1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season
Duncan and Robinson formed the Twin Towers.
The 1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season was the 22nd for the franchise in the NBA and their 31st overall. It is notable for the arrival of rookie Tim Duncan, selected first overall in the 1997 NBA draft, who teamed with David Robinson to form a dominant frontcourt. The team improved by 36 wins over the previous season, finishing 56–26 and returning to the playoffs.
Quick Facts
- Record
- 56–26
- Conference seed
- 5th in Western Conference
- Points per game (duncan)
- 21.1
- Rebounds per game (duncan)
- 11.9
- Blocks per game (duncan)
- 2.7
Facts from the source article.
Regular season
The Spurs entered the season after a 20–62 campaign in which David Robinson missed most games due to injury. Duncan and Robinson, known as the "Twin Towers," excelled at interior defense, forcing opponents to take lower-percentage outside shots. In his second road game, Duncan grabbed 22 rebounds against Chicago's Dennis Rodman, a multiple rebounding champion and former Defensive Player of the Year. Houston's Charles Barkley remarked after facing Duncan, "I have seen the future and he wears number 21.
Duncan started all 82 regular-season games, averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. His defensive play earned him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Coach Gregg Popovich praised Duncan's mental toughness, noting his rookie's "demeanor was singularly remarkable" and that he always "put things into perspective. Robinson said of Duncan, "He's the real thing. I'm proud of his attitude and effort."
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