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Dressed for success Robinson's defensive effort is key to Spurs' Game 1 winPosted: Thursday June 05, 2003 2:00 AM
SAN ANTONIO -- It was like old times for Spurs center David Robinson. Right down to his choice of clothes. "My wife’s got me into all these young guys’ clothes now, the jeans and shirts," Robinson joked Wednesday night, explaining his decision to ditch his casual attire of recent years for a snazzy tan suit right out of his glory days. "I figure I’d get dressed up for the Finals." Robinson certainly looked like a spry young man on the court in Game 1. The 37-year-old center, who is retiring after the season, had 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, along with six rebounds and four blocks to play a key role in San Antonio’s 101-89 victory. "David was really important for us tonight," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He realizes this is his last series, and I thought his effort defensively, board-wise, getting up and down the court was really superior, more than it has been in awhile." Tim Duncan’s MVP performance and Tony Parker’s flambé of Jason Kidd might have been bigger stories for the Spurs in Game 1. But for NBA fans everywhere, Robinson’s play had to be the best story of this year’s Finals opener. Once one of the game’s most dominating players and still one of its most respected, Robinson has seen his role reduced in recent years to that of a supporting player. Entering the Finals, The Admiral was averaging just 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 22.2 minutes during the postseason. On many nights, he looked as stiff-legged as a crane. But in his team’s biggest game of the season, Robinson turned back the clock. He dunked. He rebounded. He blocked shots. He even spun inside for an 8-foot turnaround jumper, while going to his right, a shot perhaps not seen since his MVP days. "Dave was incredible tonight. He was all over the place," Duncan said. "He really had some pop in his legs, and when we plays like that we’re really dangerous." Refreshed from a five-day layoff, Robinson looked energized from the start. He slipped inside for two dunks in the first quarter, helping the jittery Spurs withstand a shaky start. Midway through the second quarter, he helped them tie the game at 35-35 with a huge play at both ends. It started when Nets forward Kenyon Martin faced up Duncan, then took him off the dribble, toward the basket. The Admiral flew over from the weak side to block the shot, then raced downcourt. He took a feed and tried to throw down a dunk on Dikembe Mutombo that back-rimmed out, then got the ball back and dropped it in for a layup and a foul. As Nets coach Byron Scott signaled for a timeout, Robinson left the floor to the wild cheers of the SBC Center crowd and high-fives from the Spurs bench. "I have this ongoing joke with the guys: I never have a bad day off," Robinson said. "A couple days, got fresh, felt great ... I think it was probably the rest more than anything." Robinson might not be able to coax 14 points out of his old body again this series, but if he can duplicate his defensive effort, the Nets will be in trouble. In addition to his four blocks, Robinson altered several others by floating over from the weak side. The ability of the 7-foot Robinson to take away New Jersey’s backdoor cuts and weakside action helped limit the Nets to 37.1 percent shooting. "David did an excellent job getting across there when we got some drives without drawing the foul," Duncan said. "That’s going to be big for us all series. If we can get that guy across there and shoot tough shots and rebound the weak side." "David’s been our anchor for about a million years," Spurs forward Malik Rose added. "When he’s at that rim, playing like he did tonight, blocking shots and helping and recovering, we’re really tough to beat." For Robinson, the chance to contribute in a big way to one more NBA title would be the dream finish to his spectacular career. "To win this championship would be phenomenal," he said. "It’s what I’ve been playing for. It’s the only thing I want." Besides, another NBA championship ring would go well with his snazzy tan suit.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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