Harvey: Bruuuuce – opening farewell

[dtk]

It would be really tempting, if you hadn't watched the Spurs routinely through the years, to boil Bruce Bowen down to just a few "dirty plays" and think him unworthy of respect because of that.

It would be really hard to watch the Spurs routinely through the years and boil Bruce Bowen down to just a few dirty plays and it would be impossible, I think, to do anything other than respect the man.

I can see that

[TimDunkem]

i will be completely pissed if the Spurs don't do the right thing and bring him back. Bruce has almost as much to do with the Championships runs as Tim. yeah, i said it.

I don't think anyone would argue with you.

[manufor3]

dont go bruce!

[DPG21920]

it is one thing to lose it in a scuffle. It is an entirely different thing to kick someone in the face who is standing up...

You can find videos of just about anyone in the NBA getting in a scuffle. I've never seen anyone else jump into the air and kick another player in the face during play... twice

Kobe did it to Mo Williams I believe.

It is not an entirely different thing to punch someone in the balls?

[SA210]

Pop failed in the offense for defense switch experiment. I've been one of Pop's biggest supporters for years but if he cuts Bruce, I don't see how I can continue to prop the guy up.

Bruce Bowen -to me- has always been the "backbone" of this Spurs team. He isnt the engine or the heart of the team but his defensive intensity and his team first at iude is the principle/philosophy and the backbone that has won 3 championships for the Spurs.

And when you lose a player like that im afraid you lose a VITAL piece of the Championship puzzle that I dont think you can ever replace.....

Bruce is the only wing worth a that Pop and RC ever brought in.

who the do the expect to bring in to replace him?

who the is going to make the HEB commercials with TD and Manu?

show me a young bruce bowen on this team and i'd begrudgingly accept the fact that it's time to move on.

Pop and Co have failed to replenish the roster with players who's nuts have dropped.

And holt and co's cheap ass. Sell the team if you aren't going to do what it takes to put the best possible players on the floor.

that is all.

[SA210]

If we keep Finley over Bruce...I don't even know, I would be irate.

[SA210]

I got to thinking that IF this is somehow the end of the road for this season, I hope that those who go to the game will stick around to the end and be sure to let these Spurs know just how much they're appreciated by this community. I realize there are many here who would consider that sentiment sappy, but it's extraordinarily disrespectful to not appreciate all that the Spurs have done in this generation.

If it's the end of the road for Bruce, it's the end of a generation in many ways. Tim, Tony, and Manu will stay (most likely), but Bowen has -- as others have said -- always been the rock-solid backbone of these teams. He's the fourth Beatle for this group of Spurs, but he's always been that quiet, steady force that has allowed this team to keep an even keel and stay in games. He's been selfless on the floor and off. He's always been there to step up after a tough loss and talk; he's been there to be the smiling face after so many big wins. His arrival in San Antonio immediately changed the mentality of a franchise that had just had its collective ass kicked by a young and charging Lakers team. And his willingness to just to a thankless job is a huge reason that the Spurs ever got over the hump against those guys.

He's been screwed out of countless Defensive Player of the Year awards (several times getting the most votes from coaches for the All-Defense Team in the same year). He really should have been the MVP of the 2007 Finals, not because he scored 6 ppg or because he led the team in minutes played, but because of the biggest number in that series -- .356 (The King's shooting percentage). Someday, kids will marvel at the statisitical accomplishments of Lebron James and, I think, they'll wonder at the anomalously bad performance in that series; I only wish there was an MVP award for Bruce Bowen to make the reason for it all the more historically memorable.

But it's the understanding of team -- and the willingness to do his job for something more than individual accolades -- that makes Bruce iconic in San Antonio. It's why the fans of this City should embrace him at every opportunity, no matter how many or few of those there might be.

I'll be shouting "Bruuuuuuuucccccceeeeee" tonight whenever he enters the game and I'll stick around to the end to thank the Spurs for surviving another day -- or for taking me on an incredible ride for the last decade (with the hope that it will continue).

This realllly sums up exactly how I feel about Bruce. Great post FWD

[dtk]

Kobe did it to Mo Williams I believe.

It is not an entirely different thing to punch someone in the balls?

I knew there was more than 12 reasons I didn't like Kobe.

It would be if there was contact...

[poop]

this thread makes me sad

i never realized this could be Bruce's last game!!!

Bowen = spurs basketball defined.

[SA210]

this thread makes me sad

i never realized this could be Bruce's last game!!!

Bowen = spurs basketball defined.

I never got to meet him.

[Brazil]

The Spurs will win the last 3 games of this serie, we will have time to discuss about Bruce retirement later.

[SA210]

The Spurs will win the last 3 games of this serie, we will have time to discuss about Bruce retirement later.

I pray this happens.

[biziofromdowntown]

One more time pleaz.....


BRUUUUUUUCE!

i would say it laud again: BOWNED!

[baseline bum]

I'm sure most fans here want to see him retire a Spur, but you really have to consider what's good for the team, and I'm sure Buford will make the right call.

Like when he made the right call passing on Josh Howard?
Like when he made the right call signing Rasho and letting Jackson walk?
Like when he made the right call trading Scola for nothing?
Like when he made the right call giving Finley a player option for next year at 2.5X his market value?

I'm going to lean more to Buford making the wrong call again, due to his recent history.

[baseline bum]

Buck's articles are often strategically placed and this one fits in that mold perfectly- you know, where he sets up in advance the explanation for what the Spurs are planning.



I remember when Spurs fans lambasted Beno for having his MySpace but this season they have clamored all over the players Twitters and Facebooks- like Manu and Bruce.

Spurs fans lambasted Beno because he talked about the team. GTFO with your stupid garbage.

[TimDunkem]

Spurs fans lambasted Beno because he talked about the team. GTFO with your stupid garbage.

Out of curiosity; Do you know what he said?

[Dex]

As far as I'm concerned, the Dynasty Spurs as we knew them was Tim, Tony, Manu, and Bruce. Discounting 99 obviously, those four players were the constant key to every championship run. The center and the role players around them changed, but they were the foundation.

If this is truly Bruce's last season with the Spurs, then it would be a great loss, and one that's hard to accept. I would hope he is able to continue to do what makes him happy, even if it is with another team. There is no way I could harbor any ill will towards a guy who was an example of professionalism his entire time here.

I'd rather seem him play his last games in silver and black though. Shipping him out to pasture seems disrespectful if he thinks he can show that he has something left to offer.

[Morg1411]

Bruce IS Spurs basketball. As goes Bruce, so goes the Spurs.

I will still support this team if Bruce goes, but it'll be a painful parting.

[GSH]

If the Spurs don't hang Bowen's jersey quickly enough, the fans will hang one on their own. The Spurs won their championships on defense. Pop preached it, and demanded it above all else. Nobody epitomizes that like Bruce Bowen. Tim Duncan is the reason for the consistent success on the floor, but Bowen is the icon for what this team was about.

He's a class act, and I'm glad he's staying in San Antonio when he retires. I'd be surprised if he wasn't still working for the Spurs in some capacity.

[SA210]

Bruce IS Spurs basketball. As goes Bruce, so goes the Spurs.

I will still support this team if Bruce goes, but it'll be a painful parting.

And I will support Bruce wherever he goes too.
(Better NOT be Lakers )

[HarlemHeat37]

He's completely shut down Terry in this series, and he's took Barea out..he should be a Spur next season, even if he only plays 10 MPG..we'll see if actually happens though..it was obvious that Pop was forcing him into retirement, but maybe he's changed his mind with Bowen's game lately..

Bowen's impact won't only come on the court, but he can be a mentor to any of our wings next year..whether it's a new FA, Hairston or Gist, Bowen can be a great teacher..there's nobody else like him..

[diego]

Its been painful to see Bruce pushed to the wayside while others get additional minutes.

This along with the benching of Georgie are the two things that may have ed us beyond belief this year, the Manu injury notwithstanding.

I will never understand it in my entire lifetime. If anyone 'deserved' better treatment in the twilight of their career its Bruce. I hope Timmy doesnt get the same bull from Pop as he continues to age.

that's the thing, like buck says, bowen deserves to start and play big minutes this game, even if he is done (which I dont think is the case). start tony finley bruce duncan and oberto, and screw everyone who says they're old. they earned it. pop is being stubborn on the wrong front!

[45 bank shot]

I really dun know bout this.
1. Bruce will be 39 next year and how much is there left in him?
2. Are we able to find a great wing defender to replace him? Def not Udoka, at least not Hairston for another 3 years so whoz it gonna be?

[HarlemHeat37]

nobody can replace Bowen..

we're gonna have to hope for Hairston/Gist, acquiring a FA like Dahntay Jones, or packaging expiring contracts for a realistic option like a Richard Jefferson..IMO at least..

[poop]

I never got to meet him.

dude he goes to HEB all the fkin time, he always buys a steak usually on game days. hes a good guy, friendly with everyone. i think he goes to the blanco and 1604 one these days.