Three years ago David Robinson left the big island to give a big message. He flew from Hawaii, across the Pacific, over Staples Center, to tell something to Tim Duncan.

"We can still do great things," Robinson told Duncan.

Robinson didn't tell Duncan that it would take three years, and that along the way Shaq and Kobe would inflict some pain.

Duncan agreed, re-signing in the summer of 2000, but the deal wasn't completed until Sunday. Then Duncan and Robinson held up trophies amid confetti, side by side, just as they did in 1999.

Great things?

By any definition.