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Trivia Q:
Has anyone been in Bruces' situation, that being no longer with their longtime team, unsigned with the reg season approaching, and then signing midseason whether it be with their same team or another one before the deadline?
Reflecting on the Career of Bruce Bowen
By: Travis Heath
It looks like the career of Bruce Bowen may very well be over. There's still a chance someone could help the 38-year-old hang on for another season, but such a scenario is looking less-and-less likely by the day.
Given the aforementioned cir stances, it seems like an appropriate time to start reflecting on Bowen's career. In short, this man was one of the most hated players in the history of the game by fans of opposing teams across the country for his "in your face" style of defense. Opposing players weren't big fans, either, with some openly calling him a "dirty player."
Truth is, Bowen did use some dirty tactics from time-to-time. That said, I can't help but respect what the guy did night in and night out. He did the job so few NBA players in this generation were willing to do. He also did what he had to do to stick in the NBA for 13 years as an undrafted player out of Cal-State Fullerton
Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I'm going to miss watching Bowen harass a guy like Kobe Bryant . Thing is, I think Kobe will actually miss him, too, because Bowen pushed him to elevate his game during the course of their many battles over the years.
I'm sure there are still some bitter fans around the country who will insist they are happy to see Bowen go. Fair enough. But I'm willing to bet most fans and players respect what Bowen did during his time as a player.
Bowen will get nothing but respect from your friendly neighborhood columnist on his way out the door. And for those wondering, Bowen was not necessarily a fun or easy guy to work with as a media member. As such, my respect for Bowen really has nothing to do with any sort of personal interactions we had over the years. Instead, it's all about respecting the niche the guy carved out for himself over the years through hard work and a willingness to do the dirty work so many other players weren't willing to do.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13648
Trivia Q:
Has anyone been in Bruces' situation, that being no longer with their longtime team, unsigned with the reg season approaching, and then signing midseason whether it be with their same team or another one before the deadline?
P.J. Brown for starters
Glenn Robinson
It's Hoopsworld, the very same website who said Bowen might go to Boston or Orlando.
And they say Bown wasn't always great with the medias ???????
WTF
The guy's a notorius towel thrower and rabbit ear-er... NO RESPECT
Mel_13And they both won Champs, did they not.Glenn Robinson
Glenn with Poop!
Im going to miss bruce! He was the best at what he did and he was one of the major reasons the spurs won those last three championships and he still doesnt get enough credit for it. Great guy, great player.
Well, I only checked the rosters of recent champions, there are undoubtedly others who had less success.And they both won Champs, did they not.
Glenn with Poop!
Every summer there are a number of veteran players who are 'involuntarily' retired. Players who believe they can still play in the NBA, but can't find a club that agrees. Some of these players wait it out in the hope that some team offers a spot at some point in the season, like Robert Horry last year. Some go overseas, like Dominique Wilkins and Bob McAdoo. Not officially retiring can sometimes be profitable, as Keith Van Horn demonstrated.
Time will tell how it ends for Bruce. I'd love to see a situation where the Spurs bring him back and he says it will be his last year. That way he can get a proper ovation when he is taken out near the end of the last home game of the season.
It's a harsh numbers game at this point of the summer. There are many more free agents than available roster spots around the NBA. Henry Abbott at Truehoop wrote about it a few weeks ago:
10. Unemployed NBA Players
There won't exactly be bread lines, but some players you watched play in the NBA last season will be looking for work somewhere else soon.
To save money, many teams (even the wealthy Lakers) have decided to carry short rosters -- just 13 players, instead of the allowed 15. On opening night, there could be 30 or 40 fewer NBA jobs than a year ago. At the same time, dozens of draftees and imported free agents (everyone from David Andersen with the Rockets to new Bull Jannero Pargo) have already filled roster spots.
As of this morning there are 381 signed players. If every team sticks to a roster of 13, just 24 more will get contracts. (As many as 71 could get jobs -- that would put every roster at the maximum 15). Meanwhile Chad Ford lists 40 notable free agents, from David Lee to Morris Almond. The full list is at 70.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...-to-Watch.html
If retirement is what Bruce is considering...thank you Bruce...you will be missed by all the fans that admired and respected your game and HEB commercials just won't be the same.
He solidified our trademark defense by playing the "stopper" for us all those seasons. I can say without a doubt he played a key role in our championship runs. Ofcourse he might have had a few bad games, but I definitely remember the good games he had also.
Thanks Bruce for your part in our Spurs legacy. I fully expect the day to come where your jersey is hung up in the rafters.
That was a strange comment. I always heard the media loved the guy.
I'll miss you Bruce. You were one of the biggest reasons for my loyalty to the Spurs over the years.
With you or without you, I hope Pop retains the mentality of defense first. F*** that Matt Bonner s***.
If they ever have a "Overachiever" trophy in the NBA it will be named after Bruce Bowen.
He took very average physical tools and combined them with the mental ability to concentrate on an aspect of the game that many players overlook because it's not flashy and doesn't feed their ego and became not only a starter on championship teams but all-pro on defense.
Just think of all the minor league players--many with better physical skills--who quit or drift out of the game and imagine the focus and determination this man has. He has so much to give to young players, he should be coaching when he hangs up his shoes for the last time.
Bruce was ROBBED of the DPOY award several years in a row.
^^Once
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