Tuesday, August 18, 1998
By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
San Antonio Spurs forward Sean Elliott works on
his shot during the Pete Newell Big Man Camp.
Waiting to excel
Sean Elliott, former All-American
By Cindy Luis
and NBA All-Star, tries to
regain his form at 30
Star-BulletinFree throws.
Not exactly Sean Elliott's forte of late
In his last two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, the All-American forward out of Arizona has hit about 74 percent from the line.
But this is the new Sean Elliott. The one no one has seen since a season-ending injury last January.
The one who calmly sank a free throw yesterday that saved the rest of the NBA pro players from continuing practice. Drills at the Pete Newell Big Man Camp ended early . . . thanks to Elliott's successful charity toss.
Life at 30 may begin for some but for Elliott, it's more of a renewal. His left quadriceps was reinjured in January, forcing the 6-foot-8 forward to re-evaluate his playing situation.
This was a guy not used to sitting out. He began his NBA career playing in 246 consecutive games for the San Antonio Spurs before being traded to the Detroit Pistons.
Back in San Antonio since 1994, Elliott has not played a game in seven months. Even in that short time, the game has changed. And so have the players.
"They are quicker now, there's a different attitude toward the game," Elliott said during a break at the camp at the Kamehameha Schools Kekuhaupi'o Gym.
Maybe that's why Elliott is here. The 1989 John Wooden Award winner as the top college player in the country is trying to get back into the Spurs' lineup.
"I'm doing well so far," said Elliott, who had surgery on his left quadriceps last January. "I'm not sore or anything. I'm just trying to get some kind of rhythm to my game. I'm here as a test. I haven't played in half a year.
"I'm looking for some coaching, some competition. That's hard to find with the (NBA) lockout going on. For me, the coaching part has been phenomenal so far."
Elliott was paired against Portland's Gary Trent, a forward about 30 pounds heavier, on a defensive drill. Trent beat Elliott to the basket on a baseline move.
It didn't happen again.
"I didn't know he was 30, he's very quick," said camp coach Tim Grgurich, late of George Karl's staff at Seattle. "This is the best thing (Sean) could have done. Other players would have been impressed by their stats.
"He just wants to play. It's a start for him. The injuries the past two seasons have hurt him. But he wants to come here and do the basic stuff. I hope he can get back to being the player he can be because he's worked really hard for it."
Personality aside, there is no need for Elliott to be on the baselines, cheering his camp teammates. He's made his millions. He has nothing to prove.
Yet, Elliott has tried to find ways to become indispensable. He's broken out a 40 percent 3-point shot in the past two years for the Spurs, hitting 161 in1995-96, his last full season.
"Anything I can do," said Elliott. "They want me to shoot more. That's one of my jobs.
"Being in the NBA at 30 . . . It's a different game. It's a different league. Players are different now. I don't know how much longer I can do it. How much longer I can contribute. As long as I can have fun, I'll stay."
