Nowitzki nemesis Bowen is a burr of a Spur

[td4mvp3]

Nowitzki nemesis Bowen is a burr of a Spur

02:56 AM CDT on Friday, April 7, 2006
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News


SAN ANTONIO – The man cheats.

Don't believe it? Just listen to what one of the most gifted offensive players in the NBA has to say about the Weapon of Mass Reduction – also known as San Antonio defensive whiz Bruce Bowen."He kicks, he trips, he does everything," says Detroit's Rip Hamilton. "He gets away with all types of cheap shots and things like that.

"But I tell people, 'If the refs allow you to get away with it, then it's good D.' "

Tonight, Bowen will be trying to get away with it again against Dirk Nowitzki – taking away drives, bodying up and stepping under the Mavericks' MVP candidate whenever he takes a jumper.

It's what Bowen does. As one of the best face-up defenders in the league, the 6-7 forward aggravates his opponents like nobody else in the game. Even Sacramento's Ron Artest, considered Bowen's only equal when it comes to one-on-one defense, doesn't tick off offensive players like Bowen.

"He's a defensive specialist," says Mario Elie, who has played with and against Bowen and has coached him – and against him – as well. "His job is to go out there and guard the best player. And he does a good job of it. Him and Artest are two of the best one-on-one defenders in the league. You tell them to go guard Kobe [Bryant] and they're the two guys who will take that challenge.

"He'll grab and hold like everybody else. Everybody cheats a little bit. All the great defenders do that. When you get a reputation around the league, you get away with stuff because you're a great defender."

The Mavericks have seen Bowen's tactics up close and personal. He held Nowitzki to 14 points Dec. 1 when the Spurs won at American Airlines Center. Nowitzki was only 6-of-15 from the field in the Mavs' loss at San Antonio last month.

Nowitzki said Bowen plays him as well as anybody. But he doesn't think it's necessarily because of Bowen's one-on-one skills.

"But San Antonio overall is a better defensive team," Nowitzki said. "It helps having Tim Duncan and Nazr Mohammed in your back pocket protecting you. That's not to take anything away from Bowen. He takes a lot of things away from you."

The Mavericks picture Adrian Griffin as a poor man's Bowen. He doesn't get any offensive plays called for him. But when healthy, he's a starter on a team headed for 60 wins. Bowen has limited offensive skills, too. The only fear factor he instills is when he spots up in the corner for 3-point shots.

"He has his niche," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. "Defensively, he's got that quick first step. He can take away that first move. And most times defensively, people get beat off the first move."

Nowitzki said it hasn't gotten to the point that Bowen gets under his skin. But there is no doubt that the job Bowen does against him is among the best, if not the best.

That said, he's had some huge games against the Spurs, including 38 points in Game 1 of the 2003 Western Conference finals. Bending the rules is part of the game.

"He's a hard-nosed defender," Nowitzki said. "There are great defenders that get away with a little more – the Artests, the Bowens. But they worked hard for that reputation, so you have to give them credit."

Bowen's abilities on offense (7.8 points per game) aren't what got him invited to training camp for the U.S. Olympic team. His defensive attitude clearly is recognized throughout the league.

He faced Bryant and the Lakers three times in March. And before the last meeting, Bryant caught Bowen before the game and congratulated him – prematurely – on being the league's defensive player of the year.

That's an honor usually reserved for centers. But it may be awarded to Bowen this year.

Even so, it's still Nowitzki's responsibility to be the aggressor.

"You have great offensive players in this league who don't let anything bother them," coach Avery Johnson says. "Even when I played, you had supposedly great point guard defenders and they were supposed to get under your skin with their growl or their stare or how they would grab or hold you. There are things you can do on the court to try to take care of that. I've participated in that kind of stuff before. Just be physical."

And don't get frustrated if rules get bent or broken.

[Trainwreck2100]

."He kicks, he trips, he does everything," says Detroit's Rip Hamilton. "He gets away with all types of cheap shots and things like that.

Pussy

[TDMVPDPOY]

RIP CAN SUCK MY LEFT NUTT, all these guyz who are complainin about bowens defense, then whats there definition of defense then? dont defend and let you have the open court to drive or shoot, thats not defense. Most of these guyz that complain probaly dont even know how to play defense.

[SpursWoman]

Pussy



"But I tell people, 'If the refs allow you to get away with it, then it's good D.' "


That was his way of saying he does it, too. :lol

[boutons_]

"It helps having Tim Duncan and Nazr Mohammed in your back pocket protecting you."

Nazr protects something?? The Spurs paint?? :lol :lol :lol :lol

Duncan has played defense this season??

[genghisrex]

There are great defenders that get away with a little more – the Artests, the Bowens. But they worked hard for that reputation, so you have to give them credit.
:tu

[SAGambler]

Didn't Rip just get up on TV last night and say he "got away with one"? I think it was a flop he was refering to at a critical juncture of the game last night.

[polandprzem]

Bowen gets away wit a lot.

Last time he get away with championship ring.

[TDMVPDPOY]

bowen plays physical defense, nothin wroung with that, that shit was played in the mid 1980s-1995, lets get physical.

so in todays league, look at all those atheletic rip/muscular guyz, all that muscle and they are afraid of a little bit of contact. a bunch of pansy guyz go play in the wnba

[50 cent]

Good article.

Props to Dirk even though I can't stand him for not being a Barbie Doll.

[zocool16]

Bowen gets away wit a lot.

Last time he get away with championship ring.

lol that's funny.

[v2000]

RIP CAN SUCK MY LEFT NUTT, all these guyz who are complainin about bowens defense, then whats there definition of defense then? dont defend and let you have the open court to drive or shoot, thats not defense. Most of these guyz that complain probaly dont even know how to play defense.
yes, kicking people in the face, elbowing their stomachs, and purposely tripping people is wonderful defense. didnt he once hit Kobe or someone in the balls? that was probably the best defensive play ive ever seen.

Bowen is a wonderful defender, but honestly, he does get away with quite a bit. any non-homer spurs fan would and does admit that. and there is no question that having Duncan in the backcourt lets him play tighter on his man. without Duncan back there, he would not be able to guard guys like Kobe and Lebron, who are MUCH faster than him, the way he does. he would not be able to play NEARLY as tight unless he had Duncan back there. dont get me wrong, he is still a great defender, and would still find a way to hassle them, but it wouldnt be as effective if it werent for Duncan.

[RON ARTEST]

yes, kicking people in the face, elbowing their stomachs, and purposely tripping people is wonderful defense. didnt he once hit Kobe or someone in the balls? that was probably the best defensive play ive ever seen.

Bowen is a wonderful defender, but honestly, he does get away with quite a bit. any non-homer spurs fan would and does admit that. and there is no question that having Duncan in the backcourt lets him play tighter on his man. without Duncan back there, he would not be able to guard guys like Kobe and Lebron, who are MUCH faster than him, the way he does. he would not be able to play NEARLY as tight unless he had Duncan back there. dont get me wrong, he is still a great defender, and would still find a way to hassle them, but it wouldnt be as effective if it werent for Duncan. thats why artest is a better defender. he doesnt have to do all that extra crap that bowen does.

[SpursWoman]

RIP CAN SUCK MY LEFT NUTT, all these guyz who are complainin about bowens defense, then whats there definition of defense then? dont defend and let you have the open court to drive or shoot, thats not defense. Most of these guyz that complain probaly dont even know how to play defense.

Rip wasn't complaining. Or was there another reason you'd like him to suck your left nut?

[v2000]

thats why artest is a better defender. he doesnt have to do all that extra crap that bowen does.
yea. Artest has his dirty tricks too, but he doesnt kick people in the face. although i do remember him pulling Paul Pierces shorts down... that was flat out funny. Artest doesnt do stuff that could injure people, which is why i like him much better. im still pissed that Cuban didnt pursue him. if we had artest, we probably would have 60 wins by now. the day i saw he got traded, i was just like "yup, the kings are gunna make the playoffs now". Artest is one hell of a player, probably one of the 5 most well rounded players in the NBA today. he can do it all.

[Kori Ellis]

thats why artest is a better defender. he doesnt have to do all that extra crap that bowen does.


Artest doesnt do stuff that could injure people, which is why i like him much better.

Holy cow. Have you all ever watched Artest?

Did you see the playoff series where he was getting blown by over and over, so he just clotheslined the player in the throat as he was going down the lane and got a flagrant?

He's a very good defender. Bowen and Artest are the top perimeter defenders in the league. But don't paint Artest into a guy who isn't a little dirty.

All good defenders are on the edge of dirty. They do as much as they can get away with.

[v2000]

Holy cow. Have you all ever watched Artest?

Did you see the playoff series where he was getting blown by over and over, so he just clotheslined the player in the throat as he was going down the lane and got a flagrant?

He's a very good defender. Bowen and Artest are the top perimeter defenders in the league. But don't paint Artest into a guy who isn't a little dirty.

All good defenders are on the edge of dirty. They do as much as they can get away with.
thats a bit exaggerated. yea, Artest does that dirty stuff, i admitted that... but only when he needs to make a statement play. not like bowen, trying to trip people on almost every play, or constantly undercutting people as they go up for shots and rebounds.

second of all, Artest has a mental issue (i think its some sort of chemical imbalance) as we know, and loses his temper from time to time without trying or meaning to. Bowen is in perfect control of himself, and does stuff purposely. dont tell me that he just happened to jump, and "accidentally" put his foot in an opposing players face, or that his foot just "slipped" and hit Ray Allen in the back. or that his elbow just "happened" to duck down and smash Finley right in the stomach. he did those things purposely. he knows what he is doing.

dont get me wrong, i admire his defensive intensity, and would LOVE for someone to bring that kind of intensity to the Mavs (which is why Cuban should have gotten Artest) but he (Bowen) takes it too far too often.

[T Park]

kicking people in the face

Link to when he did that on purpose?


dont tell me that he just happened to jump, and "accidentally" put his foot in an opposing players face

The shooter upfaked and he fell for it.

Of course thats defense.

Something a Mavericks fan would be ignorant to.


but he (Bowen) takes it too far too often.

Ask Kobe Bryant what he thinks of him.

Dwayne Wade too.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

i dont get why rip bitches and whines about Bowen when he does all kinds of tricks and "crafty" shit on the court. it may be different from what Bowen does but you can't tell me Rip doesn't bend the rules like his hero reggie miller

[SpursWoman]

i dont get why rip bitches and whines about Bowen when he does all kinds of tricks and "crafty" shit on the court. it may be different from what Bowen does but you can't tell me Rip doesn't bend the rules like his hero reggie miller



"But I tell people, 'If the refs allow you to get away with it, then it's good D.' "

That doesn't sound like bitching, that sounds like justifying. Because they all do it ... and if they get away with it then they do it even more.

[v2000]

Link to when he did that on purpose?



The shooter upfaked and he fell for it.

Of course thats defense.

Something a Mavericks fan would be ignorant to.



Ask Kobe Bryant what he thinks of him.

Dwayne Wade too.
well, why the hell is he jumping with his foot fully extended at the opponents face??? yea, sure, thats just a complete "accident". i have NEVER seen someone run after an opponent with a wide open jumpshot, and lead with their foot going toward their face. its called COMMON SENSE, you fuckin moron. anyone with half a damn brain in their head knows that no one jumps, leading with their foot aimed right at the opponents face.

watch the video... you will see that once Wally backed off from the fake, Bowen led with his foot, right into is face. DO NOT tell me that was an accident, considering he shouldnt have even led with his foot in the first place.

talk about ignorance...

[T Park]

talk about jealousy :lmao


don't touch yourself when you post hothead.

[v2000]

i dont get why rip bitches and whines about Bowen when he does all kinds of tricks and "crafty" shit on the court. it may be different from what Bowen does but you can't tell me Rip doesn't bend the rules like his hero reggie miller
yea, i hate it when players stick their legs out and kick people during their jumpshots to draw fouls. Reggie used to piss the crap out of me when he did that. its a smart way to bend the rules, but its still cheap and dirty as hell. speaking of which, i think your boy Manu probably does that more than ANYONE in the NBA. i thought it was hilarious when he tried to do that against Denver, missed the kick, and ended up airballing. he and Bowen did stuff like that at least 4 or 5 times, and missed each shot quite badly.

i completely understand why players bend the rules like that, and ALL player do their such things, but Bowen just bugs me more than others, because some of the stuff he does can seriously harm people.

[T Park]

but Bowen just bugs me more than others, because some of the stuff he does can seriously harm people.

Damn,

someone needs their pampers changed.

[v2000]

talk about jealousy :lmao


don't touch yourself when you post hothead.
lame response... shows your lack of simple knowledge, as well as your lack of basketball knowledge, when all you do is reply with an insult. have a good day.

[v2000]

Damn,

someone needs their pampers changed.
ok, why dont you try and respond with some sort of brains in your post? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T.

next...

[T Park]

when all you do is reply with an insult

lol

pot kettle


ok, why dont you try and respond with some sort of brains in your post? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T.

next


You first...

[v2000]

lol

pot kettle




You first...
LOL

have a nice day kiddo.

[JamStone]

RIP CAN SUCK MY LEFT NUTT, all these guyz who are complainin about bowens defense, then whats there definition of defense then? dont defend and let you have the open court to drive or shoot, thats not defense. Most of these guyz that complain probaly dont even know how to play defense.


Even though it's somewhat of a back-handed compliment, I think Rip believes what he is saying. And, in a way, I think Rip is commending Bruce for the way he plays.

And, yes, Rip cheats a lot too. This season in particular, Rip has been clutching and grabbing a lot more on defense. He flops trying to get fouls called in his favor. He pushes defenders off in order to help himself get open on offense.

I think Rip was paying Bruce a compliment in much the way he did Reggie last night when he said he got away with a little bit of a flop against Wade, just like Reggie used to do.

In professional sports, these athletes are some of the most competitive personalities in the world. They wouldn't be where they are if they weren't. And, when you are talking about the best basketball players in the world, you would be hard-pressed to find any of the greats who don't try to bend the rules at least a little bit to get a competitive edge. It's the nature of competition. And, Bruce doing what he does is great at it. Rip cheats all the time. I don't think he would outright deny that. I don't know why Spurs fans are angry that someone would point out that Bruce does it too. That's why Bruce is so good at defense.

[weebo]

If these athletes can't take a little "dirty" basketball, then maybe they should take up shuffle board. And if there's anyone to blame for this, its the damn media. They are the ones perpetuating this "Bowen is a dirty player" nonsense.

[weebo]

Even though it's somewhat of a back-handed compliment, I think Rip believes what he is saying. And, in a way, I think Rip is commending Bruce for the way he plays.

And, yes, Rip cheats a lot too. This season in particular, Rip has been clutching and grabbing a lot more on defense. He flops trying to get fouls called in his favor. He pushes defenders off in order to help himself get open on offense.

I think Rip was paying Bruce a compliment in much the way he did Reggie last night when he said he got away with a little bit of a flop against Wade, just like Reggie used to do.

In professional sports, these athletes are some of the most competitive personalities in the world. They wouldn't be where they are if they weren't. And, when you are talking about the best basketball players in the world, you would be hard-pressed to find any of the greats who don't try to bend the rules at least a little bit to get a competitive edge. It's the nature of competition. And, Bruce doing what he does is great at it. Rip cheats all the time. I don't think he would outright deny that. I don't know why Spurs fans are angry that someone would point out that Bruce does it too. That's why Bruce is so good at defense.


People around here get upset because bozos in the media seem to have it out for Bowen. They go out of their way to write articles about if for crying out loud! You rarely here about any other defensive minded player get slapped with "dirty" lables.

[JamStone]

Raja Bell gets called dirty. Miami and Cleveland fans say that Rasheed is a dirty player. Kobe has been called dirty before. Kenyon Martin had a big reputation for giving dirty fouls. Danny Fortson's only role in the NBA is to be dirty.

Bruce Bowen gets more pub than any of those players for "being dirty" because he has been the most successful in using those "dirty" tactics in stopping prolific scorers. When a player is the best at what he does, he will get not only the most recognition but the most criticism. That's life.

Oh, and by the way, Rip Hamilton is very dirty on the basketball court. And, I'm a Pistons fan.

Do most Spurs fans think Bruce Bowen is not dirty?

[T Park]

Raja Bell punching people from behind IMO is dirty yes.


Do most Spurs fans think Bruce Bowen is not dirty

Id say hes crafty.

Hes annoying.

But he doesn't intentionally try to hurt people like morons like the Maverick fans imply.

Neither does Rip Hamilton.

[JamStone]

Good point, T Park.

I guess it depends on your definition of "dirty." Mine doesn't include "intentionally trying to hurt people."

I think clutching, grabbing, holding, head butts, tripping, flopping, elbowing are all under the category "dirty" even if they are not done intended to hurt someone.

It's dirty, but not intentionally trying to hurt someone.

[T Park]

head butts, tripping, elbowing

Thats dirty too yes.

Clutching grabbing and holding?

If you get away with it, its crafty, not dirty!!! :)

[JamStone]

But, I've seen Bruce head butt, trip, and elbow.

[T Park]

Trip? unintentionally.

Elbowing IMO, not VICIOUSLY, but coming around a pick and what not, something to slow someone down.

Not Kevin Willis on Scott Williams.

I've never seen Bowen headbutt anyone, youd have to link me to a picture to prove that.