Some of the Admiral’s Best with the Brand
The Admiral. A star player for the San Antonio Spurs from the moment he stepped on the floor in 1989 until a career-ending Game Six Finals win over the New Jersey Nets in 2003, David Robinson is one of the greatest big men in basketball history. Ten-time All-Star, ten-time All-League. Two-time champion, 1995 MVP. An exceptional athlete with top-tier basketball IQ, Robinson was a leader on both ends of the floor. He won a scoring championship and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
While Tim Duncan took San Antonio to its greatest heights, it was Robinson who laid the foundation. By the time the Twin Towers took over the league in 1998, Robinson had been an elite superstar for a decade, and his mentorship helped Duncan dominate for years to come. The duo led San Antonio on one of the most dominant playoff runs of all time, going 15-2 (including a sweep of Shaq and Kobe) on the way to the 1999 title.
The Admiral had a touch of humility about him too. When asked what it was like to have a great like Duncan join his team, Robinson said, “I can say that Tim is probably the best thing that ever happened to me.” Let’s take a look at some of the Admiral’s best Topps cards.
The Best David Robinson Cards
1992-93 Topps Stadium Club Basketball Beam Team #20 David Robinson
Player info
• drafted 1st overall in 1987 draft
• did not debut until 1989-90 season
• 1990 rookie of the year
set info
• iconic 21-card insert
• Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal are featured alongside Robinson here
card info
• one of Robinson’s earliest with Topps, featuring a great action shot with New York’s John Starks
1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball Refractor #80 David Robinson
Player info
• 10x all-star
• 4x all-league first team
Set info
• 220-card base set
• iconic debut of Topps chrome basketball features rcs of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash
card info
• Robinson’s chrome debut is noteworthy for the image of the big man contesting Michael Jordan at the rim
1993-94 Topps Finest Basketball Refractors #21 David Robinson
Player info
• 1992 defensive player of the year
• 1994 scoring champion
set info
• 220-card base set
• includes Chris Webber and anfernee hardaway rcs
card info
• Robinson’s first-ever refractor is difficult to find in top condition
• card back highlights 1991-92 season in which Robinson finished top five in rebounds, blocks, and steals
2008-09 Topps Basketball Black #179 David Robinson /51
Player info
• 1995 MVP
• 2x Champion (1999, 2003)
set info
• 220-card base set
card info
• Robinson captured mid-air for a dunk in hard-to-find Topps black card numbered/51
