polandprzem
03-06-2006, 05:19 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/images/2005-2006/0305spurs3_bowen_eao.jpg
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
At some point Monday night, when he finds himself running all over the Staples Center floor trying to stem a never-ending stream of jump shots and dribble-drives from the NBA's leading scorer, Bruce Bowen will think back to his last two games.
And he'll remember there are tasks more grueling than hounding Kobe Bryant.
Specifically, he'll be thankful he isn't spending another night leaning on power forwards such as Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Portland's Zach Randolph, both of whom became frustrated victims of Bowen's defense at the AT&T Center this past week.
"Those guys are heavy," Bowen said after his late work on Randolph helped lift the Spurs to a 101-81 victory over the Trail Blazers on Saturday. "I don't like all that banging. I'm a little guy. I'll take chasing any day."
But despite his preferences, Bowen once again proved quite adept at "banging."
Two nights after harassing the 7-foot Nowitzki as the Spurs beat the Mavericks, Bowen was called upon to slow down Randolph, a 6-9, 253-pounder who had scored 19 points against the Spurs' big men by the middle of the third quarter.
After Randolph's 3-pointer put the Blazers up 58-55, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called a timeout and assigned the 6-7, 200-pound Bowen to front Randolph. Over the next 4:10, the Spurs reeled off a 10-0 run as Randolph missed two shots and committed two turnovers.
"He'd been hurting us the whole game," Popovich said. "(Bowen) really changed the complexion by helping us get those stops at the defensive end."
Bowen's approach against Randolph — constantly staying between his man and the ball to deny the entry pass — was similar to his strategy against Nowitzki, with one exception.
Nowitzki wanted the ball farther away from the basket, meaning Bowen often had to front him on the wing. Against Randolph, who finished with 24 points, he spent the bulk of his time in or near the lane.
But Bowen said every time he guards a bigger player — as he has done twice against Nowitzki this season and against Toronto's Chris Bosh on Feb.8 — his game plan is the same.
"The key is staying mentally into it," Bowen said. "You know you have to do a really good job of trying to front him, because you're outweighed by so much."
Spurs guard Michael Finley, who took a brief turn against Randolph when Bowen was on the bench in the fourth quarter, said he admires the way Bowen "gets guys out of their comfort zone."
"That's what Bruce does," Popovich said. "And he does it better than anybody out there."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030506.7C.BKNspurs.bowen.367469b.html
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Well Bowen shows up againg. His defens is realy amazing. You can put him on the best player (from 1 to 4) in any team and he will step up.
And he has done that. From the Iverson through Kobes, Carters, Allens to Nowitzkies, Boshes and Randolphes
If he will not get the DPOTY then I do not know what are they thinking
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
At some point Monday night, when he finds himself running all over the Staples Center floor trying to stem a never-ending stream of jump shots and dribble-drives from the NBA's leading scorer, Bruce Bowen will think back to his last two games.
And he'll remember there are tasks more grueling than hounding Kobe Bryant.
Specifically, he'll be thankful he isn't spending another night leaning on power forwards such as Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Portland's Zach Randolph, both of whom became frustrated victims of Bowen's defense at the AT&T Center this past week.
"Those guys are heavy," Bowen said after his late work on Randolph helped lift the Spurs to a 101-81 victory over the Trail Blazers on Saturday. "I don't like all that banging. I'm a little guy. I'll take chasing any day."
But despite his preferences, Bowen once again proved quite adept at "banging."
Two nights after harassing the 7-foot Nowitzki as the Spurs beat the Mavericks, Bowen was called upon to slow down Randolph, a 6-9, 253-pounder who had scored 19 points against the Spurs' big men by the middle of the third quarter.
After Randolph's 3-pointer put the Blazers up 58-55, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called a timeout and assigned the 6-7, 200-pound Bowen to front Randolph. Over the next 4:10, the Spurs reeled off a 10-0 run as Randolph missed two shots and committed two turnovers.
"He'd been hurting us the whole game," Popovich said. "(Bowen) really changed the complexion by helping us get those stops at the defensive end."
Bowen's approach against Randolph — constantly staying between his man and the ball to deny the entry pass — was similar to his strategy against Nowitzki, with one exception.
Nowitzki wanted the ball farther away from the basket, meaning Bowen often had to front him on the wing. Against Randolph, who finished with 24 points, he spent the bulk of his time in or near the lane.
But Bowen said every time he guards a bigger player — as he has done twice against Nowitzki this season and against Toronto's Chris Bosh on Feb.8 — his game plan is the same.
"The key is staying mentally into it," Bowen said. "You know you have to do a really good job of trying to front him, because you're outweighed by so much."
Spurs guard Michael Finley, who took a brief turn against Randolph when Bowen was on the bench in the fourth quarter, said he admires the way Bowen "gets guys out of their comfort zone."
"That's what Bruce does," Popovich said. "And he does it better than anybody out there."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030506.7C.BKNspurs.bowen.367469b.html
------------
Well Bowen shows up againg. His defens is realy amazing. You can put him on the best player (from 1 to 4) in any team and he will step up.
And he has done that. From the Iverson through Kobes, Carters, Allens to Nowitzkies, Boshes and Randolphes
If he will not get the DPOTY then I do not know what are they thinking