Bruce Bowen will hold a press conference tomorrow

[Trainwreck2100]

seriously he's doing it at a spa?

[Thompson]

My definition of 'dirty' is someone who intentionally tries to hurt other players, which I don't think Bowen did. People came down on his feet more often because Bruce played smothering defense, he didn't give an inch to allow them to be more comfortable (how many other players in the league smother someone like Bruce did?). A lot of shooters jump forward when they're shooting anyway, and Bruce being right in your face would mean you'd come down near him or on top of him. As for the infamous youtube video of the kick to the face, Bruce was again playing good defense by jumping with his arms up to contest the shot and throwing his legs wide to cut off potential passing lanes. He is airborne when the other player stops faking and drives forward, and actually hits Bowen's foot with his face. Yes, I'm serious. Watch the video.

I'll miss Bowen, but hopefully he'll come to a lot of games like David does. It's always nice to see them in the stands or joking with Tim and the rest of the team. I'm sure they'll retire his jersey eventually, but it would be cool if it went up to the rafters almost immediately.

[Thompson]

seriously he's doing it at a spa?

His wife's spa. Free publicity, basically. He's a smart businessman, it's good to know he probably won't fritter his money away like so many other players.

[Manufan909]

Yes, soccer was a joke. I know it's physical; I tried playing it recreationally with a dude who wanted to play it professionally. I've never felt so sore in my life. But, I had to pick on someone, and soccer players are just the natural target.

As far as cheating being a temptation -- and I'm NOT talking about Bowen here at all -- just look at all the steroids not just in baseball but in professional sports in general. Track stars, baseball players, baseball players, some football players. , I LOVE the sport of cycling, but cheating (e.g. steroids) is so prevalent that absolutely everyone is under question, and the champions are essentially guilty until proven innocent. But the reason for it is obvious: if you are compe ive, there's A LOT of money on the table. But in order to be compe ive, if the person isn't naturally one of the best, they have to cheat.

So yeah, for mediocre players who can make money if they succeed, if they aren't cheating they aren't trying. It's a gamble they're willing to take, and IMO it's absolutely terrible for the quality of compe ion, and for the fans.

Ok, I just misunderstood you then, my bad. And I was only of thinking of cheating on the court, but I get what you're saying now.

[FromWayDowntown]

His wife's spa. Free publicity, basically. He's a smart businessman, it's good to know he probably won't fritter his money away like so many other players.

Technically, he's also not a member of the Spurs at this point. While the association is hard to ignore, the fact is that he is a free agent. I can't imagine that the league would have anything to say about the Spurs hosting a press conference for a player whose rights are not theirs, but I'll admit that some things that the NBA does are puzzling to me and a prohibition against those sorts of things wouldn't really surprise me.

But, assuming that this is basketball-related in some sense, I think the more likely explanation is the opportunity to have the press conference in a comfortable location and gain some small business advantage in the process.

[tp2021]

Out of his many great defensive plays, I think the one that stands out for me is that perfect block on Billups in game 7 of the finals.

+1

A game-sealing block in a game 7 in the finals? That is dripping with epicness

[meestahmeestah]

+1

A game-sealing block in a game 7 in the finals? That is dripping with epicness

What I liked best about that block was that the entire game, , the entire series, Pop had Bruce chasing Rip through all the screens, disrupting him as much as he could, and Billups was muscling Tony Parker whenever he could and you could tell Tony was kind of getting worn out defending Billups.

So, in the 4th quarter Pop switched TP on Rip (speed to chase through the screens instead of bulldoze through them like Bruce would) and more importantly, the best perimeter defender on Mr. Big Shot. Classic chess move with a classic chess piece, and the block on Billups was when I finally exhaled and began to celebrate.

Raise #12 to the rafters...the sooner the better.

[pawe]

His number will be retired...book it!

[EricB]

A dirty player is someone who intentionally tries to injure a player.

Never once did Bruce Bowen do that.

[Spursfan092120]

A dirty player is someone who intentionally tries to injure a player.

Never once did Bruce Bowen do that.

game..set..match

[EricB]

I;m just curious as to the examples of these "dirty" plays.

getting in aguy's face on the perimiter? not giving him room to drive to the basket?

OH MY!!!!

[Spursfan092120]

I;m just curious as to the examples of these "dirty" plays.

getting in aguy's face on the perimiter? not giving him room to drive to the basket?

OH MY!!!!

The only one I can remember is kicking Wally in the face..but he was in a hurry to get to him....he was jumping, thinking he was shooting..

[EricB]

The only one I can remember is kicking Wally in the face..but he was in a hurry to get to him....he was jumping, thinking he was shooting..

If thats the only example, then IMO, the arguement holds zippo water.

[TD 21]

I'll preface this by saying that I, like many of you, am a huge Bowen fan. His importance and significance during his time as a Spur went far beyond what any statistical measurement could indicate. That being said, I'm not sure he deserves his jersey retired. I'm not saying he doesn't, but he's not an automatic a la Gervin, Robinson, Duncan, or even Parker and Ginobili.

While I didn't see Johnson's career in it's entirety, I don't think he should have his jersey in the rafters. To me, when you put guys like that up there you lower the standard, and then where do you stop? If Johnson is up there, Bowen should be, but really, should either? That sort of honor should be reserved for the great or near great; not the good or very good. This may be somewhat contradictory, because Bowen was certainly great at what he did, but even the most avid Bowen fans would have to concede that he was not a truly great player. He was a limited player who knew his limitations, worked his tail off, and had a high basketball IQ.

Maybe being the 4th most important player on 3 championship teams in a 5 year span should trump that, I don't know. I guess that's what it comes down to: should winning trump the fact that on stand alone merit he otherwise wouldn't even be under consideration for having this honor bestowed upon him?

[FromWayDowntown]

And there's almost nothing that could keep Bruce Bowen's #12 in circulation with the Spurs. He's not the greatest player in Spurs history, and he'll never even get a passing thougt fir the Hall of Fame, but he was indisputably a vital part of 3 le teams and his arrival in San Antonio was among the events that brought the Spurs back from the debacle that was the 2001 West Finals. He is the author of a few gigantic moments in the history of the franchise, several of which played a substantial role in les, and he was the consummate team player for a club that personified the idea of team. Bruce Bowen is a legendary Spur and should be remembered as such.

[EricB]

And there's almost nothing that could keep Bruce Bowen's #12 in circulation with the Spurs. He's not the greatest player in Spurs history, and he'll never even get a passing thougt fir the Hall of Fame, but he was indisputably a vital part of 3 le teams and his arrival in San Antonio was among the events that brought the Spurs back from the debacle that was the 2001 West Finals. He is the author of a few gigantic moments in the history of the franchise, several of which played a substantial role in les, and he was the consummate team player for a club that personified the idea of team. Bruce Bowen is a legendary Spur and should be remembered as such.

game 2 2003 against the Lakers

game 5 2007 the shot to win the game against the suns

thats two that just come quickly to mind.

[EricB]

I'll preface this by saying that I, like many of you, am a huge Bowen fan. His importance and significance during his time as a Spur went far beyond what any statistical measurement could indicate. That being said, I'm not sure he deserves his jersey retired. I'm not saying he doesn't, but he's not an automatic a la Gervin, Robinson, Duncan, or even Parker and Ginobili.

While I didn't see Johnson's career in it's entirety, I don't think he should have his jersey in the rafters. To me, when you put guys like that up there you lower the standard, and then where do you stop? If Johnson is up there, Bowen should be, but really, should either? That sort of honor should be reserved for the great or near great; not the good or very good. This may be somewhat contradictory, because Bowen was certainly great at what he did, but even the most avid Bowen fans would have to concede that he was not a truly great player. He was a limited player who knew his limitations, worked his tail off, and had a high basketball IQ.

Maybe being the 4th most important player on 3 championship teams in a 5 year span should trump that, I don't know. I guess that's what it comes down to: should winning trump the fact that on stand alone merit he otherwise wouldn't even be under consideration for having this honor bestowed upon him?

No Avery or yes avery, Bruce Bowen's jersey belongs up there. No questions, no nothing.

The 12 shall never be worn again.

[Biggems]

the only people that call Bruce dirty are the pussified Gs and Fs that he guards and the cry baby coaches like Zeke and Rivers.

You never once heard Kobe call Bruce dirty. You never once heard Lebron call Bruce dirty, and Lebron we all know Lebron can whine.

Bruce has taken a few cheapshots (the kick to the back of Ray Ray and the retaliation on CP3...and maybe even the two Bruce Lee's to the face) other than that, he was just a hardnosed, old school defender. These are grown men and there is going to be contact.


However, he is nowhere near the level of filth of these players: CP3, Reggie Evans, Raja Bell, Eduardo Najera, Juwan Howard, and the two dirtiest players of all time......Karl Malone and John Stockton

[TD 21]

No Avery or yes avery, Bruce Bowen's jersey belongs up there. No questions, no nothing.

The 12 shall never be worn again.

Definitely no to Johnson. Bowen, whether you think he should have his jersey raised to the rafters or not, is definitely not a "no questions, no nothing" type of player. Gervin, Robinson, Duncan, even Parker, and Ginobili, they're the no-brainers.

[EricB]

Definitely no to Johnson. Bowen, whether you think he should have his jersey raised to the rafters or not, is definitely not a "no questions, no nothing" type of player. Gervin, Robinson, Duncan, even Parker, and Ginobili, they're the no-brainers.

Bowen is a no brainer as well.

Any educated spurs fan that watched him in his time in SA KNOWS that.

Avery Johnson belongs up there as well.
End of story.

[ducks]

dallas can retire aj number

[Chillen]

If he does retire from the NBA, not only was he a great defender but his 3point shot as a Spur was classic. Anytime he would shoot a 3 I would get excited just watching him shoot, he defintely hit lots of key 3point shots for this ballclub during their 3 championships.

[TD 21]

Bowen is a no brainer as well.

Any educated spurs fan that watched him in his time in SA KNOWS that.

Avery Johnson belongs up there as well.
End of story.

Despite what you may think, trust me, I'm an educated Spurs fan. You're speaking from emotion and nostalgia rather than logic. In sports, players of their caliber generally don't have their jerseys raised to the rafters. Like I said, and like you've ignored, I didn't say I didn't think Bowen should have his jersey raised to the rafters, but to me it's one that could go either way.

[bigfan]

jersey to the rafters

[EricB]

Despite what you may think, trust me, I'm an educated Spurs fan. You're speaking from emotion and nostalgia rather than logic. In sports, players of their caliber generally don't have their jerseys raised to the rafters. Like I said, and like you've ignored, I didn't say I didn't think Bowen should have his jersey raised to the rafters, but to me it's one that could go either way.

I'm neither speaking from emotion nor nostalgia.

I'm speaking as someone who knows the body of work and contributions of said player.

When you look at THAT, then it IS a no brainer.