Sean Elliott: The Unsung Hero of the San Antonio Spurs rise to the top during the 1990s | FPP

He was the unsung hero of the San Antonio Spurs rise to greatness in the 1990s. He came into the league in the same season as David Robinson whose legendary career would overshadow Sean Elliott, but NBA fans know just how important Elliott was to that turnaround. He was an Arizona Wildcats Legend who came into the league with question marks around a high shool knee injury. But he proved the doubters wrong by improving his play each season. He was traded to Detroit and seemed like he wasn’t taking basketball seriously as he looked overweight and out of shape, but then it was revealed that he was suffering from significant kidney issues and was playing through it without making excuses. After one year in Detroit he would return to San Antonio and play alongside David Robinson and Dennis Rodman where he would a couple of the best seasons of his career. The next two seasons saw him deal with knee tendinitis which had finally caught up to him and with Robinson suffering a broken foot in 1997, the Spurs returned to the bottom of the league. But this was a blessing in disguise as they were able to draft Tim Duncan in 1997. Although Elliott would have a less significant role in the offense for the remainder of his career, he would still be an integral in the Spurs first NBA Championship in 1999, which included his Memorial day miracle shot against the Portland in the 1999 Western Conference Finals. Then after that season, the severity of his kidney ailment was revealed and he missed the majority of the 2000 season while recovering from a kidney transplant. He returned late in the season to become the first professional athlete to return from a kidney transplant and then would play parts of the 2001 season before retiring after a 12 year career. His career flies under the radar as he was about his business and didn’t need publicity, but it’s a career that could have been over after a few seasons. So, Elliot even playing through everything is impressive, but to also play at the highest level and be a multiple all star is special. And that’s why his underrated career of the Ninja, Sean Elliott deserves more recognition.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/elliose01.html

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