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Whatever dude.
Bruce is not a Kobe stopper, he no longer can even slow him down anymore.
Kobe is just too good and at the top of his game for Bowen.
For a team in win-now mode, a guy like Bowen (who knows the Spurs defensive schemes) makes sense. With the addition of so many new players, it also wouldn't hurt to have a guy like Bowen help mentor the new players, especially the young ones that make the team.
I think we all can agree in the direction the team is heading, but we still need this guy if for nothing else but the intangibles he can bring to the team. He may not be Bruce of 03, but him being on the team can only help and not hurt.
All I can say is that IF we get Bruce back and IF he gets some minutes against the Lakers, we'll put all theories to test and settle this argument once and for all. Personally I think if Kobe is in rhythm, nobody can really stop him unless you double team him forcing him to pass or don't allow him to catch the ball in the first place. But that of course can have serious consequences. Hopefully this past year including Beijing will take it's toll on Kobe next year, he looked exhausted in post game press conference, even my wife noticed.
Bruce has lost a step... sure... That still doesn't negate the fact that as recent as last season (on limited minutes, no less) Bruce still
did a of a job on Vince Carter...
frustrated the typically stoic Brandon Roy...
did an admirable job on Ben Gordon, and Rip Hamilton...
And remember that game against the Pacers when Granger was going off?? Enter Bruce... Spurs' win.
Leandro Barbosa was his new B^#$& after Marion left the Suns...
Who was put in the games to shutdown Dallas' guard combo of Jason Terry and Barea?? A tandem of Bruce and Hill. Too bad Pop didn't recognize the benefits of this adjustment until it was too late...
And to top it off Bruce can always be counted on shutting down Peja (who's also getting up there age)...
As for his play against Kobe... He didn't get many minutes against him last season... but Bruce forced Bryant into his typical chucker mode... Unfortunately, holding Kobe off doesn't necessarily guarantee a win against the Lakers these days... Not after Gasol's arrival or when Odom decides to play...
Durant was pretty much the only player last season that got whatever he wanted off of Bruce...
Bruce for the Vet min >>> minutes given to Finley...
The way I see it, Bruce would be the defensive specialist and Finley should be relegated to the Steve Kerr role...
I guess you know more than Pop knows right now.. Maybe you should apply for a coaching job. The bucks might hire you and you could build around Bowen.
Bruce come back! If we do sign him, how many roster spots are left?
I want to add that, if anything, I would have Bruce for the vet minimum teaching the tricks of the trade to the young guys in the roster. If Finley can be valuable in that capacity, I don't see how Bowen can't be.
This all goes back to the ability of Bruce being able to at least slow down the opposing teams best perimeter player (Kobe/Lebron). For arguments sake, if he can't do that, how much value does he have? Do you sign him up for nostalgia reasons and hope he can teach the young guys a few things or use that $$ on somebody who may be able to contribute on both ends of the floors, of course for that "low" amount of $$ what can you expect?
Nice post, now I ask this, if a player like Hairston can do the above -minus being effective against Kobe or Durant, but is able to add some youth and scoring, do you still sign Bruce if he's available? Or do you sign the biggest C you can find to become the designated 15 min. 6 fouls type of player? Which is more valuable at that point? Honestly if Hairston or somebody else can become the teams "lockdown" defender, signing a big goofball may prove to me more valuable than signing Bruce.
SPURS should let him go a few years ago. SPURS finally get it but the fans still don't and this kind of mentality prohibited SPURS to move forward and retool. Pls don't bring hm back
move on, he has had a good career, we need that roster spot to develop someone like Hairston behind Jefferson.
It's all about how SL goes. Wouldn't be surprised if it is still a wait and see thing as far as who makes the roster. I don't think anything is set in stone right now as far as Williams, Gist, McClinton. Do the Spurs even want Bruce back? I think no. I think Bruce still has it. Most of it, ha.
Bring him back for his defense if the chance presents itself, no doubt...but his years of being a starter and playing 30+ minutes are behind him. He has become a way bigger liability on offense and his once deadly corner shot is almost non-existant now.
Also I love Bruce, but retiring his jersey would be too much. That will kind of cheapen the retiring of jereseys, and we'd run out of jerseys pretty soon if we retire every likeable guy's number that plays here.
I'm not convinced the Spurs have him in their plans. He is getting to an age where you fall off the planet in all categories: offense, defense, speed, athleticism. While he may have been a top 5 defender last year, he could very well fall off the earth like Horry did in his last year. I'm guessing the FO is forseeing this possibility. There is also a problem with playing time. Bruce didn't do very well at all in a limited minutes role last year compared to a heavy minutes role.
While Spurs fans should remember Bruce fondly, the Spurs need to move on. Bruce is no longer the defender he once was, and his game would completely fall apart if he loses another half step. His days as an elite defender are numbered and his offense dropped from what little there once was. It is time to let him go and try to keep us in contention for another le by not loading up on another 08 Horry
Anti-Bruce arguments should be based in fact. "His once deadly corner shot his almost non-existant now." There's this thing called NBA hot spots -
http://www.nba.com/hotspots/
.426 from the right corner 3, .442 from the left corner. The two spots where he takes the highest fraction of his shots from... Yep, that's really looking gone to me.
I'm in the bring back Bruce camp. He was our best wing against Dallas. He hasn't lost a lot on the defensive end. I'd have preferred (and would still prefer) him playing as opposed to Finley. He can play either SG or SF spot. 96 minutes - 25 for Manu - 30 for Jefferson - 20 for Hairston = 21 MPG for Bruce. Works for me...
If anything I'd say more like 15 min. but you gotta bring him in early, he'll get all stiff and cozy sitting on the bench. It's a tough call with Bruce, he's a great guy but that doesn't win rings.. To me he's a much smaller part of the formula now...
Yeah. Gotta get the BB gun back.
Oh boy.....fickle Spurs fans!!
They were dying for the team to get younger. And the Spurs responded...this offseason by GETTING YOUNGER!!!
Oh my.....they actually did something the people wanted it.
And..still it's not enough?????? Oh boy!!!
We can rationalize all the reasons for Bruce to come back....but the FO made a decision and we as fans should give them kudos and move into the future.
I like Bruce and I'm very grateful for his contributions in 8 years as a Spur. But..nothing lasts forever and it's time to move forward.
all them biatches he owned in the pass
will become
GHILL3 biatches, accept the transition fellas...the GUNIT is here
I haven't noticed the decline in Bowen's defensive abilities that others refer to.
In addition, other than defensive prowess, Bruce didn't have that much to lose anyway (assuming he can still hit that unguarded corner three).
Therefore, why wouldn't the Spurs want him back? I doubt that his salary demand would be exorbitant and I can think of 2-4 members of the current roster that Bruce could trump in terms of potential contributions.
Also, last I heard, the Lakers still have Kobe Bryant on their roster.
38 year old Bruce Bowen would still be the team's top perimeter defender.
Bruce! Time to move on.
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