Bowen makes Team USA cut

[Kori Ellis]

NEW: Bowen makes Team USA cut

Web Posted: 07/24/2006 07:42 PM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA072406.en.bowen.1d0204f0.html

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — It's off to Asia for Spurs forward Bruce Bowen.

After a week of training camp with the elite, 24-man Team USA cadre at UNLV here, Bowen was one of 15 payers chosen to participate in a continuation of training and a series of “friendly” games against international teams in China, Korea and Japan as a tune-up for the team's participation in the 2006 FIBA World Championships, scheduled for Aug. 19-Sept. 3 in Japan.

The 12-man team that will represent the United States will be selected from the 15-man roster that will head to Asia after an exhibition game against Puerto Rico's national team on Aug. 3 at Thomas and Mack Center here.

Team USA will travel to Guangzhou, China, for games against China and Lithuania. The team then will train in Seoul, Korea, for six days and play games against Lithuania and Korea while there. All 15 players will head to Japan for more training, and the 12-man roster is to be announced on Aug. 17.

While the roster for the Asian tour won't be formally announced until Tuesday, a source close to the selection committee said Bowen made the cut.

Bowen was something of a surprise addition to the Team USA roster, which is filled with All-Stars. His defensive capabilities and 3-point shooting proficiency earned him a spot in the elite camp, along with his maturity and leadership skills.

Bowen did not want to speculate on whether or not he would make the team headed to Asia, but said he was pleased with his performance in the training camp.

“I thought it went well,” said Bowen, one of only two players among the 24 camp invitees who was not selected in an NBA draft and one of only four NBA invitees who has not been an All-Star. “It was different to have some of the All-Stars I had on my team at times. Here, I had an All-Star on the wing, two All-Stars down low and a Rookie of the Year at the point. So that was really impressive as I look back on it.

“It was definitely high-energy, high-level for the full duration of every practice. It's not just one day, and that's that.”

Bowen said he shot well until the final day of drills, when he said fatigue seemed to affect a lot of players after six straight days of high-intensity drills and scrimmages.

“I absolutely did what I wanted to this week,” he said. “I didn't come here trying to do anything different. I feel I did the things I'm capable of doing, and then some. I feel real good about the week I had here.”

[CubanMustGo]

:tu BRUUUUUUUUCE!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

:worthy:

[Kori Ellis]

This first cut isn't as interesting to me as the cut from 15 to 12. I think Bowen makes the 12. I'm just interested in which three of the 15 won't.

Congrats to Bruce.

[SilverPlayer]

So bad ass for him....Go show 'em how it's doen Bruce. You deserved this.

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Congrats Bruuuuuuuuce!

[timvp]

Props. :tu

Go bring home the gold or whatever you get from winning this thing.

[Solid D]

What are the injury substitution rules for the FIBA WCs?

[Spurologist]

Defensive Domination = Bruce Bowen

[reydawg]

I can't wait to see Bowen roll his eyes and then sit on the scorer's table after drawing a foul on a Manu flop.

[Solid D]

:lol I can just picture that from your description. Good one.

[LakerHater]

Wait, how many were invited?

[lilmads]

Yay Bowen!:)

[Kori Ellis]

Wait, how many were invited?

24 to begin with, I believe.

But some are out injured, etc.

They are cutting to 15, then to 12.

[LakerHater]

so who were the 9 that were left off?

[Kori Ellis]

so who were the 9 that were left off?

The list of 15 is being released tomorrow morning.

[LakerHater]

so the 24 to 15 were due to injuries?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Marion's supposedly out with a bum knee. Already bad news for my fantasy team :pctoss

[spurs=bling]

way to go Bruce.

[Kori Ellis]

so the 24 to 15 were due to injuries?

No.

Here's the original 24 ...

Anthony
Arenas
Battier
Bosh
Bowen
Bryant
Brand
Hinrich
Howard
James
Jamison
Johnson
Marion
Miller
Morrison
Odom
Paul
Pierce
Redd
Redick
Ridnour
Stoudemire
Wade

Redick is out with injury. Odom, Redd, Pierce, and Billups are out for personal reasons. I heard Kobe is being included in the 15 but won't play (I don't know if that's true). Most people say Amare isn't going to make it even though he's been at the tryouts/workouts. -- So that's six or seven that likely aren't in the fifteen. You have to cut two or three more to get to 15. Then another three more to get to the final 12.

[ChumpDumper]

I think Bowen is there partially to shame some of the other guys into getting into better shape.

[T-Pain]

i think hes gonna be in the final 12 if they say they want more "role players" rather than a complete list of superstars.

[BruceBowenFan]

Lets Go Bruce Lets Go congrats

[Phenomanul]

I can't wait to see Bowen roll his eyes and then sit on the scorer's table after drawing a foul on a Manu flop.


You forgot to add, "then Manu coyfully smirks after sinking in his second free throw.''

[pussyface]

bowen could help the team i guess.
god hes so one dimensional though.

[kobe_bryant]

I always liked defense of Bowen. He the best in the nba league. I want to play too

[goliath]

Don Harris said on the news that sources say Bowen has not only made the top 15 but made the top 12. He also said Marion, Ridnour, and Morrison were the three cut.

[thekingrobert]

Psp...hellz Yea

[MannyIsGod]

Bowen is a lock to make the team.

[Louis]

No.

Here's the original 24 ...

Anthony
Arenas
Battier
Bosh
Bowen
Bryant
Brand
Hinrich
Howard
James
Jamison
Johnson
Marion
Miller
Morrison
Odom
Paul
Pierce
Redd
Redick
Ridnour
Stoudemire
Wade

Redick is out with injury. Odom, Redd, Pierce, and Billups are out for personal reasons. I heard Kobe is being included in the 15 but won't play (I don't know if that's true). Most people say Amare isn't going to make it even though he's been at the tryouts/workouts. -- So that's six or seven that likely aren't in the fifteen. You have to cut two or three more to get to 15. Then another three more to get to the final 12.

This team ain't winning the Gold...

[Mavs<Spurs]

This team ain't winning the Gold...
This is a team they are putting together, not an all star list. Athletic with Bosh and Howard, Wade and LeBron. You got stoppers in Bruce, Battier. Maturity and leadership in Bruce, Battier, . You've got shooters (Kobe if he plays, Wade can shoot if people didn't know as can LeBron).
scorers (Morrison, Arenas, ). Great Rebounding team (Howard, LeBron, Wade). Great passer and floor leader in LeBron. Versatile big men who can guard out on the perimeter (Bosh, Howard, LeBron). Score all day in the post with Elton Brand. Shotblocking (Brand)
Transition baskets, well it's all you can eat time with LeBron and Wade and Howard and Bosh running...

Yeah, it's all right here!!!

I'm sorry but Manu and Nocioni and Oberto and Scola can't compete with that. Bruce > Manu. They're outgunned, daddyo.


And Coach K is going to use them right.

Look, LeBron and Wade are not going home without the gold.
That's just a fact. Neither is Coach K.

The question is how badly will they beat the rest of the field? By fifty? By a hundred? We know they will beat them, but will they embarass the rest of them. Here style points will count. It won't be pretty and it will be a beat down. These guys are humble, mature and unselfish. It's a different approach and a different mentality and a different group of guys. That will make a world of difference.


:elephant :elephant :elephant

[Mavs<Spurs]

They're going go get the cookies on the top shelf where all the good stuff is.


Some of those other team's players are gonna be on our posters. We might be nice enough to sign them afterwards.

[Mavs<Spurs]

We should be named the Vampires because we're out for blood.

[Tek_XX]

Will Bowen get to play in the Olympics?

[Mavs<Spurs]

Will Bowen get to play in the Olympics?

Best guess to me is that it will depend upon matchups and if there is a small forward or big guard that we need to shut down (e.g. Manu).

If we need lots of points from that position or something else, he may not play quite as much.

In a close game in the fourth, if the other team had a good shooting guard/small forward, I think Coach K would play him (as would we).

Perhaps he will avg 15 mpg.

Just a guess.

[TDMVPDPOY]

seriously i think we can legitimately tank this season, with bowen on national duties if he makes the cut, tp and gino will be at wc, beno....

[Kori Ellis]

The 15 are:

Carmelo Anthony
Gilbert Arenas
Shane Battier
Chris Bosh
Bruce Bowen
Elton Brand
Dwight Howard
LeBron James
Antawn Jamison
Joe Johnson
Brad Miller
Chris Paul
Amare Stoudemire
Dwyane Wade
Kirk Hinrich

What 3 would you cut to get to 12?

[TDMVPDPOY]

cp3, amare, jamison

[dimsah]

cp3, amare, jamison
You're going to cut the best pure point guard on the team?

Amare (because of the knee), Jamison, Hinrich.

[Kori Ellis]

Chris Paul is expected to start. So I doubt he's getting cut :lol

If Amare isn't healthy, then I'd say Amare, Jamison and Battier.
If Amare is healthy, then I'd say Miller, Jamison and Battier.

[SpursWillOwn]

jamison, amare and brad miller(dude sux)

[ObiwanGinobili]

The 15 are:



What 3 would you cut to get to 12?

amare, battier, miller.

[1Parker1]

Question: I don't remember, but how did Dwayne Wade do at the Olympics last time he played?

[1Parker1]

amare, battier, miller.

I'd cut the 3 that Harris supposedly said were cut. Marion, Ridnour, and Reddick. Or perhaps, instead of Marion I may cut Battier instead.

[50 cent]

Bruce is the man. :tu

[anakha]

I'd cut the 3 that Harris supposedly said were cut. Marion, Ridnour, and Reddick. Or perhaps, instead of Marion I may cut Battier instead.

Slight correction here...Marion, Ridnour, and Morrison(not Reddick), along with Billups (family concerns) were cut to get to the 15-man roster.

3 more players need to be 'cut' to get to the final 12-man roster.

With the lineup as it is, I'd have to say that battier and jamison would pretty much play redundant roles on the team and will probably be among the 3 reserves. The third man would be Amare if his knees don't hold up. If they do, Miller's out.

[angel_luv]

I knew he would do it! Way to go Bruce! Congrats! :)

[myhc]

Question: I don't remember, but how did Dwayne Wade do at the Olympics last time he played?

I remember he played more minutes than either Lebron or Carmelo combined but I think that was because we didn't have any back up point guards. Overall, I remember him missing a lot of open jumpers like the rest of our team but he was just a rookie. He should shine this go around.

If Amare is out, I cut Hinrich and Jamison. If Amare is in, I cut Miller and Hinrich/Jamison. Essentially I pick Battier over Jamison for his better defense.

[Kori Ellis]

To get everyone clear on what's happened so far ...

Twenty-four players were originally selected to tryout. Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick already bowed out in the last couple weeks due to injuries. Chauncey Billups, Lamar Odom and Michael Redd are out for personal reasons, knocking the candidates down to 18. They needed to get to 15 before leaving for Asia.

Therefore, the team made 3 cuts today -- Marion (because of his knee), Ridnour and Morrison.

On Aug 17, they'll cut 3 more of the remaining 15 I posted above to get to 12.

[DarkReign]

Bruce had better make the final 12. Absolutely has to.

[tlongII]

They must allow more hacking in International ball.

[NBAFAN001]

Bruce will be in the final 12. We need him to stop Ginobili when we play Argentina :D

[1Parker1]

It'll be interesting to note how Bruce's defense will hold up against International Rules. Duncan was quite pissed with the amount of foul trouble he got into last Olympics. I wonder if Bruce may face the same problem?

[velik_m]

Bruce played under FIBA rules before.

[abelle23]

congrats to bruce...team usa would really need a guy like him to win it all...i just hope bruce manu tony and beno wont get hurt...go brucieee!!!

[drivanroca]

:tu