Most Valuable? Past Is Present

David Robinson still feels pain. And this has nothing to do with his lower back.

This pain lingers from 1995, when his highest career achievement preceded one of his lowest. Then, before Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, Commissioner David Stern awarded Robinson the most valuable player trophy.

Hakeem Olajuwon promptly slugged Robinson with it.

Another Spur now waits for his own trophy, with his own rival poised to slug.

The one who can stop the same from happening?

The one who lived it before.

Robinson.

That’s where Robinson’s other pain comes into play. He has what they call a “floating particle” in his back, and that never sounds good.

Seven years ago there wasn’t a credible runner-up to Robinson. Olajuwon was coming off an MVP season the year before, but he missed a chunk of that season because of injuries. The Rockets finished as the sixth seed, and rarely are trophies given for that.

Then came the award presentation in the Alamodome, where Duncan’s presentation likely will be before Game 3. Mario Elie, then in the Rockets’ locker room, later told what happened.

Olajuwon saw Stern and Robinson and the celebration, then turned to no one in particular. “That man has my trophy,” growled Olajuwon.

Olajuwon followed with an athletic zenith. He spun Robinson, tossed out the Dream Shake and won the series.

“Who’s the MVP now!” Clyde Drexler crowed in the aftermath.

Robinson said he put the trophy in a closet and had a hard time looking at it.

“I had trouble enjoying [the MVP award] at all,” Robinson said. “You know, that trophy still has bad memories.”

It was supposed to represent success. It haunted instead.

So does Duncan face the same now with Shaquille O’Neal?

Robinson smiled. “No. I can see us beating the Lakers.”

And if that doesn’t happen?

“People know Tim deserves it. He’s clearly the best.”

Robinson says Duncan still held his own Sunday, and the numbers back that up. Duncan missed 21 of 30 shots, all right, but still ended with 21 rebounds, four blocks and five assists.

Maybe that’s another sign of the MVP. Even when he’s off, he’s effective.

But Robinson has another point, and this one was on his side too, in 1995.

“Look who Shaq has around him,” said Robinson.

Olajuwon had Drexler. O’Neal has Kobe Bryant, another top-five MVP candidate. The second-best Spur, in contrast, is arguably Tony Parker, a 19-year-old in his first playoff season.

But what if Robinson’s floating particle floats into place tonight? What if Robinson can give 25 minutes of defense on O’Neal, and the Spurs even the series?

And what happens if Duncan receives his award Friday, and he’s then joined in the starting lineup by a former MVP?

A series changes. As does the perception of a trophy.