What happened to the San Antonio Spurs in the two and a half weeks following Tim Duncan’s third ankle sprain of the year was quite predictable.

This story starts six months ago when I first looked at the San Antonio Spurs’ 2004-05 schedule. After circling the two dates the Spurs would come to play here in Phoenix, I circled just one more.

When all is said and done, most of us will be lucky enough to leave behind some sort of legacy. In the case of Sean Elliott, one legacy simply is not enough.

You’ll see him hit turnaround jumpers, throw down vicious dunks and fight for seemingly every rebound. You’ll see him block shots with either hand and play with the highest level of passion and energy imaginable.

Shaquille O’Neal will take the SBC Center floor Friday night donning black and red instead of the familiar purple and gold.