A Night at the Round Table

ESPN’s NBA Shootaround gang talks about everything from hoops to hackers.

By Richard J. Galasso

Even Anthony, the self-proclaimed ace of the foursome, has some terrible tales about his first few rounds. “I’ll never forget playing out in Tahoe the first time and I had really just got into golf. Man, I was nervous. I had never been that nervous in my life. And I said to myself, ‘Just hit the ball.’”Eventually however, they all honed their games. Nowadays it’s hard to even get them off the course. “Golf to me is the hardest thing to be good at,” Legler says. “I just think you need to play it constantly, constantly practicing.” It’s thanks in larger part to the encouragement of his colleagues at ESPN that Steven A. Smith has found his way onto the green. Smith is the newest and perhaps the most dedicated golf enthusiast of the group. When he’s not on the phone with NBA GMs breaking the latest trade, he’s calling Greg Anthony to give him updates on his golf game. “Every time he calls me: ‘Greg, I was at the golf course in St. Lucia and I was hitting it good,’” says Anthony of his on-air buddy. “That was Barbados,” snaps Smith playfully. “I’m going to be good. You can count on it.”

Additionally, the influence of the NBA itself is playing a role in expanding the game of golf. What guys like Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were pioneering in the mid 90s—using an off day to sneak in a round or two—is now the more of the norm around the league. “There are just so many guys who play now,” Legler mentions. “It’s such a big part of what you do in the summertime or when you’re not around the game. I think it’s definitely an influence.”

Anthony agrees that the culture of the league promotes golf. Many players who never even considered playing as youth are now turning to the game because it’s being introduced to them for the very first time. “You grow up in the inner city, you don’t have access to golf,” Anthony says. “I never touched a golf club until I was probably 23—I mean physically touched one until I was at least 23 or 24 years old. But as you get into this lifestyle and with all the charity work that goes on in professional sports, a lot of guys do golf tournaments. And you go for the first time and try it once and then you kind of get the bug and you start going out and participating and you get into it.”

Guys like Allan Houston and Charles Oakley are well-known for their love of game, but the younger set are just as passionate about getting on the course. Those like Chris Paul, Vince Carter and Antoine Walker are all serious players and they compete with the same tenacity on the golf course that they do on the basketball court.

“The big difference with golf as opposed to other sports when you talk about competitiveness, is I really feel like I’m competing against the course,” Legler says. “And every course is different. And that’s what I love about it. Because you’re trying really to tame that course, trying to prove that you can play that course and they all have different conditions and all have different degrees of difficulty. And that’s one of the things I love about it. I don’t really feel like I’m really competing with John or Greg or Steven when I go out there and play golf.” The entire Shootaround gang agrees that they try to keep it civil out on the course, stressing that they’re really not contending against each other, particularly since the game demands players to challenge themselves. “Our group doesn’t really talk a lot of trash,” Anthony says. “We’re all competitive, but we’ve never really gotten competitive in golf.”

“Out of the three of us, Greg is the most competitive,” Legler quickly chimes in. “Because he can get evil out on the course.”

“I remember last year he was going up into the woods!” Saunders says of Anthony, recalling one of his on-course tantrums. “I remember that 3-wood going over the trees.”

“He was going to quit after three holes,” Legler says. “We begged him to stay. ‘Come on, man! I’m going to be out here by myself.’ You were like, ‘I’m done. That’s it.’”

But Anthony defends himself. “I was so frustrated, man. You know, you go through those phases. The harder you try in golf, the harder it is. And so you’ve got to be able to let it go. And I definitely have my moments.”

Before Anthony has a chance to elaborate, the Shootaround producer is rushing into the green room. The laid back atmosphere of the lounge area is replaced by the buzz of production assistants and public relations gurus. The producer leans in. “Guys,” he says. “It’s show time.”

Back in the studio, the whole gang is gathered in preparation for the night’s broadcast. Smith, Anthony, Legler and Saunders are lined up behind the enormous sleek desk that acts as the show’s mission control. Smith digs his fingers through a Cheetos bag, polishing off a few bites before the cameras turn on. “What about after the show?” he asks. “What are we gonna’ eat?”

“Let’s go to the chop house,” Anthony says. “Definitely.”

“I don’t know,” Legler injects. “I feel like some salmon.”

“Come on, man,” Anthony shoots back. “You can get salmon at the chop house.”

Saunders rolls back in his chair and releases a powerful yawn, looking almost like Old Man Winter as he allows a great rush of air to escape from his mouth. “I slid in an afternoon delight,” he mentions coyly.

The go-time hush falls over the room once again. The cameras are in place and the behind the scenes crew is standing perfectly still. Smith leans across the sports desk with his arm out, fist balled up. He dishes out a series of pounds: three to be exact, one for each off his on-air partners. “Good show,” he says. “Good show.”

There’s a countdown from 10, and with a flick of his wrist, the director signals to Saunders, who lights up with the “On Air” sign.

“Live from Times Square, this is Kia NBA Shootaround.”