Basketball: Bowen likely won't make U.S. club

[Kori Ellis]

Basketball: Bowen likely won't make U.S. club

Web Posted: 08/14/2006 02:21 AM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA081406.9D.BKO.bowen.17fcb63.html

With one exhibition game remaining for the United States before the start of the world championships, it appears increasingly likely Spurs forward Bruce Bowen won't be selected for the national team's active roster.

U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski brought 14 players to Asia for the team's warm-up games but must pare the roster to 12 before Saturday's opener in Japan. Bowen has totaled only 27 minutes, the fewest among the 14 players, in the team's four exhibitions.

After not playing at all against Brazil last week, Bowen had three rebounds and an assist in six minutes during Sunday's 111-88 victory over Lithuania. He is the only player on the team who hasn't scored, though he has taken just four shots, all 3-pointers.

Before Sunday's game, one USA Basketball official conceded Bowen would have a "difficult time" making the active roster. Though Bowen was named to the team to give the United States a strong perimeter defender, Houston's Shane Battier also could fill that role.

If Bowen isn't selected for the 12-man roster, he could still remain with the team and assist with game preparations.

The United States will play Korea on Tuesday in its final tune-up game.

[polandprzem]

Bowen is not a coach or a mentor so he will be cut.

Sorry Bruce but this is like it is. Get a rest and then prepare for the season

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Ohhh well, at least he can't get injured

[Kori Ellis]

Bowen is not a coach or a mentor so he will be cut.

What do you mean he's not a mentor?

[Sense]

What do you mean he's not a mentor?

He is a mentor!

Maybe that's why they want him sittin in the bench.. if he can't produce as well as expected, im pretty sure Coach K wouldn't mind having him there motivatin the team..

He's a veteran.. he is a mentor...
2 rings..

[polandprzem]

What do you mean he's not a mentor?


I think it is not his job there. Okay he was there and gave some guys an excample but that's it.

The usa squad needs ppl to play the games not talk IMO. So they probably will cut him saying we do not need another coach. And they know Bowen is not one and he won't majke decisions which could decide about the score.

We will see. But I think we ( spurs fans) want to think that he is so important to that team. IHMO he is not for Krzyrzewski and staff

[MannyIsGod]

Team USA is about to forget why they brought Bruce. They didn't bring him to be a mentor, they brought him in to play some shut down defense. They obviously forget how important that is. Whatever.

[mavsfan1000]

I totally disagree with Team USA on leaving Bowen off the list. He is a key to their defense and it's not like they don't have enough offense. Coach K needs to get off his high horse and realize that it is defense that is going to take USA to WC. Maybe they can win it without him but I just don't having 10 players that are offensive minded are needed.

[MannyIsGod]

I totally disagree with Team USA on leaving Bowen off the list. He is a key to their defense and it's not like they don't have enough offense. Coach K needs to get off his high horse and realize that it is defense that is going to take USA to WC. Maybe they can win it without him but I just don't having 10 players that are offensive minded are needed.Exactly. I don't understand what they gain by leaving him off. So you get another athlete to run up and down and throw down dunks. What, 11 isn't enough?

[sabar]

It's so redundant how much scoring they have.

[Sense]

Exactly. I don't understand what they gain by leaving him off. So you get another athlete to run up and down and throw down dunks. What, 11 isn't enough?

It's like the All Star team selections all over again...

[polandprzem]

It's like the All Star team selections all over again...

You would like to see the role players representing USA?

[dougp]

You would like to see the role players representing USA?
Stupid question - you will always need roleplayers. So what if Battier is a good defensive guy - you need more than one because he might get hurt. Like others said, you lose one offensive person but gain a lot back in the form of rebounding/defense/3pt shots.

[Dalamar_the_Dark]

Maybe coach K is giving Bowen more rest on Pop's request. U need to rest enough to play good defense. However, one would need to play more to get into an offensive rhythm.

[FromWayDowntown]

What was it that Pop called it after the Dallas series -- motivational fuel?

Bruce Bowen is about to top off his tank with motivational fuel.

[Gummi]

I have to say that I expected this from day one. Bruce IMO is a great team/role player for any NBA team, but for the US team I'm not so sure. If you look at the SF position, the team has Carmelo, LeBron, and most likely Battier, so they're pretty stacked at that position.

I think the player that are on the cut list are Jamison, Hinrich, and Bowen. Bruce is more then happy to have gotten this opportunity with the US squad. My heart wants Bruce to make the team even though it looks slim.

[zeleni]

I have to say that I expected this from day one. Bruce IMO is a great team/role player for any NBA team, but for the US team I'm not so sure. If you look at the SF position, the team has Carmelo, LeBron, and most likely Battier, so they're pretty stacked at that position.



Bowen could calm down Carmelo and LeBron just by being there. Both of them never achieved anything and a guy with a ring is sitting so they could play and win something for the USA. That humbles a person.

[polandprzem]

Stupid question - you will always need roleplayers. So what if Battier is a good defensive guy - you need more than one because he might get hurt. Like others said, you lose one offensive person but gain a lot back in the form of rebounding/defense/3pt shots.


How come? Bowen is not playing man, how can he be a threat?

[CharlieMac]

Let's just make sure the Duke alum makes the team I guess.

[cheguevara]

If Bowen isn't selected for the 12-man roster, he could still remain with the team and assist with game preparations.


waterboy?

[SpursWillOwn]

water and towel boy?

[Sense]

How come? Bowen is not playing man, how can he be a threat?

You've been posting very stupid stuff recently..

You seem to forget these are exhibition games..
Do you honestly think they are going to get everythin outta Bowen when they haven't even faced a team that needs his defensive skills? and again.. exhibition games...

And teams needs roleplayers or its another all star game.. i dont want a team full of all stars in the U.S. team...

It's a whole mess, and we all know that by now..

You seem to still want nothing BUT the best in the court at their position.. and in order to win that won't happen.

[angel_luv]

Bruce's veteran leadership and defense mindedness adds valuable dimension to the team. I think it would be a mistake to leave him off.

[angel_luv]

If Bruce does get cut, I hope Sho and Beno and Team Slovenia really make coach K pay for it. :)

[tlongII]

I've been saying this for weeks. Bowen brings nothing to this team that they are in need of. He should be ecstatic that he made it this far as that in itself was highly unexpected imo.

[mabber]

With Battier playing well they really don't need Bowen. I'd be happy if I were a Spur's fan. The guy is 35 years old...he needs to get some rest.

[K-State Spur]

Battier is a good defensive player, but since when has he been in Bowen's class?

When they are on the floor, Lebron, Carmelo, and Wade (and yes, I realize that they are wings like Bruce, but I would suspect that they won't all be on the floor at the same time for the majority of the games as well) are going to take the majority of the shots anyways. You need the guys playing next them to be effective players without the ball.

In terms of doing things that help the team that don't involve having the ball in his hands, Bruce is one of the best in the league.

[polandprzem]

You've been posting very stupid stuff recently..

You seem to forget these are exhibition games..



Yes I am but mostly for fun.

You telling me that when the turnament will start Bowen will get 25 minutes of playing time? And will be the ancor of the defense? A guy who will lead the team to victory?
No way. The exhibition games are made for the training and practicing in the game. When USA will be in trouble Bowen will come of the bench hit 16 3-pointers and win the game.

It won;'t happen.

Ofcourse Bowen is a good role player but I do not think this team needs him that much.

We'll see

[Fillmoe]

they will keep bowen..... who else will karate kick players in the face and try to injure them.....

[Please_dont_ban_me]

With Arenas out, how many cuts are left?

I was under the impression they had it down to 15. Then Amare bowed out, now Arenas...that should mean there's one cut left if it is to be a 12 man roster. Right? Cut Jamison and get it over with.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Yes I am but mostly for fun.

You telling me that when the turnament will start Bowen will get 25 minutes of playing time? And will be the ancor of the defense? A guy who will lead the team to victory?
No way. The exhibition games are made for the training and practicing in the game. When USA will be in trouble Bowen will come of the bench hit 16 3-pointers and win the game.

It won;'t happen.

Ofcourse Bowen is a good role player but I do not think this team needs him that much.

We'll see

The guy is a top 3 defender in the NBA every year.

That means he's a top 3 defender in the WORLD. You don't really need him against the Lithuania's and China's, but when you go up against an Argentina and some other world teams with guards who really have some nice game...you need a guy that can bother them.


You saw that in the Lithuania game a little bit, when K put him in to pressure the ball up court and (although not by itself, but it contribted to it) Lithuania not seemign to get in any rythm and bobbling bad passes and just looking confused as to what to do.


Miller is the guy who should be cut, I would cut him or Bosh. Neither has done much for me recently, but we need bigs...so it will be Jamison or Bowen. Hopefully Jamison.

[boutons_]

Bowen's perimeter defense is even less needed now that I've seen how the US boyz have been hustling their butts off on defense. Very impressive defensive effort against Lithuania. Chris Paul was right up his man, there were lots of steals and deflections by the US defense. I'm more impressed with their defense, and K's achivement to get these prima donna NBA players to hustle on defense, than their offense.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I can't wait to see the look on Coach K's face when the stars of the world get done lighting up Battier. Battier on Manu? :lmao

The only shitty thing about it is that USA will probably lose a game because of it, and miss out on the gold.

Then Colangelo and Coach K will point fingers everywhere but at themselves.

Battier can't guard shit in the way of good, athletic swingmen, but hey, Go Duke or something you dumbass sonuvabitch. Yeah I'm talking to you Coach K.

[T Park]

But Coach K knows NBA and basketball WAYYYY better than POP!!

Just ask any genius baskball analyst.

[Renu_]

That means he's a top 3 defender in the WORLD. You don't really need him against the Brazil's and China's, but when you go up against an Argentina and some other world teams with guards who really have some nice game...you need a guy that can bother them.


Brazil's?? You really know your basketball.. You'll see in the WC where China will finish and where Brazil, so you don't put them in the same basket any more

[mabber]

I can't wait to see the look on Coach K's face when the stars of the world get done lighting up Battier. Battier on Manu? :lmao

The only shitty thing about it is that USA will probably lose a game because of it, and miss out on the gold.

Then Colangelo and Coach K will point fingers everywhere but at themselves.

Battier can't guard shit in the way of good, athletic swingmen, but hey, Go Duke or something you dumbass sonuvabitch. Yeah I'm talking to you Coach K.

Looks to me like assistant, Mike D'Antoni has really influenced coach K a lot by the style they're playing. They're playing Phoenix style (up tempo) offense. At the same time, coach K does have them hustling on defense (unlike the Suns teams). D'Antoni is probably telling coach K that they don't need Bowen since he's not a scorer :lol

[spur219]

I am sorry. I like Bowen and his defense but he will be cut and if I was the USA coach I would cut Bowen as my first cut.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Brazil's?? You really know your basketball.. You'll see in the WC where China will finish and where Brazil, so you don't put them in the same basket any more

Slipped out of my mouth, I meant to say the two teams we killed...the Lithuania's and China's. Not Brazil, obviously...we barely beat them.

[Que Gee]

I've been saying this for weeks. Bowen brings nothing to this team that they are in need of. He should be ecstatic that he made it this far as that in itself was highly unexpected imo.

Totally agree. Not that I dislike Bowen, but overall if all these guys truly wanted to, they could all be the stoppers that Bowen is. Coach K is going to get that out of them this time around in the Worlds. Kudos for him getting this far, but overall, his shortcomings in the big picture, outweigh the value of him being a "stopper."

Everyone here is a big Spurs fans, and a big Bruce fan, but really come on people, your drowning in Kool Aid. Bowen isn't SO MUCH better a defensive player that it outweighs his liability of not being an all around player that most of these other guys are. Be happy that he was given a go and he made it this far, and be done with it.