Open Thread: The Spurs have no All-Stars this year

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

One strange fact makes this a positive.

Ever since the San Antonio Spurs have been in the NBA, they have had team members involved with the All-Star Game. In fact, in the history of the Spurs franchise, there have only been two season in which the Silver & Black were not represented in the festivity- the season before David Robinson’s rookie year, and the year before Tim Duncan’s rookie season.

This year will be third in franchise history that the Spurs will not have a player suit up for the All-Star Game. In fact, this will be the first time in Popovich’s career that he’s coached the full season and been unsuccessful in getting someone from his squad to the All-Star Game.

The Admiral was injured and sat out for all but six games during that ill-fated 1996-97 season in which Gregg Popovich took the head coaching job away from Bob Hill.

Since his first full season in 1997, Tim Duncan made fifteen appearances, Tony Parker six, LaMarcus Aldridge three, Manu Ginobili two, and Kawhi Leonard two.

David Robinson made a total ten appearances, three alongside Duncan and two beside Sean Elliott.

You can argue that Robinson has more appearances than George Gervin because The Iceman only made 9 NBA All-Star Games. But if you add the three ABA All-Star appearances, Gervin had twelve straight and bests The Admiral by two.

Perhaps it’s a good thing that the Spurs won’t be involved in the All-Star Game. Our players could use the rest considering the Rodeo Road Trip and the schedule to come. It also stands to reason that DeMar DeRozan might just play better with a chip on his shoulder.

And who knows, the previous times the Spurs haven’t made the All-Star Game, they kick off the subsequent season with a life-long Spurs big man who’s left an indelible imprint.

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Open Thread: The Spurs have no All-Stars this year
Open Thread: The Spurs have no All-Stars this year