Open Thread: Spurs By The Numbers- A series of short-term players wear #12

Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images

Draftee Kevin Williams shown the door due to a logjam of guards.

When I joined Pounding The Rock, I pitched a project that would cover every player who ever wore a Spurs jersey. Not equally, by any means, but each jersey would be identified numerically by the players who wore it.

There is a significance to the numbers of jerseys as it pertains to the five NBA Championships that have been won by the San Antonio Spurs.

There is only one jersey number associated with all five San Antonio Spurs NBA Championships- #21. Tim Duncan. He is coincidentally also the only player to be involved in all five titles.

There are five numbers associated with four Spurs titles. #9 (Tony Parker) and #20 Manu Ginobili, as well as #2, #4, and #11.

The next set of jersey numbers are those associated with three of the Spurs NBA titles.

Those numbers are 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, and 33. Today we continue our look at #12.

#12

Kevin Williams

Seattle SuperSonics: Kevin WilliamsPhoto by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images

Kevin Williams was selected 46th overall in the second round of the 1983 NBA Draft. Williams, who had only started in one game during his college career at St. John’s, was the 22nd guard to go in the draft.

Though he was drafted high for a bench player, he knew the road would be hard. When given the notice of his draft location, his father noticed he did not look excited.

“I’m too tired to be happy. I’m not going to get crazy or jump for joy. I’ve got a lot of work to do.’’

Unfortunately for Williams, the Spurs were guard heavy and he was waived after playing in only 19 games.

“There was a definite imbalance on our team with six guards and that was the main reason for the roster move.” -General Manager Bob Bass.

He caught on in Cleveland for the remainder of the season before playing overseas. He returned to the NBA for three more season split between the Seattle SuperSonics, the New Jersey Nets, and Los Angeles Clippers.

Williams continued to play ball until 1995 in a minor league and overseas capacity.

Next up: Darwin Cook


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Open Thread: Spurs By The Numbers- A series of short-term players wear #12
Open Thread: Spurs By The Numbers- A series of short-term players wear #12

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