On his final tour of duty, the Admiral brought the good ship San Antonio to the National Basketball Association (NBA) title. The sentimental journey closed on a high note.
Robinson, 37, could only thank the Lord for His blessings because in his mind, Divine Intervention had a lot to do with the way he played in the championship clincher at the SBC Center here Sunday night (yesterday morning, Manila).
This past regular season, Robinson averaged a career-low 8.5 points in 64 games. He was bothered by a bad back during the campaign and paced himself to preserve his energies for the last push. In the Finals, the 7-1 center hit at a 10.8 clip.
As if following a script, Robinson reserved his best for the last. In Game 6, he compiled 13 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocked shots in 31 minutes. Playing beautiful music with Tim Duncan, the Admiral anchored the Spurs’ unforgiving interior defense that led to 13 blocked shots.
In a sense, it was sad to witness the once dominant Robinson play a lesser role in the Spurs rotation. He was Rookie of the Year in 1990, the Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, and the Most Valuable Player in 1995. Robinson led the NBA in scoring in 1994, averaging 29.8 points, and once shot 71 in a game.
But realizing the wear and tear he has endured in 15 years a pro, you’ve got to admire Robinson for playing his guts out to win his second NBA title. It took a lot of courage and humility for Robinson to show that he could still contribute his share despite the challenge of the league’s new generation of stars.
Robinson is walking away from the NBA spotlight with his pride intact and his head unbowed.
Curiously, basketball was never the ultimate priority for Robinson. He played only a year of high school basketball before enrolling at the Naval Academy. Robinson was a math major and after graduation, served two years in the military before suiting up for the Spurs. San Antonio picked him on the first round in the 1987 draft and waited two years for Robinson to finish his naval hitch.
It was during his Naval Academy years that Robinson shot up from 6-6 to 7-1. He was the star Midshipman and became the first NCAA player ever to collect at least 2,500 points and 1,300 rebounds with a field goal clip of over 60 percent.
In 1991, Robinson found the Lord and dedicated the rest of his life to God. It was clearly his parents’ influence that set Robinson on the right track. His father Ambrose and mother Freda brought up Robinson to live an upright life. His parents, incidentally, authored a book entitled "How To Raise an MVP–Most Valuable Person and Player."
Robinson’s brother Chuck, who is his spitting image only about a foot shorter, is an ordained minister. His sister Kimberly has a doctorate in adult education. So the Robinsons are well-educated.
There are not many NBA stars like Robinson who is a gentleman on and off the court. He is happily married to his wife Valerie Hoggatt and they have three boys David Maurice, Corey Matthew and Justin Michael.
Robinson said he won’t make a comeback like Michael Jordan. He has enough on his plate outside of basketball to keep him busy. A pet project is the Carver Academy, a Judeo-Christian school for about 290 children from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. He has donated $9 million to the San Antonio insitution.
"I don’t understand Michael," once remarked Robinson. "Why did he come back? He has a beautiful wife and three kids. What’s he trying to prove that he hasn’t proved already? Is it that he’s the best we’ve ever seen? We know that. It seems to me he’s just chasing his own tail. Why isn’t he enjoying his time with his family?"
Robinson’s comments indicate he’s hanging up his sneakers for good.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich congratulated Robinson for his effort in Game 6.
"I’m just thrilled that David ends his career with a game like that," said Popovich. "His effort was really wonderful. He really dug down deep and showed how important it was to him to help us get this victory."
Duncan, for his part, said: "Dave’s been an incredible part of this team for a lot of years. For a second on the court, last couple of seconds, I thought I’m not gonna play with this guy again. I’m gonna have to come out on this court without him. I don’t know what to expect. We’ll fill the void and we’ll find a way to hopefully get back there."
Robinson said the Lord has paved the way for a fitting end to his career.
"I found the Lord and since then, everything has been like a magic walk," he noted.
An inspirational leader, Robinson bows out of the NBA with a championship and a legacy of heroism.