Kori Ellis
01-18-2007, 02:24 AM
Spurs' Bowen sits, which costs team dearly
Web Posted: 01/18/2007 12:56 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011807.07C.BKNspurs.bowen.22485ad.html
When Brent Barry arched in a 3-point shot with 5.3 seconds left in Wednesday's Spurs-Lakers game at the AT&T Center, it sliced a five-point Lakers lead to two and made Bruce Bowen cringe just a little.
In that instant, Bowen knew his mental miscue at the start of the fourth quarter had cost the Spurs an opportunity to possibly tie the game with another 3-pointer, regardless of what the Lakers did at the foul line after an intentional Spurs foul.
Bowen thought he had been subbed out of the game at the end of the third quarter and did not take the court to start the fourth. In fact, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had not made a change at his position and thought Bowen would take the court to begin the final period.
"It's my fault," Bowen said. "Pop didn't sub me out, and that was that."
Fifteen seconds into the quarter, the referees called a technical foul when they realized only four Spurs were on the floor. Sasha Vujacic made the technical, giving the Lakers a 74-71 lead.
It might have seemed sporting of the Spurs to play four against five, but NBA rules require five players on the court for each team.
The mistake was critical after Barry's 3-pointer, and Bowen knew it. Instead of having to hope Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant would miss at least one of the two foul shots he was awarded with 4.9 seconds left, the Spurs would have had time to set up for a 3-pointer that could have sent the game to overtime.
Popovich said it was not a matter of miscommunication. Rather, it was a complete lack of communication.
"There was no communication," Popovich said. "There was only one change made. Tim Duncan came into the game."
Bowen had done an outstanding job of defending Bryant in the final 51/2 minutes, converting him from crunch-time scorer to set-up man. He blocked one of Bryant's passes to teammate Manu Ginobili to start a play that gave the Spurs their first lead of the fourth, at 91-90.
In the end, all Bowen could do was lament his mistake and rue the Spurs' erratic play at the start of the final period.
"Erratic play," Bowen said of the Spurs' 1-for-8 shooting and three turnovers in the first five minutes of the final period.
Bowen carped at referees Ed. F. Rush, Bill Kennedy and Pat Fraher about Bryant's use of his off arm to create space on his way to the basket.
"I thought he created a lot of stuff to the basket and was rewarded for that with a lot of 'and-ones' tonight," Bowen said, his lips pursed a bit. "It is tough for the guys who are trying to help out, realizing they've got to get in position real early, or halfway to where they can contest the shot."
Web Posted: 01/18/2007 12:56 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011807.07C.BKNspurs.bowen.22485ad.html
When Brent Barry arched in a 3-point shot with 5.3 seconds left in Wednesday's Spurs-Lakers game at the AT&T Center, it sliced a five-point Lakers lead to two and made Bruce Bowen cringe just a little.
In that instant, Bowen knew his mental miscue at the start of the fourth quarter had cost the Spurs an opportunity to possibly tie the game with another 3-pointer, regardless of what the Lakers did at the foul line after an intentional Spurs foul.
Bowen thought he had been subbed out of the game at the end of the third quarter and did not take the court to start the fourth. In fact, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had not made a change at his position and thought Bowen would take the court to begin the final period.
"It's my fault," Bowen said. "Pop didn't sub me out, and that was that."
Fifteen seconds into the quarter, the referees called a technical foul when they realized only four Spurs were on the floor. Sasha Vujacic made the technical, giving the Lakers a 74-71 lead.
It might have seemed sporting of the Spurs to play four against five, but NBA rules require five players on the court for each team.
The mistake was critical after Barry's 3-pointer, and Bowen knew it. Instead of having to hope Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant would miss at least one of the two foul shots he was awarded with 4.9 seconds left, the Spurs would have had time to set up for a 3-pointer that could have sent the game to overtime.
Popovich said it was not a matter of miscommunication. Rather, it was a complete lack of communication.
"There was no communication," Popovich said. "There was only one change made. Tim Duncan came into the game."
Bowen had done an outstanding job of defending Bryant in the final 51/2 minutes, converting him from crunch-time scorer to set-up man. He blocked one of Bryant's passes to teammate Manu Ginobili to start a play that gave the Spurs their first lead of the fourth, at 91-90.
In the end, all Bowen could do was lament his mistake and rue the Spurs' erratic play at the start of the final period.
"Erratic play," Bowen said of the Spurs' 1-for-8 shooting and three turnovers in the first five minutes of the final period.
Bowen carped at referees Ed. F. Rush, Bill Kennedy and Pat Fraher about Bryant's use of his off arm to create space on his way to the basket.
"I thought he created a lot of stuff to the basket and was rewarded for that with a lot of 'and-ones' tonight," Bowen said, his lips pursed a bit. "It is tough for the guys who are trying to help out, realizing they've got to get in position real early, or halfway to where they can contest the shot."