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4 Spurs You Would've Never Guessed Led the Team in Scoring

By Tyler Kemp

Tim Duncan (L) sitting with Manu Ginobili (M) and Tony Parker (R) on the Spurs' bench
Tim Duncan (L) sitting with Manu Ginobili (M) and Tony Parker (R) on the Spurs' bench / Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

The Spurs are one of the most decorated franchises in NBA history. With five titles led by head coach Gregg Popovich, there are plenty of Hall of Fame caliber players that have spent time in San Antonio. Names like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and going back to George Gervin have all spent time leading the franchise. Here are a few names you wouldn’t guess once led San Antonio in scoring, though.

4. Mike Mitchell

Mike Mitchell during his time with the Spurs
Mike Mitchell during his time with the Spurs / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

In 1984-85, which was Gervin’s penultimate year in the NBA and last with the Spurs, he averaged 21.2 points per game, but it was not enough for the top spot. Mike Mitchell averaged 22.2 points that season and led San Antonio into the post-Gervin/pre-Robinson era. The Spurs had some down years for the rest of the 80’s, but Mitchell was the leading man for the team until this next player came along.

3. Alvin Robertson

Robertson going up for a dunk while playing for San Antonio
Robertson going up for a dunk while playing for San Antonio / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Alvin Robinson actually missed the first two years of his NBA career due to naval service from 1987-1989. During that time, Robertson stepped up when San Antonio needed a leading scorer. His best season came in 1987-88, where he averaged 19.6 points per game in San Antonio. After another solid season, the Spurs moved Robertson via trade. Robertson is one of the most overlooked names in franchise history to this day.

2. Manu Ginobili

Ginobili going up for a layup against the Thunder
Ginobili going up for a layup against the Thunder / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Manu Ginobili was a part of the big three alongside Duncan and Parker that started the golden age for Spurs basketball. During Ginobili’s 2007-08 Sixth Man of the Year season, he edged out his cohorts for leading San Antonio in scoring. With Ginobili’s 19.5 points per game, that was good enough to beat out Duncan’s 19.3. This would be the only season of his 16-year career Ginobili led the Spurs in points.  

1. Dominique Wilkins

Wilkins driving to the basket against the Knicks
Wilkins driving to the basket against the Knicks / STAN HONDA/Getty Images

After Dominique Wilkins took a year away from the NBA to play overseas, a 37-year-old Human Highlight Film returned to the NBA and led San Antonio in scoring. Although this was well after Wilkins’ prime of literally jumping over everyone, he adjusted his game so that he can still be effective. San Antonio had one of its worst years in franchise history in 1996-97, but Wilkins one year with the team was one for the books.