In the NBA, alpha leadership generally manifests in two primary forms. On one hand are those players who inspire through performance, consistently playing at a high level so that their teammates can also match their intensity and production. On the other hand, there are those who use their experience and humility to bring a sense of calmness into the team’s locker room.
As Steve Kerr observed, David Robinson was a ‘rare breed’ who embodied both qualities with distinction, thriving, earning respect on and off the court, but never allowing that success to get to his head and disrespect anyone.
Steve Kerr levied high praise on David Robinson
When Kerr joined the San Antonio Spurs in 1998, he had already won three consecutive titles with the Chicago Bulls, so he knew what was required for a team’s leader to command both respect and discipline in a team setting. Even then, Kerr was awestruck by Robinson’s approach.
Rather than being threatened by Tim Duncan’s emergence as the new franchise cornerstone, Robinson helped him ease into the team. He actively supported Timmy’s rise and made sure that the latter registered an All-NBA First team nod in his rookie campaign, while also registering All-NBA-caliber seasons himself. Additionally, Robinson filled the gaps of the team so brilliantly on both ends of the court that veterans like Mario Ellie and Avery Johnson also played meaningful roles in helping the team win a championship in 1999.
Unsurprisingly, for Kerr, playing with ‘The Admiral’ was like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, where he saw every day how Robinson stepped onto the court with a team-first mentality and made sure the camaraderie between the players was intact.
“It was really fun playing with David. We actually played together in college, little bit on a couple of summer teams. Then, to be teammates in San Antonio years later was a real thrill. He was obviously one of the greatest players in the league at that time, and to be his teammate, feel his influence on the franchise, his class, his character, the way he carried himself (was something else),” Kerr said. “He was just a rare breed. There weren’t many guys like David, an incredible athlete and outstanding human being.”
David Robinson was a secure leader
Throughout NBA history, the transition of power between an established superstar and an incoming prodigy has often produced friction. Icons are rarely eager to relinquish the position of being the No. 1 option, particularly when confronted with the fanfare surrounding a younger talent. Robinson, however, approached the situation with grace.
Following Duncan’s arrival in 1997, he adjusted seamlessly, embracing a secondary role while continuing to give his utmost until his final campaign. Put simply, he made sure that the Spurs transformed into a winning organization; rather than him chasing personal glory to solidify his legacy.
More importantly, given that Kerr had already won multiple championships with MJ, but saw ‘His Airness’ not hand him the respect he deserved during their early days together, Kerr was well aware that even the greatest talents often lacked humility. David Maurice Robinson was the rare exception.