David Robinson Discusses Tim Duncan And Silencing The Critics On `The Tonight Show'

Jet, July 26, 1999

David Robinson of the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs talked about the superb play of his teammate Tim Duncan and finally silencing the critics when he appeared with "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno.

Robinson, a 10-year veteran, told Leno on the show that winning the title was a team effort and Duncan's play, which earned him Finals MVP honors, was key.

"He's fantastic," Robinson said about Duncan. "You know for so many years I felt like I'm down there trying to do a lot of stuff and you've got to have another superstar guy to really help you out there."

He added: `There's a lot of factors that go into it. And my first few years, I'm out there running around with my head cut off trying to figure out how to win and, who knew it was just add Tim Duncan to the mix?"

With Duncan at 7 feet and Robinson just above it, the tandem is known in the sports world as the twin towers. Their presence under the basket helped the Spurs defeat the New York Knicks four games to one to clinch the franchise's first NBA title.

While Robinson has received much praise and criticism throughout his career, he said the negative talk doesn't bother him.

"I don't worry about the critics ... What's nice is that they really kind of pump you up. They make you work harder because, you know, what can you say to them? I mean, they've got the pen. So the only thing you can do is prove them wrong. Until you win, you can't say anything."