Bruce Bowen-- Rafters or Not?

[DesignatedT]

Trying to blow some time before the late game tonight and Manu getting inked up for 3 more years it made me think that Duncan,Ginobili and Parker will all be up in the rafters pretty soon.

Now the question remains... since Bowen retired this year should the spurs hang Bruce Bowen's #12 in the rafters in the near future?

Retiring someones # is supposed to go to exceptional players from your franchise... I know many didn't agree with Avery's # getting retired but do you guys think Bowen has done enough to deserve this privilege?

Retired Numbers:
00-Johnny Moore
06-Avery Johnson
13-James Silas
32-Sean Elliott
44-George Gervin(hof)
50-David Robinson(hof)

[Rynospursfan]

Yes he should have his number retired. He was a major part of 3 championships.

Poll down?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

If AJ's up there, Bruce is three times as deserving, IMHO.

[Refocus]

if aj's up there, bruce is three times as deserving, imho.

+11111111111111

[ohmwrecker]

Isn't there already a thread about this? . . . and, yes . . . rafters. 100%.

[tothrowed]

men lie women lie numbers dont lie

[DAF86]

Hell yeah.

[NFGIII]

If AJ's up there, Bruce is three times as deserving, IMHO.

:tu

'nuff said

case closed.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Hell yes to #12!

[sammy]

Hell yes, Bruce should be up there! Can we add Robert Horry since he helped with 2005 and 2007 Championships!

[austN Spur]

Definately no doubt about it. I just think that numbers should be retired for everyone, but more like just your jersey up in the rafters with your name.

And havent been here in a few does. LOVE the new look. awesome job!:flag:

[tp2021]

Yes.

[Dex]

Bowen deserves to be right up there along Tim, Tony, and Manu. He was an integral part of three championship runs and the Spurs community for a decade, and it's hard to include guys like Elliott and Johnson and not think about #12.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If Avery '3 decent years' Johnson is up there then Bruce had better fucking be up there.

AJ hit a 12 foot jumpshot and hes touted as this great player. Bruce was covering the best perimeter players in the league every night and winning those battles.

[LakerHater]

If AJ's up there, Bruce is three times as deserving, IMHO.
I think they should pull Avery's down & put Bruce's up!

[Mel_13]

Isn't there already a thread about this? . . . and, yes . . . rafters. 100%.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131858

Bowen's number will be retired.

The only real question is when. I believe he'll have to wait until after #21 is up there.

[crc21209]

If Avery '3 decent years' Johnson is up there then Bruce had better fucking be up there.

AJ hit a 12 foot jumpshot and hes touted as this great player. Bruce was covering the best perimeter players in the league every night and winning those battles.

+10000000. Bruce was a MAJOR piece to 3 championships, so if AJ is up there for being a part of one, Bruce damn well better be up there for being a main reason for 3 of those banners hanging up there.

[Libri]

IMO, it should be very exclusive but since AJ is already up there then I agree with the following:
If AJ's up there, Bruce is three times as deserving, IMHO.

[tothrowed]

What the hell kinda question is this, this is like asking if soulja boy sucks ass, the asnwer will always be yes

[Cry Havoc]

You don't see many players who can literally shut down a top 5 scorer in the league on a given night.

Bowen did it night after night. Pippen is revered for his defense, but Bowen has to be one of the best 2 guard defenders that ever played. His D was absolutely lock down.

[SpurCharger]

Hell yes.... Not Great Stats... But He Did All The dirty Work For us!

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't really know how a lot of Spurs fans seem to think he doesn't deserve it..no-brainer to me..

The problem going forward with the Spurs will be that retiring AJ's jersey might have set a precedent..a lot of guys in the future could look more deserving just compared to Avery, since I don't believe he necessarily deserves to have his number up there..

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

no doubt

[Mel_13]

I don't really know how a lot of Spurs fans seem to think he doesn't deserve it..no-brainer to me..

The problem going forward with the Spurs will be that retiring AJ's jersey might have set a precedent..a lot of guys in the future could look more deserving just compared to Avery, since I don't believe he necessarily deserves to have his number up there..

Yep.

The 1999 team has Robinson, Avery, and Sean

The 2003, 2005, 2007 teams will have Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, and Bowen.

[DesignatedT]

pop will lobby to get finleys number up there... although finley probably hurt his chances by asking for a buyout.

[baseline bum]

Without Bowen, Kobe has one more ring and probably Nash too. His number being raised to the rafters is obvious.

[SenorSpur]

Never a question.

[TIMMYD!]

It most likely will but like many people have been asking, when?

[raspsa]

The guy exemplified tough-nosed Spurs BB.. no question in my mind his number should be retired.

[scottspurs]

yes to #12

[Spurs Brazil]

I don't know why is taking so long

I hope it happens next season

[silverblackfan]

The only question is when, not if.

[NRHector]

it would be sweet if 21,20,12,9 go to the rafters together the same night

[E-RockWill]

without bowen, kobe has one more ring and probably nash too. His number being raised to the rafters is obvious.

+1

[DesignatedT]

it would be sweet if 21,20,12,9 go to the rafters together the same night

:lol that would be insane.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

No doubt about it, Bowen deserves it.

[FkLA]

I know Im in the minority here, but I wouldnt retire his number.

Love Bruce, he was a big part of the team without a doubt. But he's a role player...a great one but a role player nonetheless. Spurs are what the third winningnest franchise in NBA history behind the Cs and Lakers and fourth as far as titles go behind those two+ the Bulls. This would be the equivalent of the Lakers retiring Fisher's number or even Horry's number (not happening). Historic franchises shouldnt retire just anybody's number, AJ is up there simply because he was a part of the first one and that one is always special. Two wrongs dont make a right though. Kinda expecting this to happen though even if I dont agree with it, and Id still give Bruce a hand and be happy for him.

[timtonymanu]

pop will lobby to get finleys number up there... although finley probably hurt his chances by asking for a buyout.

if that happens then might as well get horry and barry's number, they did more to the team than that piece of shit.

[CubanSucks]

yes yes yes yes yes. hell yes

[EmptyMan]

Yes.

[CubanSucks]

it would be sweet if 21,20,12,9 go to the rafters together the same night

Even though it won't happen considering the time difference in all 4 retiring, if it ever did I would probably have some waterworks

[rascal]

If AJ's up there, Bruce is three times as deserving, IMHO.

Neither should have their numbers retired. The spurs retiring AJ's number has set the bar low.

[rascal]

I know Im in the minority here, but I wouldnt retire his number.

Love Bruce, he was a big part of the team without a doubt. But he's a role player...a great one but a role player nonetheless. Spurs are what the third winningnest franchise in NBA history behind the Cs and Lakers and fourth as far as titles go behind those two+ the Bulls. This would be the equivalent of the Lakers retiring Fisher's number or even Horry's number (not happening). Historic franchises shouldnt retire just anybody's number, AJ is up there simply because he was a part of the first one and that one is always special. Two wrongs dont make a right though. Kinda expecting this to happen though even if I dont agree with it, and Id still give Bruce a hand and be happy for him.

Agree. The only ones who should have retired numbers are Robinson and Gervin. retired numbers should be for Hall of fame franchise players.

[san antonio spurs]

Agree. The only ones who should have retired numbers are Robinson and Gervin. retired numbers should be for Hall of fame franchise players.
This is ridiculous. A player's number is retired because of his value to the team. Are you arguing Bruce's value to this team's 3 rings? He was the second most consistent spur at what he does. The man deserves it.

[baseline bum]

Could anyone imagine the Spurs winning the 03 title without Bowen? With Kobe putting up 33, 7, and 7 on 51% shooting like he did on the Spurs in the playoffs the year before Bruce came?

[ThePop]

As much as I hate to see our players retire, I look forward to the day where 12 9 20 21 are in the rafters.

[GSH]

He was the best defensive player on a dynasty team that was defined by defense. There is no question that his jersey belongs in the rafters.

I've held my tongue on this all season. But look at the games the team has lost this season, and look at how often the winning team had two people go off for big numbers. We could have survived one guy going off, but not two.

The one thing that is missing from this Spurs team is the ability to send Bruce Bowen onto the floor to shut down one player on the other team. I really believe that if we had a younger Bruce Bowen on this team, we could have given the Lakers a run for best record in the West.

Bruce didn't win a lot of games, exactly. But he kept the other teams from beating us. Retiring a jersey doesn't imply Hall of Fame play. Bruce was the defensive anchor on those championship teams, as well as a couple that almost were. Hang the jersey... soon.

[carina_gino20]

The one thing that is missing from this Spurs team is the ability to send Bruce Bowen onto the floor to shut down one player on the other team.

This. And at times, maybe even two.

His number should be retired.


it would be sweet if 21,20,12,9 go to the rafters together the same night

That would be epic.

[L.I.T]

Yes. Value sometimes does not show up in the stats. And his value to the Spurs franchise was immense during his tenure here.

[shelshor]

Bowen deserves it much more than Avery

[stéphane]

He was the best defensive player on a dynasty team that was defined by defense. There is no question that his jersey belongs in the rafters.

I've held my tongue on this all season. But look at the games the team has lost this season, and look at how often the winning team had two people go off for big numbers. We could have survived one guy going off, but not two.

The one thing that is missing from this Spurs team is the ability to send Bruce Bowen onto the floor to shut down one player on the other team. I really believe that if we had a younger Bruce Bowen on this team, we could have given the Lakers a run for best record in the West.

Bruce didn't win a lot of games, exactly. But he kept the other teams from beating us. Retiring a jersey doesn't imply Hall of Fame play. Bruce was the defensive anchor on those championship teams, as well as a couple that almost were. Hang the jersey... soon.

Very well written.

No doubt for me. Bruce is way more than a role player.
Defense wins Championships.

[Bukefal]

Hell yeah, he certainly deserves it!

[whottt]

No brainer.

Bruce won't be in the HOF but he is a HOF defensive player. 8 All NBA D, 6 time first team. That is rare territory for a perimeter player in terms of defensive recognition...probably all the guys with that many all NBA D teams outside of Michael Cooper, are in the HOF, or will be.

He was definitely key for that 2003 title and IMO, he was the true Finals MVP of the 2007 team.

[21_Blessings]

Without Bowen, Kobe has one more ring and probably Nash too. His number being raised to the rafters is obvious.

Haha, what? Bowen was hardly the difference in 2003 when Horry was pulling a Rasheed and shooting 2-38 from behind the arc.

[stéphane]

He was definitely key for that 2003 title and IMO, he was the true Finals MVP of the 2007 team.

Had to highlight this one for the guys that consider you the ultimate Parker lover.

[ElNono]

Yes

[mudyez]

of course #12 should be up there

aj's shouldnt though

[bus driver]

#6-yes
#12-yes
#20-no







:lol YES to ALL 3!

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Haha, what? Bowen was hardly the difference in 2003 when Horry was pulling a Rasheed and shooting 2-38 from behind the arc.

Horry wouldn't have been been forced to launch all those shots if Kobe was getting his.

[baseline bum]

Haha, what? Bowen was hardly the difference in 2003 when Horry was pulling a Rasheed and shooting 2-38 from behind the arc.

I'd say there's a pretty major difference between letting Kobe run amok in 2001 without Bowen and Bowen holding him to 43% shooting and half the assists in 03. But you wouldn't because you're an idiot.

[poop]

Bowen CERTAINLY should be in the rafters!

especially if freakin avery johnson is up there.....

[MarCowMar]

Bowen's number will probalby be retired during a slow ticket sales month so they can get fans out when they otherwise might not have.

[TampaDude]

If AJ is up there, then yeah, Bowen should be, too.

[JR3]

Because AJ got hung, Bruce is a lock... I think the question should be: If AJ's # wasn't retired, would we consider retiring Bruces #?

[CubanSucks]

Because AJ got hung, Bruce is a lock... I think the question should be: If AJ's # wasn't retired, would we consider retiring Bruces #?

This is what's starting to piss me off. Fuck all this AJ hate. Can't we just look at each players career individually and how much they've meant for the team? But anyways, short answer to your post is still a definate hell yes

[Dverde]

http://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/gallery/files/3/8/5/1/6/bump.jpg

[tonight...you]

I'd put that # back up. Right now.

[SouthTexasRancher]

Bruce Bowen's #12 jersey was retired on March 21, 2012.

However, Bruce allowed it to be temporarily removed so LMA could wear #12. It will be reinstated when LMA retires or goes to another team.

And yes, Bruce's jersey # deserves to be on the list with all the greats. Ice never played a lick of 'D' but, you'd be hanged in the town's square if you didn't include him. Bruce was almost as bad at offense as Danny Green, but, like Danny, Bruce played lock down defense on the other team's best back court and/or wing player/scorer. And yes AJ's number retired jersey should remain up there. He and Mario Elle drove the 1999 team to its championship. AJ had no problem getting in Tim, David and Sean's face. Plus he hit that 12'-15' shot from the side to seal the deal in 1999.

[fusionjazzman72]

An ego maniac wears Bruce’s number now

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Spurs need to find Bruce a replacement gig. Another casualty of uncle Dennis.

[dbestpro]

Yes. If Avery is there, Bruce should be there. It would be a reminder to the commitment to defense.

[Dverde]

Spurs need to find Bruce a replacement gig. Another casualty of uncle Dennis.
Maybe he can manage the Whataburger inside the stadium

[DJR210]

Bruce > Bonner

Open Bonner a sandwich cart at the AT&T center.