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Sunday, June 15
Updated:
June 15, 9:54 PM ET
Robinson posts double-double in Spurs' Game 6 win
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO -- Here's to you, Mr. Robinson, the ultimate
retirement gift: an NBA championship.
David Robinson didn't just end his long, special career with his
second title Sunday night. He also was a big reason for it, scoring
13 points and grabbing 17 rebounds to help carry the San Antonio
Spurs past the New Jersey Nets 88-77 on Sunday night in Game 6 of
the NBA Finals.
"My last game, streamers flying, world champions. How can you
write a better script than this?'' Robinson said. "It's
unbelievable. I'm going to end my career on the highest of highs.''
Robinson had 11 points in the first three quarters when the
Spurs were struggling, then grabbed seven rebounds during a
stunning fourth quarter rally. His 17 rebounds were his
second-highest total of the season.
"David looked like he was 25 years old out there. I've never
seen somebody bring the energy he brought in such a big game,''
said teammate Steve Kerr, who won three titles alongside Michael
Jordan. "He found a time machine tonight.''
Robinson headed to the sideline for the final time in his
14-year career with 35.6 seconds left, drawing wild cheers. After
hugging practically everyone on the bench, he was among the first
to congratulate series MVP Tim Duncan as he left the game.
When the buzzer sounded, Robinson shared a long embrace with
coach Gregg Popovich as confetti fell and fireworks sparkled. A fan
in the upper deck released a banner that read, "Dear David: # 50
Bon Voyage'' as the Admiral crossed the court and picked up one of
his sons, with his own parents not far away.
"One of the greats we get a chance to say goodbye to, tonight,
David Robinson,'' commissioner David Stern said at the start of the
postgame ceremony. "Thank you.''
Robinson held aloft the championship trophy next while Duncan
held up his MVP prize. That portrait of the big men will be an
enduring image in a city that adores both players and the team,
their only major pro sports franchise.
"Dave's been an incredible part of this team for a lot of
years,'' Duncan said. "The last couple of seconds, I thought, 'I'm
not going to play with this guy again. I'm going to have to play on
this court without him.' It's going to be weird. I don't know to
expect.''
The Spurs hadn't led all game when Robinson checked back in with
7:08 left. He grabbed the first available rebound, and it led to
Stephen Jackson's 3-pointer that put San Antonio ahead for good.
He continued grabbing loose balls, making key plays on both ends
of the court. Adrenaline alone erased whatever aches and pains he
might have felt in the balky back and knee that are sending him
into retirement two months shy of his 38th birthday.
"He really dug down deep and showed how important it was to him
to help us get this victory,'' Popovich said. "David isn't able to
do that every night. For him to finish it off that way was really
special.''
His fabulous finish included his final basket, a vintage
left-handed layup after faking out Dikembe Mutombo, and his final
assist, which set up a jumper by Speedy Claxton that made it 82-72,
capping a 19-0 run.
Along the way, he also hurried Jason Kidd into missing a shot --
and missed two foul shots. It didn't matter. Fans still found any
excuse to chant his name and scream "5-0'' one last time.
"As the game was going on, I was thinking, 'We cannot lose this
game.' I had kind of geared my mind up that this was my last home
game,'' Robinson said. "That fourth quarter was unbelievable,
fantastic.''
Even if Robinson hadn't had a big performance, this was still
his night.
Fans throughout the SBC Center brought their personal tributes.
Among the best signs were "Tonight The Admiral Sails Into The
Sunset'' and "Thank You Admiral, We'll Miss You.''
Robinson won his way into their hearts as soon as he arrived in
1989. The Spurs made him the top pick two years earlier even though
he had to spend two years in the Navy. When he got out, he could've
gone back into the draft instead of joining a moribund team. He
wouldn't hear of it.
Robinson was named rookie of the year and led the Spurs all the
way to the conference semifinals, a tremendous accomplishment for a
team that had not won a playoff series in seven years.
It was the start of many big things to come. Among his
achievements and honors: league MVP in 1995, defensive player of
the year in 1992, 10-time All-Star, three-time Olympian and a spot
among the NBA's 50 greatest players.
In various seasons he led the league in scoring, rebounding and
blocks. He once had a quadruple-double and another time scored 71
points -- two things fellow retiree Jordan never did.
Another un-Jordanlike move: He promised his first retirement
will be his last.
"For me, I know. I feel great about it,'' he said. "There's no
bitter to it. It's all sweet. It's great.''
Robinson's legacy is secure off the court, too. He's given more
than $9 million to start the Carver Academy, a school in San
Antonio, and the NBA showed its appreciation for all his good deeds
by putting his name on its community assist plaque.
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