Admiral recalls Dream Team days

1 of 48 | Share

David Robinson


Center David Robinson of the United States goes up for two during a game against Germany at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, 29 July 1992. Mike Powell / Allsport (Mike Powell / Getty Images)


Team USA looks on after winning the gold at the Barcelona Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, 8 Aug 1992. (Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)


David Robinson #5 of the United States goes up for a rebound against Stojan Vrankovic #11 and Dino Radja #14 of Croatia during the 1992 Olympic game against Croatia on July 27, 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. The “Dream Team” defeated Croatia 103-70. (Mike Powell / Getty Images)


David Robinson with Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy celebrates in the locker room game 6 of the NBA Finals held Sunday June 15, 2003 at the SBC Center in San Antonio,Tx. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan hold the MVP trophy and David Robinson hold the Larry O’Brien trophy after winning game six of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Sunday, June 15, 2003. (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan and David Robinson hold up the hardware as they celebrate Sunday, June 15, 2003 at the SBC Center. The Spurs beat the Nets 88-77 in game 6 to win the NBA Championship. (BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan and David Robinson ride a barge with the 2003 NBA Champhionship trophy during the Spurs Championship river parade on Wednesday, June 18, 2003. (JERRY LARA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson holds the NBA trophy up at the Alamodome Thursday, June 18, 2003. (Bob Owen / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Spurs’ David Robinson (left) and Finals MVP Tim Duncan rise their trophies at the end of Game Five of the NBA Finals Friday June 25, 1999 in Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Kin Man HUi / Express-News)


Spurs forward Avery Johnson lifts the Championship trophy above his head as David Robinson get a hug from the Coyote after the Spurs, the NBA Champions, arrived in San Antonio June 26, 99, at San Antonio International Airport. (Kevin Geil / Express-News)


David Robinson and Avery Johnson show the Larry Johnson trophy at the Arneson theater on the Riverwalk Sunday June 27, 1999. (JERRY LARA / Express-News)


Referee Dick Bavetta seperates marcus Camby and David Robinson in the third quarter of game three of the NBA finals Monday June 21, 1999 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (DELCIA LOPEZ / Express-News)


David Robinson celebrates near the end of game two of the NBA Finals Friday June 18, 1999 at the Alamodome. A dejected Marcus Camby, right, and Kurt Thomas look on. (JERRY LARA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson and Tim Duncan during first half during game one of the NBA Finals Wednesday June 16, 1999 at the Alamodome. (JERRY LARA / Express-News)


David Robinson shoots his jump hook during Game Five of the NBA Finals Friday June 25, 1999 in Madison Square Garden in New York City. (JERRY LARA / Express-News)


David Robinson breathes a sigh of relief after Game Five of the NBA Finals Friday June 25, 1999 in Madison Square Garden in New York City. (DELCIA LOPEZ / Express-News)


David Maurice Robinson helps his father get dressed after Game Five of the NBA Finals Friday June 25, 1999 in Madison Square Garden in New York City. (JERRY LARA / Express-News)


David Robinson (top) and Tim Duncan celebrate with the rest of team immediately after winning Game Five of the NBA Finals Friday June 25, 1999 in Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Kin Man Hui / Express-News)


TIM DUCAN HUGS DAVID ROBINSON during Game Five of the NBA Finals Friday June 25, 1999 in Madison Square Garden in New York City.(EXPRESS NEWS PHOTO/DELCIA LOPEZ) (EN)


Nets’ Kenyon Martin pulls on Spurs’ David Robinsons jersey during first half game 6 of the NBA Finals held Sunday June 15, 2003 at the SBC Center in San Antonio,Tx. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson and Manu Ginobili react during fourth quarter action in game six of the NBA Finals at SBC Center in San Antonio on Sunday, June 15, 2003. (JERRY LARA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson and Tony Parker celebrate the Spurs championship game six NBA Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio Sunday June 15, 2003. (WILLIAM LUTHER / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Kevin Willis gives David Robinson a hug during celebrations after winning game six of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Sunday, June 15, 2003. (Kin Man Hui/Staff) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson reacts in the closing moments of game six of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Sunday, June 15, 2003. (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


San Antonio Spurs David Robinson and Tim Duncan celebrate as they take a commanding lead during the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at SBC Center in San Antonio on Sunday, June 15, 2003. The beat the New Jersey Nets for the NBA Championship title. (JERRY LARA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson shoots over New Jersey’s Dikembe Mutombo during fourth quarter action of game six of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Sunday, June 15, 2003. (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson pulls down a rebound over New Jersey’s Aaron Williams during fourth quarter action of game six of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Sunday, June 15, 2003. (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Rutgers women’s coach C. Vivian Stringer, and former NBA basketball players John Stockton, David Robinson and Michael Jordan, holding jerseys, in Detroit, at the announcement that they were elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, not shown, is also part of the 2009 class. April 6, 2009. (Daniel Mears / Associated Press)


Retired Spur and 2009 Hall of Fame inductee David Robinson (second from left) shakes hands with fellow inductee Michael Jordan as the rest of this year’s class including Jerry Sloan, John Stockton and C. Vivian Stringer applaud at the reunion dinner held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009. The group will be officially honored on Friday. (KIN MAN HUI / San Antonio Express-News)


David Robinson (right) tugs on his jacket after Hall of Fame president John Doleva (left) presented Robinson with the coat during the jacket presentation and press conference at Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


David Robinson gets animated as he quotes a biblical verse during his enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at the Springfield Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


David Robinson breaks out in laughter as former teammate Tim Duncan (right) and coach Gregg Popovich meet with Robinson before his enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at the Springfield Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


David Robinson speaks during a tribute ceremony for his Hall of Fame induction after the Spurs vs. 76ers at the ATT Center, Sunday, November 29, 2009. (Jennifer Whitney / San Antonio Express-News)


David Robinson’s hall of fame jersey during a recognition ceremony after the Spurs vs. 76ers at the ATT Center, Sunday, November 29, 2009. (Jennifer Whitney / San Antonio Express-News)


David Robinson shakes the hand of Tim Duncan after a hall of fame recognition ceremony in his honor after the Spurs vs. 76ers at the ATT Center, Sunday, November 29, 2009. (Jennifer Whitney / San Antonio Express-News)


David Robinson speaks during a hall of fame recognition ceremony after the Spurs vs. 76ers at the ATT Center, Sunday, November 29, 2009. (Jennifer Whitney / San Antonio Express-News)


Carver Academy founder and former San Antonio Spur David Robinson addresses an audience at the 10th anniversary of the educational institution on the city’s Eastside on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010. The event marked the school’s humble beginnings to a school that now takes pride in turning out high-achieving students. (KIN MAN HUI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Carver Academy founder and former San Antonio Spur David Robinson and Carver Academy students Friday Sept. 24, 2010 at the Carver Academy. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Carver Academy founder and former San Antonio Spur David Robinson and Carver Academy students Friday Sept. 24, 2010 at the Carver Academy. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Carver Academy founder and former San Antonio Spur David Robinson and Carver Academy students Friday Sept. 24, 2010 at the Carver Academy. (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson poses with cast and characters from the Hill Country Holidays with The Westin La Cantera Resort, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010. The Holiday event will through January 8th daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and features “Frost,” a 1,200-square-foot ice skating rink, Christmas book readings and Santa Claus. The rink cost $10 for 45 minutes and proceeds will benefit The Carver Academy. A U.S. Marines Toys for Tots box is also located in the lobby of the resort to collect presents for disadvantage children. (JERRY LARA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson speaks Wednesday Feb. 29, 2012 at the Carver Cultural Center to announce a partnership between the Carver Academy and IDEA Public Schools to bring IDEA schools to San Antonio. The company has been operating in the Rio Grande Valley for 11 years and now operates 20 schools there. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)


Sean Elliott, Master of Ceremonies, talks with David Robinson prior to the start of Gala honoring Robinson Sunday Nov 9, 2003 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Former San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson, who is the main benefactor of the Carver Academy, right, receives the Texan of the Year award from Gov. Rick Perry in New Braunfels on Friday, March 26, 2004. (BILLY CALZADA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Spurs’ David Robinson follows through on a slam dunk against Dallas Mavericks’ Steve Nash in the first quarter at game 5 of the Western Conference Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 27, 2003. (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson comes back in a big way by slamming in a dunk in the first quarter Saturday night at the SBC Center. (Tom Reel / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Spurs’ David Robinson (50) attempts to recover his own missed dunk in the second half at the Alamodome Friday, May 10, 2002. (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


David Robinson slams home a dunk over the Timberwolves Dean Garrett in the second quarter. (DELCIA LOPEZ / EXPRESS-NEWS)

  • 7801002P BARCELONA OLYMPICS
  • 4501215P BARCELONA OLYMPICS
  • 1641713MP_ACR018333004
  • SPURS NETS G6 EO 15
  • NETS SPURS G6 KMH 23
  • SPURS WIN 0605
  • SPURS PARADE  1 JL
  • Spurs Rally 6
  • SPURS ROBINSON DUNCAN TROPHIES KMH
  • kg spurs arrive
  • SPURS DAVE AJ JL
  • SPURS SCUFFLE GOOD DL
  • SPURS KNICK DEJECT JL
  • SPURS TIM DAVE JL
  • SPURS DAVE HOOK JL
  • SPURS DAVE SIGH
  • SPURS DAVE SON JL
  • SPURS TIM DAVE JUBI KMH
  • SPURS TIM HUGS DAVE
  • SPURS NETS G6 EO13
  • SPURS NETS G6 JL 11
  • NETS SPURS G6 WL 13
  • NETS SPURS G6 KMH 19
  • NETS SPURS G6 KMH 20
  • SPURS NETS G6 JL 20
  • NETS SPURS G6 KMH 24
  • NETS SPURS G6 KMH 26
  • Hall of Fame Robinson Stringer Basketball
  • ROBINSON HALL OF FAME KMH 1
  • ROBINSON HOF PRESSER KMH 3
  • ROBINSON HOF CEREMONY KMH 3
  • ROBINSON HOF CEREMONY KMH 5
  • 15244330-robinson-hof-11_29_2009
  • 15244331-robinson-hof-11_29_2009
  • 15244336-robinson-hof-11_29_2009
  • 15244344-robinson-hof-11_29_2009
  • CARVER 10TH KMH 2
  • TRENDS DAVID ROBINSON EAO
  • TRENDS DAVID ROBINSON EAO 4
  • TRENDS DAVID ROBINSON EAO 7
  • westin holiday 04 JL
  • 0229 CARVER IDEA SCHOOL 01
  • DAVID ROBINSON EAO
  • ROBINSON TEXAN OF YEAR 1 BC
  • SPURS MAVS G5 KMH 3
  • SPURS PACERS  1  22
  • LAKERS SPURS C KMH 13
  • SPURS ROBINSON DL 3

By Dan McCarney

NBA TV will debut a documentary on the 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team — appropriately titled “The Dream Team” — at 8 tonight. All 12 members participated, including Spurs legend David Robinson, who recounted the experience:

Have you seen the documentary yet?

I have not. It looks like it will be a lot of fun. It’s been 20 years, so I don’t remember half of it. It’s just amazing to think I was a part of it. My kids now, they get a whole new level of respect for Dad knowing he was part of something like that.

Where does that experience rank among your many career highlights?

It’s got to be right at the top, to be able to say you were part of … certainly the best team ever. Who knows? They might put another team together like that. But for us, it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It ranks right up at the top, that and winning those championships (in 1999 and 2003).

Was there any doubt that you were going to win the gold?

There’s always a little doubt when you’re a competitor. You have to have what (Gregg) Popovich calls the appropriate fear. Especially after we lost one of those exhibition games to the college kids. To lose to anybody would have been embarrassing with the group we had.

You were on the bronze-medal team in 1988 that set the stage for The Dream Team.

No question there was a bad feeling about it, like we had disappointed people. I felt like we had let the United States down. We lost for the first time since ’72, and in ’72 they kind of got it stolen from them. So for the first time without controversy, we lost.

How grateful were you to be able to redeem that?

That meant a lot, from a personal standpoint and national pride, to reestablish ourselves that we have more in the tank. In ’88, that was my one Olympic moment, and it didn’t turn out the way I wanted. It was a real blessing (to go back) … and make that other loss a footnote.

You’d been in All-Star games, but what was it like to play alongside these players competitively?

That was priceless. Seeing how they prepared day in and day out, watching the mentality, it taught me a great deal. I was able to grow as much as any other time in my career. That whole experience, it helped me come back to the Spurs and make them a better team.

Was it hard to put personal grudges aside?

It was easier than I expected. When you compete against guys day in and day out, you don’t like them. I really didn’t like the Utah guys, L.A. and Chicago. But seeing the competitiveness and professionalism, it gave us a love and respect for each other that startled all of us, I think.

Stories about your scrimmages are legendary.

Every day it was as competitive an environment as you could get, with the highest level of talent. We knew we couldn’t get that anywhere else. Some of the practices would come to the last minute, the last bucket, and I just remember it being almost like a playoff game.

Some unlikely friendships developed, like Patrick Ewing and Larry Bird. Who did you bond with?

I think probably John Stockton, and actually Karl Malone. I really did not like them. You saw our competitions over the years. They’re grabbing and holding and doing all kinds of stuff. So I did not think I would become such great friends with both those guys.

dmccarney@express-news.net

Leave a Reply