duncan228
03-09-2009, 11:31 PM
When Bowen speaks, rookie listens, learns (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/When_Bowen_speaks_rookie_listens_learns.html)
Mike Monroe
Spurs rookie George Hill has a collection of DVDs he regularly watches at home to help him prepare for some opponents.
It's a collection called “Bruce Bowen's Greatest Hits.”
“I watch that a lot,” Hill said after his standout defensive stint against Suns point guard Steve Nash in the Spurs' 103-98 victory at the AT&T Center on Sunday. “I've got DVDs at home of Brucie playing ‘D' against a lot of players. That's one thing I try to focus on, because Brucie's been in the league a long time.”
Indeed, Bowen has been in the NBA for 12-plus seasons. The league's coaches have put him on the All-Defensive first team each of the past five seasons.
Now Bowen serves as mentor, both through advice and example, to Hill, a player the Spurs believe has the potential to be a Bowen-like defensive stopper.
A player whose defensive tactics occasionally are compared to those of a martial artist has becomesensei to Hill's role as the Spurs' Karate Kid.
Bowen sees Hill's potential to affect games with his unique set of defensive gifts.
“I just hope he understands what he has, as far as his ability to affect the game at times with his length,” Bowen said of a perimeter player with the wingspan of a forward. “I hope he doesn't misconstrue why he is out there, and start doing things they're not looking for.”
When Bowen speaks during Spurs practice sessions, Hill listens.
“I talk to him all the time about things I can work on to be a better defender,” Hill said. “In practice, sometimes when I do something wrong, or right, he tells me. He's been a great help in both ways, on and off the court.”
Hill's offensive game remains a work in progress. Bowen knows, better than most, that defensive excellence buys court time for even offensively challenged Spurs.
“If you're able to bring that defensive side,” he said, “that keeps you on the floor a lot.
“He has the potential, but it's all about the ticker. But George is willing to listen and learn, and that's what it's all about. He looks for help from guys who have been around, and I appreciate that from George.”
Mike Monroe
Spurs rookie George Hill has a collection of DVDs he regularly watches at home to help him prepare for some opponents.
It's a collection called “Bruce Bowen's Greatest Hits.”
“I watch that a lot,” Hill said after his standout defensive stint against Suns point guard Steve Nash in the Spurs' 103-98 victory at the AT&T Center on Sunday. “I've got DVDs at home of Brucie playing ‘D' against a lot of players. That's one thing I try to focus on, because Brucie's been in the league a long time.”
Indeed, Bowen has been in the NBA for 12-plus seasons. The league's coaches have put him on the All-Defensive first team each of the past five seasons.
Now Bowen serves as mentor, both through advice and example, to Hill, a player the Spurs believe has the potential to be a Bowen-like defensive stopper.
A player whose defensive tactics occasionally are compared to those of a martial artist has becomesensei to Hill's role as the Spurs' Karate Kid.
Bowen sees Hill's potential to affect games with his unique set of defensive gifts.
“I just hope he understands what he has, as far as his ability to affect the game at times with his length,” Bowen said of a perimeter player with the wingspan of a forward. “I hope he doesn't misconstrue why he is out there, and start doing things they're not looking for.”
When Bowen speaks during Spurs practice sessions, Hill listens.
“I talk to him all the time about things I can work on to be a better defender,” Hill said. “In practice, sometimes when I do something wrong, or right, he tells me. He's been a great help in both ways, on and off the court.”
Hill's offensive game remains a work in progress. Bowen knows, better than most, that defensive excellence buys court time for even offensively challenged Spurs.
“If you're able to bring that defensive side,” he said, “that keeps you on the floor a lot.
“He has the potential, but it's all about the ticker. But George is willing to listen and learn, and that's what it's all about. He looks for help from guys who have been around, and I appreciate that from George.”