"Enjoying a career season distributing the basketball, Spurs point guard Tony Parker has moved within striking range of passing Avery Johnson as the Spurs' leader in career assists.

With seven assists in the Spurs' 93-81 victory over the Hornets on Thursday, Parker has 4,468 for a Spurs career that began in 2001. That is six shy of Johnson's mark of 4,474, established in 10 seasons in silver and black that stretched from the 1990-91 season through 2000-01.

Parker is averaging 7.9 assists per game, a career high.

The timing of Parker's arrival after the Spurs made him the 28th pick in the 2001 draft made it impossible for him not to immediately understand Johnson's legacy.

"When I first arrived that's all anybody talked about: Avery," Parker said. "He meant a lot to this city, so it's nice to be in the same category with him.

"I know Avery Johnson and know he was very big in this community and one of the best point guards ever in San Antonio. It will definitely be a great honor.""