SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 19: George Gervin looks on during the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Today the Iceman turns 74. That doesn’t seem possible, but it’s true. He moved here in 1974 in after being traded to the San Antonio Spurs by the Virginia Squires. This was in the final years of the ABA. Soon after the trade, Gervin became eligible for the NBA draft and was chosen 40th overall by the Phoenix Suns, but he turned down the NBA to stay with the Spurs. Two years later, the ABA and NBA merged, bringing Gervin into the NBA. Gervin brought an offensive flair the Silver Black that revolutionized the Spurs game. He was their centerpiece elevating them as contenders. He played with the Spurs until 1985, making the postseason for all but one year. In his final NBA season, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls. He played one season alongside a young Michael Jordan, then moved to playing in Italy with Banco di Roma, Continental Basketball Association Quad City Thunder, and TDK Manrese in Spain before retiring in 1990. After retiring, Gervin returned to San Antonio as a community leader, creating safe spaces for underprivileged children. In 1991, he established the George Gervin Youth Center. The following year he rejoined the San Antonio Spurs, this time as an assistant coach. He served for two years while David Robinson was the centerpiece of the Spurs, the mantle being passed as Gervin worked with the next player to revolutionize the franchise. At the first Spurs playoff game since 2019, George and his sister Barbra Gervin-Hawkins were honored on the court in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the George Gervin Academy. View this post on Instagram 30 years in the community after retiring from basketball. And The Iceman chose to stay here in San Antonio. A reminder that this community embraces its players, part of the reason you can see George Gervin walking through a furniture store, or David Robinson sitting next to you in a Mexican restaurant, or bump into Bruce Bowen at H-E-B, or Monty Williams coaching high school ball, or see Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Gorgui Dieng watching a Spurs game, or Tony Parker on the front row, or Fabricio Oberto or Boris Diaw returning for a visit. The community embraces them, the crowds love them, and they had great years here. And if we’re really being honest, it started with Gervin. He came in with his winning smile, and his pinache and simply took over. He set the tone that brought the leadership of David Robsinon and Tim Duncan, and now Victor Wembanyama. It started over fifty years ago. That doesn’t seem possible, but it’s true. Happy birthday, Iceman. I hope it is an epic day. Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here. Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language. ...read more read less