3 Spurs Greats Who Would Be Even Better Today

Since the end of the last century, the San Antonio Spurs have been a model for success in the NBA. More recently, as the league has leaned more into a pace-and-space style of play, the Spurs have actually started to fall behind the times. They barely qualified to be one of the 22 teams invited the 2019-20 season's restart in Orlando, after all.

San Antonio has been home to many of the NBA's greats in their time in the league, but if these past stars got to suit up today, they would be even better now than they were in their heyday.

3. Sean Elliott

Sean Elliot on the San Antonio Spurs / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Former San Antonio Spurs swingman Sean Elliott did not have the gaudiest career stats. Across his 12-season career, the two-time All-Star averaged 14.2 points per game. If unleashed today, however, he could've done a lot more damage. Elliott was a sharpshooter, averaging 37.5% from three across his career on only 2.1 attempts per game. In 2020, Danny Green averaged a similar 37.7% from three and fired 4.9 attempts per game; if Elliott tossed up the same volume, he'd be a truly dangerous scorer.

2. Tony Parker

Tony Parker and Tim Duncan after winning the 2007 NBA championship / JEFF HAYNES/Getty Images

Tony Parker only retired after last season, but that player was a far cry from the Frenchman who won 2007 NBA Finals MVP. Prime Parker would tear the NBA apart in 2020 at the top of his prime. He could do it all as a point guard: push the break, set up teammates, or drive to the hoop for a layup. His career averages of 15.5 points and 5.6 assists per game would balloon in today's fast-paced, spaced-out game.

1. George Gervin

George Gervin on the San Antonio Spurs in a game against the Washington Bullets / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

George Gervin, the first true Spurs superstar, would have been something even more amazing under Gregg Popovich. In the 1979-80 season, the acrobatic Iceman put up 33.1 points per game, the highest number the league would see until Michael Jordan averaged 37.1 in 1986-87. Quick, versatile, and equipped with a solid jumper, Gervin could score from anywhere. In today's wide-open game -- not just with a three-point line but with no hand-checking from defenders -- there's no telling how much this Hall of Famer could have scored.