Does Bowen's jersey get retired and hung from the rafters?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pkbpkb81

ok i see your point let's take a.j.'s down

---

I felt that way back when his Jersey was retired, just look up my posts, it shouldnt have been done. But if his is up there, there is no WAY you dont retire Bruce's Jersey.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phyzik

fuck you assholes who think his jersey shouldnt be retired... FUCK. YOU.

---

if there's a ceremonyhttp://oblivio.com/media/motherfucker.jpg .Without Bruce we will still have 4 titles. Lets retire #34

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by El Jefe

Don't forget, Jordan's 23 is retired in Miami. If there were rules for this sort of thing, I'm pretty sure "Only players who have been on your roster" would be #1

---

I actually agree with Pat Riley on this one. He states that Jordan was so transcendent that his number should have been retired by every team, so he took that step and retired 23 in honor of Jordan.

One of the few problems I have with Lebron is that he wears 23 because of Jordan. I've done a complete 180 on Lebron since he's come into the league and feel that he should have a different number in the interest of starting his own legacy.

If Lebron were to be the greatest of all time, he'd do it wearing Jordan's number still.

However, let's say he wore 15 or something like that, how many kids for years to come would wear that 15 jersey in honor of the greatest of all time (should he achieve that many years down the line)?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FkLA

Which is why I clearly said in regards to titles...Bulls have 6 fyi.

---

I know, I actually saw them win all 6. However, as ESPN argued, the Spurs are the 3 greatest franchise because of the consistency shown over the years by the franchise.

The Bulls have a great 90s run and that's it. The Spurs have been very successful throughout the history of the franchise, save for the 80s teams.

Anyway, regardless of what you think or feel, Bowen was a major cog in the Spurs' championship teams, and his number will be retired.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FkLA

I only agree with AJs jersey retirement for the simple fact that it was the first title and it got the ball rolling...without that first title who knows how things play out. If AJ wouldve done what he did in any other title year I wouldnt be in favor of his jersey retirement because there's no disputing that he was an average player.

Bowen was great for us, but at the end of the day still a one-dimensional role player. Malike played a vital role in some of our other runs as well, that doesnt mean he should get his jersey retired.

I honeslty hope the Spurs dont decide to retire Bowen's jersey. It would completely cheapen the retirement of jerseys.

---

How about all the clutch 3's year after year. The smart play and ofcourse the D.

Gee, if you do that, then let's just add a bunch more good Spurs. Larry Kenon, Terry Cummings, Mike Mitchell were either the 2nd or 3rd best player on their teams. These guys were great players in their own rights, had great Spurs careers and averaged more points, rebounds, etc. than Bruce Bowen ever thought about. We didn't win the championships because of Bruce Bowen. We won them because of Tim freakin Duncan.

Ok so there are 2 types of posters in this thread:
- people who watch and understand what basketball is about and think Bowen's jersey should be retired
- others

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by will_spurs

Ok so there are 2 types of posters in this thread:
- people who watch and understand what basketball is about and think Bowen's jersey should be retired
- others

---

Others being lets use the Lakers criteria for retiring jerseys

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FkLA

AJ was the general of the 99' team homie, he was the point guard and ran the show...he wasnt just some 'scrub that hit a lucky shot'. With that said he was indeed an average player and I would be against his jersey retirement if it wasnt for the fact that he played a huge role in our very FIRST title. Winning the first title got the ball rolling for us, if we dont win that one who knows how things play out. The first of everything is usually very sentimental for everyone that is the only reason AJ's number is up there.

---

Wait, so you're ok with AJ's jersey being retired, but not with Bowen's? Surely I'm just misinterpreting something here.

And you keep bringing up Chicago not retiring Rodman or Kerr. I don't see how it's relevant to the argument. Nor Fisher with LA. Should the Spurs sit around and wait to see what Chicago or LA do before deciding how to honor any more of their own players? Do they need permission? (BTW I wouldn't see a problem with LA retiring Fish's number. I'm not sure they would, and I'll never forgive the little turd for .4, but it wouldn't be absurd to me if they went that route)

Every franchise is a little different. The Spurs valued teamwork, defense, and desire to win over statistics for many years. It won them 4 titles. I'd like to see them honor those values by raising Bowen's jersey. I understand you seem to think it's a little much, I just don't buy either the "it cheapens the gesture" argument, nor do I buy the slippery slope argument (Andrew Gaze, up to the rafters with you!) If the Spurs decide it's the appropriate response, then I'd love to be there that night to cheer Bowen one more time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by will_spurs

Ok so there are 2 types of posters in this thread:
- people who watch and understand what basketball is about and think Bowen's jersey should be retired
- others

---

True.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Da Spurs

Gee, if you do that, then let's just add a bunch more good Spurs. Larry Kenon, Terry Cummings, Mike Mitchell were either the 2nd or 3rd best player on their teams. These guys were great players in their own rights, had great Spurs careers and averaged more points, rebounds, etc. than Bruce Bowen ever thought about. We didn't win the championships because of Bruce Bowen. We won them because of Tim freakin Duncan.

---

Was Duncan the foundation of the championship teams? Of course, and that's why his jersey will be in the rafters the SECOND he's available to attend the ceremony.

But it's disingenuous to say he won them on his own. No one can, and if someone DID think he single handedly won titles, they don't understand how basketball is played.

The core of the 99 team (sans Duncan) is already up in the rafters. The core of 03, 05 and 07 are all still playing. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are given, and if anyone can conjure up a coherent argument for leaving the last two off, I'll be shocked.

There is one other player who played on all 3 teams, who started, logged 30+ minutes every night, who routinely did everything to win and stepped up time and time again in playoff situations. How anyone doesn't include Bowen in the core of those 3 title teams is beyond me.

The only Spur in danger of not having his number retired out of this group is Manu. Dude needs to turn in one more awesome 2005-style playoff run capped off with a championship and maybe even challenge for the Finals MVP again. Right now he's more famous for his bald spot than his game and that needs to change immediately.

Quote:

---

But it's disingenuous to say he won them on his own. No one can, and if someone DID think he single handedly won titles, they don't understand how basketball is played.

---

I never said he single handedly won titles. I said we won titles because of him. Take him off our team and we would have won ZERO FUCKING TITLES! Much like Chicago would have won ZERO FUCKING TITLES without MJ.

Sure you need a team and the big 3 are locks to be in the rafters. Bowen? Not so sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 50 cent

It fucking better after A.J.'s was retired.

---

Consider it done!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nathan Explosion

I know, I actually saw them win all 6. However, as ESPN argued, the Spurs are the 3 greatest franchise because of the consistency shown over the years by the franchise.

The Bulls have a great 90s run and that's it. The Spurs have been very successful throughout the history of the franchise, save for the 80s teams.

Anyway, regardless of what you think or feel, Bowen was a major cog in the Spurs' championship teams, and his number will be retired.

---

We had some good teams in the early eighties, 83 western conference finals team, after we traded the Iceman it went downhill for 5 years or so. Not bad for rebuilding till D Rob came to town.

I am on the fence on Bowen's jersey, I am leaning to no. There is definitely going to be 3 going to the rafters soon, but Avery makes it seem like the door is open. I kind of feel like it would Chicago retiring Kukoc's number, is it necessary?

I hope Bowen's jersey is hung in a way to box out our view of the Avery Johnson jersey.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by J.T.

The only Spur in danger of not having his number retired out of this group is Manu. Dude needs to turn in one more awesome 2005-style playoff run capped off with a championship and maybe even challenge for the Finals MVP again. Right now he's more famous for his bald spot than his game and that needs to change immediately.

---

That would be a first. To have a future Hall of Famer on your team who doesn't get his jersey retired.
:lol:lol:lol

And don't think he isn't a HOF'er with his international achievements as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by will_spurs

Ok so there are 2 types of posters in this thread:
- people who watch and understand what basketball is about and think Bowen's jersey should be retired
- others

---

Pretty much.

Anyone that discredits Bowen by bringing up stats loses spur fan status by default.

Those of you that keep justifying Avery because he hit the shot that sealed the first championship are ridiculous.

It was game fucking 5 and we were dominant that offseason. We weren't going to lose 3 games in a row.

Bowen's block on Billups' 3 late in Game 7 in 2005 was much more important than Avery's shot in game 5.

Avery was the career assist leader. It wasn't just the one shot. Of course, we were all used to him missing them.

http://www.gnr8.biz/images/blue_lock%20main.jpg

Bowen deserves to have his jersey retired period. And those few nonbelievers need to stop their bullshit about Bowen being a "role" player. Just because he wasn't an all-star player doesn't mean that he hasn't earned a jersey retirement. He was very important to the Spurs title run in 03. His defense on Kobe was superb. And remember the 6 3 pointers he made one game. No Bowen in 03 = Lakers 4peat. 05, Bowen completely harassed Ray Allen and Shawn Marion and did an excellent job against Rip. He did the clutch block on Billups. 07, Bowen made LeBron disappear. He also did great at defending Nash. Bruce has also done alot for the community. He is a true Spur at heart. Right now, so many Spurs fans want him back even if he's old as hell.

And fkla, you're an idiot if you think Avery deserves a jersey retirement over Bruce. So one winning shot > defense that lead to three titles. Btw, i think Elliott's shot did it for the Spurs in 99. Anyways, Tim, Manu, Tony, and Bruce all deserve a jersey retirement. If Bowen was just a "role" player, he would have been gone a long time ago. But he was worth so much that his jersey should be raised. No question.

Yes.

Nothing else to discuss

Bowen represented what the Spurs was about the last 8 years by working hard, playing the best perimeter defense in the league, and valuing teamwork.

To compare his contributions to those of Malik Rose, Steve Kerr and Dennis Rodman is absolutely retarded, and shows little to no understanding of basketball.

Bowen was more influential on the Spurs 3 championships than Avery Johnson was on the 99 title.