honest. Who else in the frontcourt, besides Robinson, did the Spurs offense present problems to? Terry Cummings had injured his knee two years prior and was never the same. JR Reid was a decent role-player, but not close to what Cummings had been and Thorpe was. Antoine Carr had taken a big step down from his first two years in San Antonio. Dale Ellis was a perimeter player. Facing Olajuwon and Thorpe was a lot bigger problem for the Jazz interior defense than Robinson and Rodman. The problem I see here with your arguments is that this narrative exists about the careers of Robinson and Olajuwon and you seem keen on maintaining that narrative, and your refusal to address any counter evidence (the phrase "At the end of the day" is a classic dodge in that regard) or dig deeper makes it clear to me that you're not especially interested in challenging that conventional wisdom. Maybe I'm wrong, and if I am please point out how.

[@FuShengAlex]

@@srj34 well basically I only stated Olajuwon was clearly superior to Robinson based on his playoff performances moreso than their h2h meetings. To say he was FAR above Robinson as a C is hyperbole, especially before the WCF meeting. In fact Robinson's pre Duncan Spurs tended to have better records in the regular season than Hakeems Rockets. I think Hakeem was a slightly better than Robinson prior to winning the title in 94. His resume as a player was 'slightly' better than Robinson's. He'd already led the Rockets to the Finals in only his 2nd season. Now obviously David didnt have anyone as good as pre injury Sampson, but nevertheless Hakeem was shining above peak Showtime with Magic Johnson who (alongside Bird) was the face of the 80s. I highly doubt Robinson couldve had the series Hakeem had (31/11/4 blks 2 stls) alongside Sampson vs a team that great. Now 94. Again I dont think the Rockets were any more talented of a team than the Spurs that year. Vernon, Hakeems 2nd best option shot only 37% for the entire playoffs.....easily the worst 2nd option on any title team in history. Rodman was a flat out better PF than Thorpe and arguably the GOAT rebounder. The problem vs Utah in addition to the supporting cast you mentioned was Robinson had trouble with the physicality of Karl Malone and it threw him off of his game. And it was the same the previous year with Barkley. They were flat out nasty and he didnt match their level of intensity. Hakeem on the other hand wasn't thrown off his game by either. The Rockets had much better 3 pt shooting than the Spurs, but it only worked because Hakeem could post up, play back to the basket and pass out from the paint whereas Robinson with his limitations was forced to hang out on the perimeter shooting jumpers when he couldnt blow past people. I do think very highly of David Robinson, for most nights in the early 90s he and Hakeem were carrying a heavier load for their teams at both ends than anyone else in the NBA Many would call me stupid for this but I would take him over Wilt Chamberlain (another story) amongst Centers who is generally ranked above him and even the GOAT C and player.

[@GHOST91141]

My favorite Centers growing up Hakeem Olajuwon Shaquille O'Neal David Robinson Patrick Ewing Alonzo Mourning

[@MSotelo503]

I would add Arvydas Sabonis and Divac.

[@CavsFanDallasFanSinceFebruary]

So basically 5 of the Top 10 centers in the 90s???

[@antoniomoreira4950]

@@MSotelo503 how are you gonna say that who he admired as a kid is wrong?

[@ethanlee1077]

António Moreira he didn’t say that he just said that in his lost he would add Sabonis and divac

[@Terror832]

My favorite was Kwame Brown. It was fun watching him play like shit lol

[@notmyrealnamedonttrustgoog757]

Even after the injuries and deferring to Duncan he is 5th in PER for career. First to be top 20 in ppg rpg bpg spg and field goal percentage. One of two players to lead league in ppg rpg and bpg for a season. One of 4 to record a quad double. One of a handful to win roy MVP and dpy. One of 3 to record 70 in a game. Still holds record for most points in NCAA tournament game 56 vs eventual champion Michigan in 89. First to play in 3 Olympics and retired from USA bball as all time leading scorer. Only member of dream team to win multiple titles post bird-magic. Chuck Daly wrote that he was so good that of the 4 coaches of the dream team he was the first player ofchoice of 2 coaches even ahead of mj and 2nd and 3rd with other two. Olajuwon destroyed Shaq Barkley and Malone as well and he had a far superior supporting cast to Robinson's and had more defensive help due to Houston s shooters and the Spurs having only one three point threat in the starting 5 Sean elliot. Also built a private elite school for low income kids in San Antonio that he paid for the Carver academy! Oh yeah he also once told a second grade class that if any of them got into college he would pay for it and 15 or 20 of the class of 25 went to college and he kept his word. Only legend so far ofmodern. Era to.go out champ in his last game and he had 13 points and 17 boardswith a.bad back. THATS HOW GOOD DAVID ROBINSON WAS! really cool video

[@rpesik]

David Robinson has one of the nicest personality in the NBA. I think that is also what is holding him back. All great champions has at least a little bit of "a dick" personality. Ego, pushing team mates hard, harassing opposing players, because of their competitive nature. David does not do that because he is a nice guy.

[@YounGala]

Thank you Andy Hoops for inspiring me to make nba videos and I made a nba channel just because of you where I make nba dicussion videos.I hope I become big as you one day🙏

[@bradchad376]

Your vids are pretty good bro KEEP GRINDING

[@basketballtopics6738]

I seen your videos you're going to blow up u earned a new sub

[@sportshighlights2437]

Yo dude you're the black Korzemba😂 keep grinding fam

[@emsan3684]

He's one of the Great Bigs it just so happens that teams in the 80s and 90s are extremely competative to the point that basketball became an MMA.

[@timmathis8326]

As a Rockets fan I loved that Hakeem was always just a step better but Robinson was always one of the Dreams toughest competitors. Agree with your top 10 ranking, glad he eventually got a title.

[@mikevargas4343]

On his peak The Admiral was a monster...defense...offense and running the court...

[@smilkoff]

That commercial "I wanna be like Mike", as a human being, "I wanna be like David".

[@muratuzun9822]

Unfortunately for him, everybody would look over-played in front of a guy such as Hakeem.

[@armandodelossantos736]

I hate how nobody talks about Olajuwon dominating 4 of the all time top 10 centers in the WCF and Finals! Kareem with showtime Lakers 31p12r,4b, Ewing 27p,9r,4b, Robinson 37p,12r,5b, Shaq 33p,11r,4b! That's my #2, #5, #6, #9 best centers of all time

[@Marlowe10100]

@@armandodelossantos736 Hakeem should be a top 10 player ever witthout a doubt.

[@bigpanda2000]

Bruno .Doinel he’s number 4 on my list but that’s just imo.

[@mustafeasad9377]

@@armandodelossantos736 and he was alone i think he only played one all star from 1987 to 1996 and it was maxwell 1992

[@armandodelossantos736]

@@mustafeasad9377 nope Maxwell never made an all star team. Otis Thorpe was a reserve all star in 92' tho

[@totterymanx]

I don't think he got as much help as other players until Duncan shown up. The first few years they played together were menacing. Robinson took less shots because they found a groove and won rings for it. Robinson is ranked 10th all time for defensive win shares, 4th for defensive rating, 4th for blocks, and 1st for defensive +/-. He was a beast.

[@highlightboy23]

Can you make a documentary about another great Spur, Alvin Robertson? I knew that he had a remarkable career and once recorded a quadruple double but he got off court issues until now.

[@matthewhodges892]

Top 10 or even top 8 greatest Centers of all time!!! Joking! Cannot name 9 better centers than the Admiral. I put him 5th - 7th

[@TheAlphaSantos]

Big facts The Admiral was a Top 5-7 Center of all time easily

[@guillermovazquez1084]

Easily top 10

[@markuscordova2246]

I put him as 7th myself, under Kareem, Russell, Hakeem, Shaq, Wilt and Moses.

[@Cynsham]

Hard to say, but i'd say he's one of the top 5-7 centers of all time. just so many great big men to choose from back then.

[@o7_AP]

Him and the Ice Man are big spurs legends that are highly underrated

[@joetorres1906]

He never really had real 2and, or 3rd scoring options play along with him. The offensive load was solely on him until Timmy D arrived.

[@tonyaranda6811]

Growing up in a San Antonio Spurs family, I wish I could have saw this man play more. I was only 6 years old when he retired, but watching his highlights leave me in amazement! I am proud to call myself a Spurs fan

[@DiabloBiscuit]

I'm glad that I grew up in the 90s. Watching him play was amazing. I will never forget the night they one their first title. Downtown was the most packed I had ever seen. Cars for miles! Now he is just being a great leader in the greater San Antonio community with the Carver Academy's.

[@LukaDonesnitch]

I was a Spurs fan in the 90's I would feel sorry for David always getting shafted, I watched college basketball as well and barely remembered Tim Duncan in Wake Forest also Chris Paul at his WF stint, but then when he got drafted to the Spurs I was like we might have something.

[@MC_ToyDawg]

I remember the dual between Robinson and Hakeem in the playoffs. That was a epic back and forth battle of the big man in the paint. Ahhhhhh when MEN played the game not flopping pansies...

[@marktorres1849]

Dream destroyed him and rodman at the same time no contest

[@ganeshs8522]

David robinson is so underrated and amazing

[@nofuture_at_all]

MVP award should be given before the Playoffs. It inspire players to play harder in Playoffs.

[@ImKarl]

It also puts a lot of pressure

[@MrKennyWilliams]

@@ImKarl And? Pressure crafts a Diamond

[@ImKarl]

@@MrKennyWilliams It also crushes confidence if they are being outplayed.

[@MrKennyWilliams]

@@ImKarl adapt or perish? Honestly its why the Timberwolves faulted. They got paid too much too fast, and when they were expected to meet those expectations they cracked. Pressure now, and you don't have to waste your potential later

[@quinnof4390]

What did you smoke and where can I get some?

[@yobaddyobadd6415]

David Robinson is the reason why I started liking the Spurs! Him and Tim Duncan started around the same age.

[@NaiKzOfficial]

*When you average 4 blocks a game as a rookie and only make the All-Defensive 2nd Team....*

[@robotube7361]

When u play in the era of Mutombo and Hakeem thats what happens

[@MrSlashblade]

Hakeem had more blocks

[@Cynsham]

he was seriously outstanding but when you have to compete with hakeem and other absolutely incredible big men even robinson could get overshadowed. doesnt take away from the fact that he was amazing from the second he stepped into the nba.

[@FuShengAlex]

@@Cynsham from 1992-96 .....the greatest era of prime franchise HOF C play. 5 different Centers were averaging at least 20/10 a night for 4 straight seasons. In 1994 and 1995....those are the only seasons in NBA history where the top 3 regular season scorers were Centers. That will NEVER happen again.....I have a better chance of winning the national Lotto Max lottery than that happening again.

[@ingolfurmagnusson4786]

@@robotube7361 And Ewing and Mark Eaton. Defensive centers in the 80's and 90's were no joke

[@nasawalker7594]

Can you imagine if he had gone to the league right out of high school? Scary thought. David was an absolute beast! My nickname for him back then was Mr. Rejection. Whenever I would block someones shot I would get in their face and say Mister Rejeeeection like I was singing a rock song lol man did that piss people off!

[@Count_Up]

I'll just say what others might not. He was good enough to carry the franchise until Papa Duncan elevated his legacy.

[@zobbycar2728]

Bruh he MADE Duncan into a superstar

[@IDK_0402]

Zobby Car tf are you talking about, robinson did not turn tim duncan into a superstar, tim himself along with pop is what made him a superstar.

[@bigpanda2000]

#1 KZbin Fan you can’t say that having Robinson for a few years didn’t help Duncan develop.

[@IDK_0402]

Big Panda the admiral definitely helped with TD's development but he certainly was NOT the main reason the latter became a superstar.

[@danielclark6912]

I'd argue the opposite. I think that Duncan and pops legacy is so great that it's diminished David's legacy.

[@suedestone04]

One of my favourite player in NBA, and he's the reason I love San Antonio Spurs!

[@KillaMusiktv1BlACKEYEDCORN]

Top 15 player of All-time, easy.

[@nachoooooo800]

In an interview Hakeem said: “I was not angry that he won, he had an amazing year and deserved it, he played more games as well.” (Paraphrase) He refers there to the 10 games he missed that year to injury. Kenny Smith’s claim that Hakeem was angry/jealous was an exaggeration, though no doubt Hakeem probs used it as fuel to inspire a better performance. If David played today, he’d easily be the best center in the game. I also admire how he wasn’t selfish but let Timmy D take the reins of the team. It’s a lot better than many others would have done. For this he was rewarded with two rings, last one being the last game of his career, a solid way to go out.

[@wills.1978]

My favorite NBA player of all time. Thanks for making this vid

[@VidaRebornLonewolf]

I remember when he got drafter and did not play until the next year. Being in the Navy and starting to play at 24 really affected him. Like many greats before him, if he had enter the NBA at 19 years of age, or so, it would have been a total different story.

[@toutestvanite350]

Was a beast but got exposed by olajuwon that diminished his legacy a bit.

[@GHOST91141]

I'm a David Robinson fan but when Olajuwon gave him that work it did hurt is legacy a lil bit..

[@solascriptura-e7t]

Hakeem played mad that entire series. He knew he was snubbed on the League MVP trophy.

[@RicardoAGuitar]

It just pisses me off they only played one playoff series against each other. Magic and Bird were in different conferences and faced off three times.

[@Kim-Yo-jong]

If he would have won a championship in his prime on top of the two with duncan he would probably be looked at as a better player than hakeem, ewing, and a lot of other centers. A players legacy can often come down to a single series.

[@marcusaurelius9996]

How do you get "exposed" by the greatest center that ever lived?????? Olajuwon was simply the best player in the league not named Jordan.

[@ferdiansuryoap4081]

One of the center whom averaged 20-25 points/10 rebs/ 4-5 asst/ 3 blocks and 1,5 steals…. I would love to see him in today’s NBA… In my opinion, he would destroy the likes of Anthony Davis or deandre Ayton…

[@gurkanugurlu4962]

I think you made a disrespect on his first championship year and final. He wasn't a roll player on 1999. He averaged 17 points 12 rebounds and 3 block on that series. He was just a second man on that team. Before that season he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds and selected all-star team. As you said he wasn't a great playoff performer and he knew that. After 1998 season he talked Popovich and let the Duncan become the first man then he became champion. I think he was not lucky on his prime. He had 4 seasons over 15+ win share. Sometimes you need some luck.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

I think he needed someone to take the pressure off of him before Tim Duncan. Nobody was really that other guy. They could've at the very least kept Rod Strickland.

[@ECR3]

Exactly no one else on offense after his rookie year was consistent enough he never had a true number 2.

[@foofiiter]

I don't think the PG position that SA surrounded DRob with is talked about enough. SA was too quick to jettison Strickland then using Avery Johnson and to a lesser extent Vinny Del Negro as his PG didn't do him any favors.

[@shermanngjazz]

TD+Admiral = greatest big man duo ever?

[@razkable]

hakeem sampson?...….

[@mcnalga]

@@razkable they weren't together long enough and didn't win a championship

[@waynewilson1068]

Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins 🤔

[@therosethatgrewfromtheconc5735]

Still Tippin at

[@therosethatgrewfromtheconc5735]

Still Tippin They aint even play a whole season soooo

[@kingkungkernitz]

Greg Oden was drafted #1 overall in 2007 over Durant because people felt he could become the next David Robinson. That's definitely saying something about Robinson. Unfortunately it didn't go well for Oden.

[@kingkungkernitz]

@Tod Wilkinson You obviously weren't around in 06-07 then. The sentiment back then by a lot of people was that he was the next great big man at the level of Hakeem, Robinson, Shaq, Duncan

[@chanendlerbong]

Next "How good was..." video is Vlade Divac

[@plutoburn]

When I think of the admiral, I think of how an elite player willingly taken a secondary role and groomed another elite player in Tim Duncan. It's one of the best passing the torch story in sport.

[@atropos0754]

Robinson was an over sized guard. He grew 1 foot in the navy he went from point guard to center. He still played like a guard. Olojuwan was always a center(after soccer)

[@Peakfreud]

Fact's, in Today's game they would have kept him at Guard He'd be Ben Simmons

[@Sega_is_all_i_cd]

There’s no question! Because D Rob scored 71 points in a game! Definitely top 5 Centers of all time!

[@skywarriorbraxton]

I had the opportunity to talk to David Robinson many times! A true champion that went out on top of the NBA mountain!⛰

[@RomeAvalon]

David Robinson was my fav player the reason I started watching basketball believe it or not. The Spurs has been my fav team since he joined the league. He really does not get his just do when all he did was EVERYTHING a center could do in the game of basketball

[@RafaelGarcia-ju1tc]

A great leader also a good follower. From star to role player. Thats why he have his ring. Maybe Iverson should watch this. When he dont want to come off the bench for team's benefit

[@bakgammon]

Not even a good compsrison

[@DarthNight666]

David robinson play in bigman era is very crazy sir Charles Barkley,ewing,hakem,shaq,malone that's very difficult but he is my favorite player

[@clipsidevids]

Second greatest player in spurs history. Behind duncan

[@solascriptura-e7t]

2a Iceman 2b Admiral

[@gold6813]

Kawhi

[@Sega_is_all_i_cd]

The Twin Towers!!!!

[@pokerani99]

K' Kawhi wasn’t as great on the spurs as people try to make him out to be

[@ky5059]

Moses Nyirongo he the reason the spurs won a ring in 2014

[@hugegbrawlstars4835]

I remember him for being crushes by the Dream, but also he stepped back and helped Dunkan to win the title. The era of great centers is gone unfortunately. So many greats playing in 90s

[@michaelpetrovich5353]

Robinson and Sean Elliott. Loved watching them play. And yes, Robinson was great and is number 7 of all centers of all time.

[@donaldpriola1807]

Robinson will always be underrated. Yeah, he got kliled by Hakeem, but he wasn't alone in that department (remember the 1995 Finals? Shaq does). Judging him by that one series is unfair. It's also true that he had his struggles in the playoffs, and that's on him. But I think this video sums up his place very well.He was outstanding in so many ways (he could outrun guards, for one), and maybe a little too nice. He deserves his place in the HOF.

[@marceltruden2833]

Can you do the same video on clyde drexler, tnx :)

[@PeachythePicker]

Probably the second best centre of the 90s. It’s crazy to think that Shaq made up rumours about him as he was just so good. He started in the nba at 24 which is crazy by today’s standards where rookies are considered old if they are 20. Unlike many nba players like Carmelo Anthony, Robinson handed the torch to Duncan which helped lead the spurs the titles. I think other teams had better support casts before Duncan arrived as well.

[@johndoughnut9350]

The Admiral was the prime example of “strength & speed”

[@h1s41rness2]

You forgot that Robinson and Duncan formed the Twin Towers duo, arguably one of the best frontcourt duos of all time. Robinson actually played a key role in the '99 season. edit: My top five centers of all time 1: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2: Hakeem Olajuwon 3: David Robinson 4: Patrick Ewing 5: Shaquille O'Neal

[@thejamaican67]

Why doesn’t anyone ask why Jordan couldn’t win before Pippen got there?

[@joshmcdonald9681]

The Admiral is my favorite player of all time. Yes, his moves were predictable. Yes, he needed a supporting cast around him to win. But his determination, grit, and perseverance in the face of adversity was...admirable.

[@logicaldude3611]

Robinson on the Spurs in his prime was like watching Lebron's first stint in Cleveland. There was one guy on the court who was clearly more athletic and talented than anyone else, and there wasn't a whole lot more on the roster outside of that. He carried the Spurs. When he got hurt, they went from perennial playoff team to #1 pick in the draft just because they were missing ONE guy, David Robinson.

[@TheSub-SaharanAmericanLegend]

Exactly 💯 💯 💯 💯

[@KotomiP]

He was on the better side of the 90s superstars, but his career including the playoffs, was more like making achievements and being a role model (kind of like what a lot of parents expect of their kids) where as Barkley, Drexler, Stockton and Malone, Olajuwon etc all played like men who are on mission to bring food to the table for their hungry families when it comes to the playoffs (although all of them were still stopped by God named Michael Jordan)

[@ninjamage5215]

The Spurs got two all time greats with their #1 picks... impressive drafting

[@hughjames6535]

Robinson’s rings were not that good but he got a quadruple double, mvp, first round draft pick, hall of fame and made the ‘92 dream team he was a legend

[@thetruth4654]

He was amazing, and he is definetly a very underrated Center all time great

[@aztn19]

The star of one of my favorite SEGA Genesis games as a kid lol!! I might to hunt down a working copy of Supreme Court for the collection after this

[@Mymomsaidiwascool]

Quadruple double...the last one to do that.

[@jasonsantos6430]

David Robinson is an all time great big man. Sure, he's no Shaq or Hakeem, but he's no doubt a high tier big man and one of the greatest.

[@paksta]

Robinson was an outstanding player and underrated these days, largely because of what Olajuwon did in the playoffs in 94 and 95. He damaged Ewing and Robinson’s legacies those years, and even Shaq’s to a lesser extent.

[@paksta]

Meandro Vito Luz No, he didn’t. He beat the Knicks in 94 and the Magic in 95. In 1999, Shaq’s Lakers beat the Rockets in their only other series.

[@paksta]

Meandro Vito Luz Yeah, I think he and Pippen we’re both there.

[@paksta]

Meandro Vito Luz Just checked the stats... wow, Barkley was very relevant, including 30pts and 23rebs in their only win. 23.5 & 14 for the series.

[@jairedlink8710]

David Robinson was a monster. He's one of only four players to win MVP and DPOY in a career (MJ, Hakeem, and KG are the others), and only one other player has a scoring, rebounding, and block title (Kareem). At the same time, his legacy would look a bit different if he didn't win that ring in 99 next to Duncan. (You could also argue his legacy would be different if he could've played in the NBA the year he was drafted). He's a top 10 center for sure.

[@truzzprod.8191]

Robinson is def better than Ewing

[@robotube7361]

Far better

[@patrickcommerce9713]

Robinson fan here... Robinson was not FAR better than Ewing... better? Yes. A little bit. Far better? No. It's the equivalent of comparing Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid today (although Robinson and Ewing were both better than either of those guys are).

[@Nino2ww]

David Robinson was actually a fucking god. I would put him at either 2 in a top 10 list. Because most of us watching this video wasn’t alive to see Wilt, Mikan, And Bill Russell play, so we had to rely on stories. So imo the top 10 would go 1. Kareem 2. David Robinson 3. Bill Russell 4. Wilt Chamberlain 5. Shaq 6. Hakeem 7. Moses Malone 8. Patrick Ewing 9. Dikembe Mutombo 10. George Mikan And for shits and giggles 11. A tie in my opinion between Willis Reed, Robert Parish, Artis Gilmore, Wes Unseld, And Alonzo Mourning

[@jbj7599]

6:13 did that jersey say duncan? Easy mistake to make if it is, but kinda hard to tell. Either way, if Olajuwon and Kemp weren't playing, The Admiral wouldve easily been my favorite player.

[@darshloaf]

"Hakeem has always outplayed him before" is a sports myth fed by youtube vids of that one series. It was basically even in their matchups prior to the '95 series where Hakeem took his game to a different level. Not sure about saying Robinson was "not as good at handling double teams" either. He was maybe too much of a finesse player to handle the lack of foul calls/physicality in the playoffs, but it's always harder to pass out of double teams to Avery Johnson, Vinny Del Negro or Sean Elliott than it is to kick it out to Robert Horry, Sam Cassell, or Mario Elie (guys who made big shots).

[@patrickcommerce9713]

Facts. Spurs won regular season series 5-1 in that same 94-95 season. Hakeem played great but also shot the ball 28 times per game to Robinson's 16 per game... 12 shots more per game, he better have been scoring more. Hakeem was shooting the ball a TON that playoffs (26 spg), at a much higher clip than any regular season or post-season in his career. Robinson also leads the all time regular season series 30-12. Anyone that says Hakeem usually outplayed Robinson SIMPLY WAS NOT WATCHING, and is most likely making their judgement of their respective careers on a single playoff series. Alas, that is the one snapshot that people remember... but any level of effort to research it, let alone having watched their careers and especially their primes, anyone knows that they were incredibly similar, with Robinson having a slightly, but decidedly higher peak (although Hakeem did it for longer).

[@FuShengAlex]

Sean Elliot made 2 all star games with Robinson in SA in the 90s and was offensively better than any of those guys you mentioned that entire decade. It's not right to say "Hakeem has always outplayed" as testament to his superiority to Robinson. It's more true to say: "Hakeem elevated his game in the playoffs than Robinson did" as proof of his superiority.

[@darshloaf]

I agree that Olajuwon elevated his game like you stated, but the point I was making about Elliott & co wasn't that they weren't good, just that they weren't nearly as good at making clutch shots as Elie, Cassell, or Horry (& I didn't mention how good of a #2 Drexler was in '95; better #2 than Elliott). Elliott was the best scorer of all the role players mentioned but was far better as the 3rd or 4th option in '99 than he was as a #2 in Robinson's prime.

[@smoovetru]

do how good was Gilbert arenas

[@jonmichael3280]

I remember at one point he got so ripped I thought he had to be on roids.. But the year they signed Rodman they won 60 some games and still blew it! Still mind boggling

[@YouCallThataKnife253]

Funny, I was literally just think about how good David Robinson was, yesterday. Good timing, I guess

[@RayRay-kl3yz]

Top 5 Centers of all time. He was that good just did not have the Team Chemistry of players that required to win that Championship. But just an overall great person to be honest to this day!

[@Gaben420]

He was my favorite player growing up , his problem was he cared too much and it took a toll on him. Great guy but a little too sensitive (not soft) but being a team sport you can't blame yourself for every problem that you run into.

[@FuShengAlex]

That overrated idiot Dennis Rodman was a pure cancer during his Spurs tenure and Robinson had to deal with that too.

[@Cookietherian168]

Andy Coming in clutch with a upload

[@MiteyMax9]

Man the Spurs logo used to be soo dope!!

[@Saghorse1978]

I think he’s right behind Wilt, from a pure athleticism standpoint. As a champion, you’d have to put him after Russell, Shaq, Hakeem but I would still take him over any one of those guys.