Kori Ellis
01-06-2005, 01:45 AM
Bowen rewards Spurs' faith with offensive breakthrough
Web Posted: 01/06/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010605.1C.BKNspurs.pacers.advance.7b7526f0.htm l
It was a little more than a minute into Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and the ball had just swung to Bruce Bowen on the right wing. Bowen set his feet and calmly buried the textbook-perfect jump shot.
Had Bowen attempted the same shot as recently as two seasons ago — had he even thought to attempt the shot — he likely would have heard a rumbling from the direction of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich followed by an ear-splitting, "Bruuuuuuuuce!"
Bowen has heard his name called more frequently this season, though rarely in the form of a stern rebuke by Popovich. Instead, his shots increasingly have warranted warmer recognition from Stan Kelly, the Spurs' longtime public-address announcer.
Bowen's name was on the tip of Kelly's tongue Tuesday when he made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points, his career-high in a regular-season game.
The most surprising part of Bowen's performance was that it wasn't all that surprising. He has scored at least 20 points three times since Nov. 13, the same number of 20-point games Manu Ginobili has in that time.
For the season, Bowen's scoring average has improved to a career-high 8.2 points per game — a noticeable increase for a player routinely described as a defensive specialist.
"First and foremost, it's always going to be about defense with me," said Bowen, who had only three 20-point games in 466 games before this season. "That's what they have me here for. I understand that and have no qualms with that because I enjoy it, and it's why I'm on the court.
"But when you're on the court there's a possibility of anything happening."
Such as Tuesday. The Lakers sagged their defense, often leaving Bowen alone. So, he took 19 shots, 10 more than Tim Duncan and usually a week's worth for himself.
Bowen does not have the green light to shoot whenever he pleases; yellow is about as good as it's going to get for him. But on those nights when he has produced points, the Spurs usually have benefited.
In the team's 26 victories, Bowen has averaged 9.1 points on 45.6 percent shooting. In the seven losses, he has averaged 5.1 points on 28.9 percent shooting.
"A lot of it," Bowen said, "is me being able to win the confidence of the coaches."
Popovich still holds his breath when Bowen gets the ball on the break. And as recently as Sunday, Bowen missed 7 of 8 shots. But he also has more freedom than he did when he joined the Spurs three seasons ago.
Then, Bowen rarely was encouraged to shoot from anywhere but the corners.
After leading the NBA in 3-point shooting in the 2002-03 season, Bowen began to develop a dribble pull-up to counter defenders closing on him. The shot, though inconsistent, is improving. Of late, he has been far more dependable at making mid-range jump shots at the elbows of the lane. He's also finishing off the break better.
"To me, it's no great surprise that he's continued to improve because he puts in an honest day's work," said Brett Brown, the Spurs' director of player development. "He is meticulous in his preparation."
Now 33 and about six months into marriage, Bowen continues to rise early to get in a workout before the team's practice. If practice is at 11a.m., Bowen is there at 10. If shootaround is at 10 a.m., he's there at 9.
Bowen doesn't change his routine much. He and Brown will work on one-dribble pull-ups. Then two-dribble pull-ups. Then 3-pointers. At some point, he'll find time to practice his free-throw shooting, which has improved to 65.1 percent this season.
"I can't tell you how valuable it is to have our young guys come in here an hour before practice and see that sucker with his shirt already drenched," Brown said. "That's a statement about what it takes to improve."
Bowen rarely has any plays run for him. Most of his shots come out of the team's motion or defenders simply leaving him to double-team Duncan.
Still, a shot is a shot. Even for a defensive specialist.
"You may not do some things well, but you can work at them to get better," Bowen said. "That's been my whole process since I've been here: continue to get better."
Injury update: Brent Barry missed practice Wednesday with flulike symptoms. He will be re-evaluated today.
Robert Horry's right eye remained a little puffy one day after he was inadvertently hit in the face by Lakers forward Lamar Odom.
"It hurts a little bit," Horry said, "but I'll be all right."
Payday: Popovich surprised Mike Wilks and Romain Sato after Wednesday's practice when he told them in front of the team that their contracts had been guaranteed for the rest of the season.
To avoid having the contracts guaranteed, the Spurs would have had to cut Wilks and Sato by Wednesday so they could clear waivers by Friday.
Web Posted: 01/06/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010605.1C.BKNspurs.pacers.advance.7b7526f0.htm l
It was a little more than a minute into Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and the ball had just swung to Bruce Bowen on the right wing. Bowen set his feet and calmly buried the textbook-perfect jump shot.
Had Bowen attempted the same shot as recently as two seasons ago — had he even thought to attempt the shot — he likely would have heard a rumbling from the direction of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich followed by an ear-splitting, "Bruuuuuuuuce!"
Bowen has heard his name called more frequently this season, though rarely in the form of a stern rebuke by Popovich. Instead, his shots increasingly have warranted warmer recognition from Stan Kelly, the Spurs' longtime public-address announcer.
Bowen's name was on the tip of Kelly's tongue Tuesday when he made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points, his career-high in a regular-season game.
The most surprising part of Bowen's performance was that it wasn't all that surprising. He has scored at least 20 points three times since Nov. 13, the same number of 20-point games Manu Ginobili has in that time.
For the season, Bowen's scoring average has improved to a career-high 8.2 points per game — a noticeable increase for a player routinely described as a defensive specialist.
"First and foremost, it's always going to be about defense with me," said Bowen, who had only three 20-point games in 466 games before this season. "That's what they have me here for. I understand that and have no qualms with that because I enjoy it, and it's why I'm on the court.
"But when you're on the court there's a possibility of anything happening."
Such as Tuesday. The Lakers sagged their defense, often leaving Bowen alone. So, he took 19 shots, 10 more than Tim Duncan and usually a week's worth for himself.
Bowen does not have the green light to shoot whenever he pleases; yellow is about as good as it's going to get for him. But on those nights when he has produced points, the Spurs usually have benefited.
In the team's 26 victories, Bowen has averaged 9.1 points on 45.6 percent shooting. In the seven losses, he has averaged 5.1 points on 28.9 percent shooting.
"A lot of it," Bowen said, "is me being able to win the confidence of the coaches."
Popovich still holds his breath when Bowen gets the ball on the break. And as recently as Sunday, Bowen missed 7 of 8 shots. But he also has more freedom than he did when he joined the Spurs three seasons ago.
Then, Bowen rarely was encouraged to shoot from anywhere but the corners.
After leading the NBA in 3-point shooting in the 2002-03 season, Bowen began to develop a dribble pull-up to counter defenders closing on him. The shot, though inconsistent, is improving. Of late, he has been far more dependable at making mid-range jump shots at the elbows of the lane. He's also finishing off the break better.
"To me, it's no great surprise that he's continued to improve because he puts in an honest day's work," said Brett Brown, the Spurs' director of player development. "He is meticulous in his preparation."
Now 33 and about six months into marriage, Bowen continues to rise early to get in a workout before the team's practice. If practice is at 11a.m., Bowen is there at 10. If shootaround is at 10 a.m., he's there at 9.
Bowen doesn't change his routine much. He and Brown will work on one-dribble pull-ups. Then two-dribble pull-ups. Then 3-pointers. At some point, he'll find time to practice his free-throw shooting, which has improved to 65.1 percent this season.
"I can't tell you how valuable it is to have our young guys come in here an hour before practice and see that sucker with his shirt already drenched," Brown said. "That's a statement about what it takes to improve."
Bowen rarely has any plays run for him. Most of his shots come out of the team's motion or defenders simply leaving him to double-team Duncan.
Still, a shot is a shot. Even for a defensive specialist.
"You may not do some things well, but you can work at them to get better," Bowen said. "That's been my whole process since I've been here: continue to get better."
Injury update: Brent Barry missed practice Wednesday with flulike symptoms. He will be re-evaluated today.
Robert Horry's right eye remained a little puffy one day after he was inadvertently hit in the face by Lakers forward Lamar Odom.
"It hurts a little bit," Horry said, "but I'll be all right."
Payday: Popovich surprised Mike Wilks and Romain Sato after Wednesday's practice when he told them in front of the team that their contracts had been guaranteed for the rest of the season.
To avoid having the contracts guaranteed, the Spurs would have had to cut Wilks and Sato by Wednesday so they could clear waivers by Friday.