Parker plunders Thunder

By Jeff McDonald

Tony Parker arrived in San Antonio in the summer of 2001 a skinny, unknown French point guard in an era when European players were still more novelty than necessity.

All Spurs coach Gregg Popovich asked him to do was replace the only championship point guard the franchise had ever had.

On a Saturday night more than a decade later, in the Spurs’ 107-96 victory over NBA-leading Oklahoma City, Parker replaced Avery Johnson in the record books. With nine assists, Parker passed Johnson as the team’s all-time leader with 4,477.

Popovich, ever the whip to Parker’s backside, feigned being unimpressed.

“He’s been here a long time,” Popovich said with a shrug and, if you looked closely enough, a smile. “He should have a lot of assists.”

In passing Johnson on the Spurs’ assist chart, however, Parker did something his predecessor could never do.

On his record-breaking night for giving, Parker also pumped in 42 points, his highest total in three seasons, to send the Spurs (16-9) off on their annual rodeo road trip on a season-best four-game winning streak.

For Parker, it was the first 40-point game since the 2008-09 campaign, when he had three, including a 55-point opus at Minnesota. It was one point shy of the ATT Center record of 43, set by Manu Ginobili against Orlando in 2010.

“I was rolling tonight,” said Parker, making a case to coaches voting for West All-Star reserves. “Every time I popped, I felt better in my head. I was in attack mode.”

For that, Parker again credits Popovich.

When he rolled into the ATT Center on Saturday night, Parker knew he needed seven assists to pass Johnson, now coach of the New Jersey Nets. His quest met with stiff resistance from his coach.

“Pop comes in before the game and says, ‘You need to take 25, 30 shots or we’re not going to win,’?” Parker said.

When Parker opened the game a little too pass-happy for Popovich’s liking, the coach gently reminded him of the pre-game orders.

“The first timeout, Pop screamed at me, ‘Shoot the ball!?” Parker said.

It didn’t take much prodding after that. Parker eventually got his record-breaking assist on a pick-and-pop jumper from Tim Duncan with 4:57 left in the third quarter.

Parker met his quota for field-goal attempts, going 16 of 29. Outside of the points, and the record, the most impressive number on Parker’s box score was zero — as in no turnovers.

“We knew we had to score a lot of points against these guys,” Popovich said. “(Parker) went into the game with that in mind. He was aggressive all night.”

Before the game, Popovich announced plans to have rookie Kawhi Leonard defend Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, the two-time NBA scoring champion.

“If he keeps him below 40, I’m gonna slap him on the ass and say, ‘Great job young man,’?” Popovich said.

Leonard earned his kudos. Durant finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Little did Popovich know he would have a 40-point scorer in his own huddle.

Outdueling Russell Westbrook, perhaps not coincidentally another scoring point guard up for All-Star consideration, Parker punctuated his record-snapping third quarter with 16 points.

When Parker hit a pair of free throws with 2:02 left in the frame, the Spurs led the Thunder (18-5) by 24.

Duncan, who played with both Johnson and Parker, laughed when asked if he could think of two point guards more dissimilar than the Little General and the French Blur.

“Yeah, I can’t imagine that,” Duncan said. “Knowing (Parker) is a scoring point guard more than anything, but he’s evolved over the years. He knows how to do it all, and you saw that tonight.”

Having changed places with Johnson in the Spurs’ record book, having at last replaced the irreplaceable, Parker can one day look forward to joining him in the ATT Center rafters.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Tom Reel

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Spurs 107, Thunder 96: Feb. 4, 2012


SPORTS Spurs center Tim Duncan puts up a shot against Kendrick Perkins as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker gets Nazr Mohammed (8) and a teammate hanging in there as he fakes to the basket as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker makes a quick spin move to get to the hoop on Nazr Mohammed as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs forward Matt Bonner is rejected at the net by Kendrick perkins as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker continues the move against Reggie Jackson which gets him to the bucket in the second half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs forward Tiago Splitter puts up a layup against Nick Cllision as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker returns to play for the fourth quarter as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs center Tim Duncan rips down a defensive rebound in the second half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker threatens to go in the lane against Reggie Jackson as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Danny Green causes havoc under the hoop as he pushes the ball through on a pass as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs forward Matt Bonner cranks up a three pointer as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs center Tiago Splitter works against Kendrick Perkins under the hoop as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker twists under Kendricks Perkins for a bucket in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Thunder forward kevin Durant is forced to pass by tough defensive applied by Kawhi Leonard as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker slips inside of Reggie Jackson for a clear look at the bucket as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Thunder guard Russell Westbrook gets smothered by Tony Parker and DeJuan Blair trying to control a loose ball in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Thunder guard Russell Westbrook gets kicked and stepped on trying to control a loose ball in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Tony Parker passes off after driving into the lane as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Thunder forward Nick Collision dives for a loose ball in front of Danny Green and Matt Bonner as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS Thunder center Kendrick Perkins pivots on Tim Duncan as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS The Silver dancers perform as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)


SPORTS The Silver Dancers perform as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

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Kings put blemish on Spurs’ home record

By Jeff McDonald

For the second game in a row, the Spurs found themselves needing a must-have basket late in the fourth quarter, and for the second game in a row, coach Gregg Popovich called timeout to set something up.

For the second game in a row, Popovich put the ball in Danny Green’s hands and, for the second game in a row, asked him to be Manu Ginobili and create a play with Tim Duncan.

Unlike in Orlando, where Green found Duncan for the tying layup, this time Green lofted a floater over the Sacramento defense.

When the ball fell short of everything Friday, sealing an 88-86 loss to the Kings that was the Spurs’ first at the ATT Center this season, it felt like the opposite of déjà vu.

“Pop trusted me again,” Green said. “I hope I get another chance another time.”

Right up until the final horn, it felt as if the Spurs had never left Orlando. Against the Magic on Wednesday, they didn’t shoot well and turned the ball over at inopportune times, but still emerged with their first road win, 85-83 in overtime.

Against the Kings, the Spurs didn’t shoot well, turned the ball over at inopportune times and lost.

Tyreke Evans scored 23 points — including the game-winning jumper with 47.2 seconds to go — to go with 11 rebounds and seven assists as the Kings snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Spurs.

Sacramento had lost nine in a row at the ATT Center, a streak dating to April 6, 2006.

“It’s probably the biggest win of the year for us,” said Kings guard John Salmons, who made two of his three field goals in the final 2:12.

Tony Parker scored 24 points and Duncan added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double despite playing only 5.5 seconds of the fourth quarter for the Spurs, who started 9-0 at home before Friday’s loss.

Just as the Spurs knew they weren’t going to go 0-33 on the road, even after an 0-5 start, they also knew they were unlikely to go 33-0 at home.

“It was just one of those ugly games we couldn’t pull out,” guard Gary Neal said. “Orlando was the same way. We just happened to pull that one out.”

The Spurs (10-6) opened the game as if still stuck in Orlando, missing 11 of 19 shots and giving away four turnovers and six offensive rebounds in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, Sacramento pushed its lead to 15.

The Kings (6-10) still led 73-67 heading into the fourth. The Spurs did not take their first lead until Tiago Splitter spun past DeMarcus Cousins for the last of his 10 points to make it 74-73 with 9:52 left.

“We dug ourselves a hole, not rebounding well, not getting back on ‘D,’?” said Popovich, whose team looks for road win No. 2 tonight in Houston.

The Spurs followed a 2-for-17 3-point effort in Orlando by starting 2 for 19 Friday, finally breaking through with a 3-for-7 fourth quarter.

The misses weren’t limited to beyond the arc. Green and Neal combined to shoot 7 of 23. Parker was 8 of 18. Richard Jefferson went 2 for 8.

“We couldn’t hit a shot,” said Parker, whose team endured its worst shooting night at home this season (37.8 percent). “It’s tough to win shooting 38 percent.”

When Matt Bonner hit his lone 3-pointer of the game and Parker followed with his first three of the season, the Spurs had an 82-78 lead with 4:57 to go.

Then, momentum swung again. Salmons hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the game with 1:23 to go. Evans followed with the go-ahead basket.

The Kings managed more points in those crucial 85 seconds than they’d scored in the previous 8:48.

That set the stage for Green’s shot at some Orlando déjà vu. Except with just 5.5 seconds to complete the play, Green wasn’t sure he could shuttle the ball to Duncan.

“My last couple shots had been high and long, so I tried to shoot it high and soft,” Green said. “I just didn’t get a good grip.”

Two nights after an ugly first road win, the Spurs had returned for an ugly first home loss.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Tom Reel/Express-News

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Kings 88, Spurs 86: Jan. 20, 2012


Tony Parker emphasizes contact from Jimmer Fredette in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan leans back to get a shot off against J.J. Hickson in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


SPORTS Tiago Splitter reverses under the hoop to score against DeMarcus Cousins as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


DeJuan Blair goes to the board with a shot against Jason Thompson as the Spurs lose to Sacramento 88-86 at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Gary Neal turns the corner on J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Gary Neal turns the corner on J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tiago Splitter gets fouled by DeMarcus Cousins in the second half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Richard Jefferson pumps a three pointer as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Matt Bonner hooks in a shot against DeMarcus Cousins as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker is pressured under the basket by Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker cradles the ball in the lane against J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


SPORTS Tim Duncan shoots around Jason Thompson in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


ony Parker dishes away after driving into the lane against Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


SPORTS Greg Popovich argues a call with the referee as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan pulls down a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Danny Green gets in the way of Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Kings guard John Salmons is pressured by Tiago splitter and Richard Jefferson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker instructs Danny Green as they walk back on the court as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Richard Jefferson clears a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan pulls down a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Danny Green gets in the way of Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Kings guard John Salmons is pressured by Tiago splitter and Richard Jefferson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker instruct Danny Green as they walk back on the court as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Richard Jefferson clears a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


DeJuan Blair comes out to guard Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Kawhi Leonard shoots free throws in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

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Former Spurs still driving to the hole

By Richard Oliver
roliver@express-news.net

On a recent steamy morning, Sean Elliott walked out his back door and headed to a corner of the patio of his sprawling home in far north San Antonio.

There, the former Spurs star renewed the quest for another miracle.

Only this time, Elliott wasn’t launching a 3-pointer from a deep corner of the Alamodome basketball court, a breathless city waiting to erupt. Instead, standing on a square patch of artificial turf, a scattering of scuffed golf balls at his feet and a weathered pitching wedge in his hands, the 6-foot-8 athlete lofted shot after shot toward a small, distant putting green that bordered the back of his nearly 5-acre plot.

The only spectators were the dozens of wild birds that screeched and swooped in and out of nearby towering oaks that hugged a large man-made pond.

“I want to be much better at this,” said Elliott, 43. “I want to be a plus handicap. Years ago, I was eating at a table with the coaches, talking about golf, and I said I wanted to do that.

“One of them said, ‘It’s impossible. You can’t do it.’ I got that bug inside me and said, ‘I’m going to do it.’”

Elliott, who took up the game in earnest after retiring from the NBA in 2001, is getting closer.

Listed these days as a 5-handicap, he practices with the kind of focus he once did when NBA championships were the goal. Whether in his picturesque backyard, playing in at least two scrambles a week or toiling at any number of driving ranges around the city, he will sometimes hit 400 shots or more a day, perfecting his game.

He’s not alone among former Spurs who have fallen in love with golf.

Hall of Famer George Gervin, who also professes a 5-handicap, carries his clubs with him around the world in his role as one of basketball’s beloved ambassadors.

Bruce Bowen, a passionate player since retiring two years ago, has rapidly whittled his handicap from well in the 20s to about 14. Other former Spurs players, including Brent Barry and Terry Porter, are excellent players.

“I just enjoy the game of golf,” said Bowen, 40. “It’s difficult, and that’s intriguing for me. There are so many things about golf that equate to life. One day it’s your best day of life, the next day it’s tragedy. In golf, one day it’s your best score ever, the next day you shoot about 100.

“In every round, there are real-life moments.”

When not teeing it up in China, Germany or at various headline courses nationwide, Gervin is practicing on the makeshift driving range he has constructed in the back of his 30-acre tract in Spring Branch. The practice area, from its teeing mats to the fence cutting across the other side of the property, stretches roughly 270 yards.

In between, Gervin has installed greens and flags at 50, 80 and 100 yards. A prolific scorer who totaled nearly 27,000 points during his NBA and ABA career, the 6-foot-8 “Iceman” now wants to score far less in a sport that requires it.

“That’s where I put the clubs in my hands every day,” Gervin, 59, said of his home range. “It’s therapeutic. I cut my own grass, I get up in the mornings and hit balls and in the evening I hit balls.”

He laughed. “I threatened to put some lights out there, but my wife thought it was overboard,” he said.

Gervin began playing golf actively after retiring from basketball in 1990. He said it filled a competitive void for him.

“I loved basketball so much. I had a passion for it,” he said. “We all wish we would have played (golf) when we were younger, but my mind was occupied on something else. I’m glad I had a passion for the game of basketball. But that time of life is over. Now, I’ve got golf.”

Elliott understands. After hitting wedge shots over the oaks and mesquites in his backyard, landing them on the rectangular green beyond, he gathered up errant balls and put them in a pile about 20 feet away from the flag. Under a blazing sun, the former Spurs great chipped shots toward the hole until sweat streamed down his brow.

He’s a 5-handicap working to become a scratch golfer. Only better.

Elliott admits he would like to someday try to play a pro event, perhaps on one of the blossoming celebrity tours.

“I love the game for a lot of reasons,” he said. “It’s challenging, for one. It’s a journey, a hard journey, and I like that. There’s nothing easy about it, and it takes a lot of work to just be mediocre.

“I feel like I can do it, so I’m going to go for it.”

Ex-Spurs greats’ golf profiles

Former Spurs George Gervin, Sean Elliott and Bruce Bowen, among other players, have taken up golf to fill a competitive void after retirement from basketball:

GEORGE GERVIN
Age: 59
Professed handicap: 5
Favorite local courses: Sonterra, River Crossing
Best golf memory: Playing Bob Hope Classic pro-ams with pros Bill Haas, Justin Leonard, David Duval and Kevin Chappell.
Holes-in-one: None
Thoughts on golf: “I’m glad I had a passion for the game of basketball. But that time of life is over. Now, I’ve got golf.”

SEAN ELLIOTT
Age: 43
Professed handicap: 5
Favorite local courses: Sonterra, The Quarry.
Best golf memory: Playing Valero Texas Open pro-am with Adam Scott and ATT Championship pro-am with Lee Trevino.
Holes-in-one: Two.
Thoughts on golf: “I love the game for a lot of reasons. It’s challenging, for one. It’s a journey, a hard journey, and I like that.”

BRUCE BOWEN
Age: 40
Professed handicap: 14
Favorite local course: Briggs Ranch
Best golf memory: Playing Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., this year. Enjoyed seeing historical photos on site, then playing.
Holes-in-one: None
Thoughts on golf: “I want to get better. There are so many things about golf that equates to life. One day it’s your best day of life, the next day it’s tragedy.”

— Richard Oliver

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Former Spurs playing golf


Former Spurs player and current broadcaster Sean Elliott practices his chip shot at a putting green in the backyard of his San Antonio home Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. (Jerry Lara/glara@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs great Sean Elliott uses his hat as a pin flag Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 while practicing at his home in far north San Antonio. (Jerry Lara/glara@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spurs player and current broadcaster Sean Elliott practices his golf swing in the backyard of his San Antonio home Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. (Jerry Lara/glara@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spurs player and current broadcaster Sean Elliott jokes around as he practices his golf game in the backyard of his San Antonio home Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. (Jerry Lara/glara@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spurs player and current broadcaster Sean Elliott practices his golf game in the backyard of his San Antonio home Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. (Jerry Lara/glara@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs forward Matt Bonner shakes hands with former Spur George Gervin during the Matt Bonner KSN Charity Golf Classic on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. (Helen L. Montoya/hmontoya@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spur Sean Elliott hits his tee shot on the No. 16 at La Cantera on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006 during the pro am event for the Valero Texas Open. (Tom Reel/treel@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


PGA golfer Dickie Pride (left) and former Spur George Gervin play a game of “Horse” for charity on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 19, 2006 during an event held for the media to promote the Valero Texas Open. (William Luther/wluther@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Then-Spurs guard Brent Barry (left) and PGA golfer Dickie Pride talk Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 19, 2006 during an event held for the media to promote the Valero Texas Open. (William Luther/wluther@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Then-Spur Brent Barry blasts from the sand on No. 3 during the Oak Farms Dairy Charity Pro-Am event of the Valero Texas Open at La Cantera on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005. (Bob Owen/rowen@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


Then-Spur Brent Barry tees off under the watchful eye of playing pro Olin Browne during the Oak Farms Dairy Charity Pro-Am at La Cantera on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005. (Bob Owen/rowen@express-news.net / San Antonio Express-News)


George Gervin smiles for the camera at the George Gervin Celebrity Golf Tournament on Monday, Sept. 22, 2003 at Tapatio Springs. (File photo / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spur George Gervin watches his putt on the green at the George Gervin Celebrity Golf Tournament on Monday, Sept. 22, 2003 at Tapatio Springs. (File photo / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spur George Garvin (left) talks with Reggie Jackson at a golf tournament benefiting the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials at Tapatio Springs in Boerne on July 9, 2002. (File photo / San Antonio Express-News)


Then-Spur Sean Elliott smiles as he misses a birdie on the sixth hole at the Dominion Country Club SBC Senior PGA Tour on Tuesday, June 13, 2000. (File photo / San Antonio Express-News)


Then-Spur Terry Porter keeps a close eye during a drive off the fairway at the Dominion Country Club SBC Championship Senior PGA Tour on Tuesday June 13, 2000. (File photo / San Antonio Express-News)


Then-Spur Sean Elliott tees off on the seventh at the pro-am Senior PGA Tour on Tuesday afternoon, June 13, 2000. (File photo / San Antonio Express-News)

  • GLF SEAN ELLIOTT 02 JL
  • GLF SEAN ELLIOTT 03 JL
  • GLF SEAN ELLIOTT 01 JL
  • GLF SEAN ELLIOTT 05 JL
  • GLF SEAN ELLIOTT 04 JL
  • MATT BONNER HM
  • TEXAS OPEN PRO AM 11 20
  • 0919 GOLF AND SPURS 1
  • 0919 GOLF AND SPURS 2
  • TEXAS OPEN 4
  • TEXAS OPEN
  • GOLF 3 GF
  • GOLF 2 GF
  • BARKLEY
  • SBC Golf 5 DL
  • SBC Golf 4 DL
  • SBC Golf 3 DL