Spurs Brazil
10-13-2007, 04:14 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/marty_burns/10/11/preseason.developments/1.html
Marty Burns - Preseason developments
Bruce almighty
It might have been just a little blip in the transactions column, but it was a significant move for San Antonio. Last Sunday, the Spurs signed small forward Bruce Bowen to a two-year contract extension worth a reported $4 million annually. The deal will keep the defensive specialist in San Antonio through the 2009-10 season.
Some might wonder if the 36-year-old Bowen will still be able to blanket foes in coming seasons, but Spurs insiders say he is an incredible physical specimen. Bowen has played in 436 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. He also happens to be the Spurs' all-time playoff leader in three-pointers made (134).
"I don't really see Bruce slowing down," said Cavs GM Danny Ferry, who played with Bowen and served as an assistant GM in San Antonio before moving on to Cleveland. "He's still one of the top three perimeter defenders in the league, without a doubt. He keeps himself in incredible shape and works hard. He's like a Dennis Rodman in terms of his mentality and his ability to focus so well on one thing."
Bowen's signing also brings added value that doesn't show up in the box score. His unselfishness and defensive intensity are trademarks of coach Gregg Popovich's system, making him in effect the poster child for the Spurs' way. Plus, it probably won't hurt those efforts to re-sign Tim Duncan to an extension before he can become a free agent in '08.
Marty Burns - Preseason developments
Bruce almighty
It might have been just a little blip in the transactions column, but it was a significant move for San Antonio. Last Sunday, the Spurs signed small forward Bruce Bowen to a two-year contract extension worth a reported $4 million annually. The deal will keep the defensive specialist in San Antonio through the 2009-10 season.
Some might wonder if the 36-year-old Bowen will still be able to blanket foes in coming seasons, but Spurs insiders say he is an incredible physical specimen. Bowen has played in 436 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. He also happens to be the Spurs' all-time playoff leader in three-pointers made (134).
"I don't really see Bruce slowing down," said Cavs GM Danny Ferry, who played with Bowen and served as an assistant GM in San Antonio before moving on to Cleveland. "He's still one of the top three perimeter defenders in the league, without a doubt. He keeps himself in incredible shape and works hard. He's like a Dennis Rodman in terms of his mentality and his ability to focus so well on one thing."
Bowen's signing also brings added value that doesn't show up in the box score. His unselfishness and defensive intensity are trademarks of coach Gregg Popovich's system, making him in effect the poster child for the Spurs' way. Plus, it probably won't hurt those efforts to re-sign Tim Duncan to an extension before he can become a free agent in '08.