Ex-Spurs return for Gervin charity
By Dan McCarney
San Antonio Express-News
09/23/2003 12:00 AM
BOERNE — When Artis Gilmore went to bed Sunday night, San Antonio was enveloped in a gray mist that threatened to put a damper on the Target/George Gervin Youth Center Charity Golf Classic.
Johnny Moore was one of several former Spurs players to take part in Monday's Target/George Gervin Youth Center Charity Golf Classic at Tapatio Springs.
But when the former Spurs center awoke Monday morning, he was greeted by blue skies and sunshine.
Figures, Gilmore thought. In the end, things usually work out well for the Iceman.
"Saturday we played and it was just pouring down," Gilmore said. "This is great for George."
Gilmore, who helped lead San Antonio to the 1983 Western Conference finals, was one of a handful of ex-Spurs who participated in the golf tournament at Tapatio Springs. Others included Mike Mitchell, Coby Dietrick, Johnny Moore, Mike Gale and William Franklin.
All still live in the Alamo City except for Gilmore, who works as a motivational speaker out of his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. Gilmore is an avid golfer, but he was just as happy to visit his former home and catch up with his old teammates.
"The city was great," said Gilmore, who averaged 16.1 points per game in five seasons with the Spurs. "It's always a pleasure to return. I have a lot of great memories."
As does Mitchell, who returned to live in San Antonio following a lengthy playing stint in Europe.
"I always knew, when we moved here back in 1981, that this was a place where I could retire," Mitchell said, who played overseas until he was 43. "The fans, they respect what you've done for them and they appreciate you even after you've retired. I go to other cities and I notice the guys don't get treated the same way we get treated here in San Antonio."
Because of that treatment, players such as Dietrick were thrilled the city was rewarded with another NBA title.
"I'm so glad the fans got to experience something like that," Dietrick said. "People treat me special in this town because of my association with the Spurs. For them to think that way about me is just the coolest thing in my life."
