McDonald: Popovich says Bowen not answer for Spurs

[Man In Black]

Making speeches about how "Larry Bird isn't walking through that door" worked out awesome for Pitino and the Celtics.

I agree but unlike Pitino's Celtics, Pop is still blessed to have Duncan, Parker, & Ginobili. Bowen isn't the missing keystone. I agree with Pop, if I'm decoding him right, this is a line in the sand thing.

[Ice009]

Bruce Bowen is one of my favorite Spurs players ever.


Now, there were times where I got mad at Bruce for not producing enough offense, but still, last season I did not understand why Bruce's court time was almost halved. To me he still looked pretty good, and then when he got more court time later on in the season and playoffs he showed he is still a tough, hard nosed player that will leave it all on the court. There is not many players that I was happy with after the Dallas series only TP, Bruce and Hill are the ones that really busted their asses. I won't include Tim because he was not able to perform due to injury.

I am getting madder by the minute reading this crap. Why Bruce is not on the team right now is a mystery to me.

[Blackjack]

He got benched last year in an effort to manufacture offense.

The Spurs losing to the Lakers in the fashion they did, playing well enough offensively and just lacking the firepower, really jarred Pop and his thinking. He approached the season with the Lakers in mind and decided to commit to a more concerted effort to manufacture offense; this lead to spacing the floor with shooters like Bonner and Finley and trusting that the system would allow them to stay relatively close to where they'd been defensively.

It was a premise full of fail, in the long run, but it was fine for the regular season. The fact of the matter was, they just didn't have the firepower needed to dethrone the Lakers and playing the likes of Bonner and Finley, even if they were some of your better offensive options, was never going to be enough to get them over the top.

I've got to believe it wasn't news to Pop, but he tried to make due with what they had.

As for Bruce, he's gone on his own accord. I'm almost certain he would have been welcomed back as a bench player playing a much, much lesser role, but he decided against it. He would rather go out on his own terms feeling he still had something left in the tank before being relegated to a bit player and eventually fading to obscurity. (this is basically what was told to MaNu4Tres, IIRC, from a person with knowledge of the situation)

There definitely seems to be something below the surface between Pop and Bruce and-or some kind of falling out, but word says that if Bruce would've been willing to accept a diminished, lesser role... he'd be here.

[Man In Black]

I'm one of the biggest Sean Elliott guy's out there. And there was a time when the Spurs thought about bringing him back out of the announcer's booth and onto the court to give them depth and experience they were lacking.
Sean started working out and even practicing a little when he realized that the game had become too difficult for him, even this close to just being retired.
None of us know if Bruce is in any type of game shape. He's talking it up very well on ESPN and that doesn't lead to a lifestyle of suicide runs, practicing corner 3's, and shutdown defensive tactics.

[Doctor J]

Popovich has only scant clues as to why the defensive slide that began two years ago has continued into this season. One explanation he does not buy — a lack of Bruce Bowen.

NO. It's not a lack of Bruce. It's a lack of height.

We have needed a center and a power forward to defend other teams' big men.

[Dro210]

Weak Pop...

The whole Bruce situation is such a shame.

[timvp]

Elie it can still play ball. Trust me, if Elie it worked hard to get in game shape, got some actual playing time... it will all come back to him. Too tough? That's a cop out.

Wait, wut? 46-year-old Mario Elie?

[SenorSpur]

Bruce Bowen is also one of my favorite Spurs players ever. Bowen was THE unheradled and yet vital cog in the defensive mentality that helped earn the Spurs 3 championships during his tenure.

Having said that, it was clear that Bowen had lost a step or two last year. However he was STILL the best perimeter defender on the team. He was also clearly the best swingman the Spurs had in the ill-fated Dallas playoff series - on both ends. Those results did nothing but confirm that Pop made a stupid decision to allow Finley to gain court time, at Bowen's expense.

As someone stated the obvious earlier in this thread, ty defenders = ty defense. The erosion of team defense has as much to do with crappy defensive players, as it does the absence of Bowen. The failed results should not come as a surprise to anyone - especially the coach.

I have to admit that I'm shocked that Pop would take such a backhanded shot at one of the great perimeter defenders the NBA has ever seen. A player that I thought Pop had the ultimate respect for. It's uncalled for and shows just how much of a Pop can be. I don't know what happened between those two, but it's clear to me that something took place. Still, I do know this much: Pop would NEVER, EVER utter such a public slight against his boy Avery Johnson.

Retiring Bowen's number should be a no-brainer. If it doesn't happen, it will be an indictment on the franchise and a man, who seemingly has way too much organizational control. Despite whatever personal feelings he may have, Bowen's number deserves to hang from the rafters - even more than AJ.

[kace]

i always found that the Spurs main "voices" (Pop, tim, TP and manu, even DRob) weren't really praising Bruce on a regular basis like they did with each others.

i mean most of us (including me) thought Bruce was part of the true big 4, rather than the big 3.

Whereas Bruce was clearly appreciated, without a doubt, it could be indeed that his role wasn't considered by those guys as important as us, the fans, consider it.

No need to bring me articles quoting tp or tim praising bruce, i know there are some ones. but whereas i've heard/read the big3, DRob and Pop praising each others several times, that wasn't the case for bruce.

i was even surprised by the little reactions his retirement provoked.

[Pero]

A vote of confidence: Spurs center/forward Antonio McDyess was pleased to hear the news that Kim Hughes got the nod as Clippers interim coach after Mike Dunleavy stepped away from the bench.

Hehe, at first I was wondering if this is the first woman coach in the NBA.

[MaNu4Tres]

I really think he's saying this for the current team he has. He doesn't want them to believe there's no chance at improving on the defensive end and he doesn't want his current roster to believe that he doesn't believe in them by saying Bowen is the answer.

Anyone with common sense knows Bowen was a huge piece in the Spurs championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007. And Spurs couldn't have just plugged in another player for Bowen and had the same success. There's no way.

If anyone remembers the Lakers series in 2008, Spurs had two 20 point leads in that series in two games they lost. A fact is Lakers made their huge runs in those two games when Bowen was on the bench. Bruce Bowen hits this subject briefly on the podcast on 12/17/09. http://www.ticket760.com/cc-common/p...rningDrive.xml... My point is Bowen was an integral piece of the Spurs' success in 2008. The Lakers series is part of the proof in the pudding as well as the series against the Hornets, where Peja went Kobe on the Spurs in games 1 and games 2 because Bowen was hounding Paul the first two games. After the first 2 games, Pop made the switch to put Bowen on Peja and Spurs went 4-1 the remaining 5 games in the series. Bowen may not be the answer right now, due to his age and how comfortable his chair has been feeling in Bristol and in the booth on the Ticket, but the man made a huge difference every year he was a Spur. Spurs couldn't have just plugged in anybody and had the same success. Anyone who believes that is just a moron.

[Ice009]

I really think he's saying this for the current team he has. He doesn't want them to believe there's no chance at improving on the defensive end and he doesn't want his current roster to believe that he doesn't believe in them by saying Bowen is the answer.

Anyone with common sense knows Bowen was a huge piece in the Spurs championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007. And Spurs couldn't have just plugged in another player for Bowen and had the same success. There's no way.

If anyone remembers the Lakers series in 2008, Spurs had two 20 point leads in that series in two games they lost. A fact is Lakers made their huge runs in those two games when Bowen was on the bench. Bruce Bowen hits this subject briefly on the podcast on 12/17/09. http://www.ticket760.com/cc-common/p...rningDrive.xml... My point is Bowen was an integral piece of the Spurs' success in 2008. The Lakers series is part of the proof in the pudding as well as the series against the Hornets, where Peja went Kobe on the Spurs in games 1 and games 2 because Bowen was hounding Paul the first two games. After the first 2 games, Pop made the switch to put Bowen on Peja and Spurs went 4-1 the remaining 5 games in the series. Bowen may not be the answer right now, due to his age and how comfortable his chair has been feeling in Bristol and in the booth on the Ticket, but the man made a huge difference every year he was a Spur. Spurs couldn't have just plugged in anybody and had the same success. Anyone who believes that is just a moron.

I think even Scottie Pippen has disrespected Bruce at one time by saying that a lot of people would look like great defenders if they had Tim Duncan behind them like Bruce did.

That is kind of a great compliment for Tim and really makes it crazy he never won defensive player of the year, but Bruce is one of the best of all time too.

I'd like to read the actual quote again, but don't recall where I found it.

[MaNu4Tres]

I think even Scottie Pippen has disrespected Bruce at one time by saying that a lot of people would look like great defenders if they had Tim Duncan behind them like Bruce did.

That is kind of a great compliment for Tim and really makes it crazy he never won defensive player of the year, but Bruce is one of the best of all time too.

I'd like to read the actual quote again, but don't recall where I found it.

If that is true, Scottie Pippen's opinion couldn't be more wrong.

[Ice009]

If that is true, Scottie Pippen's opinion couldn't be more wrong.

lol I guess Spurs fans are the only ones that realize how good Bruce is.

I was paraphrasing what Pippen said but that is pretty close to his quote. This would have been at least 3, 4 years ago when he said it.

[MaNu4Tres]

lol I guess Spurs fans are the only ones that realize how good Bruce is.

Or the other 29 NBA head coaches who voted for Bruce Bowen to make 8 consecutive All-NBA Defensive teams from 2001 to 2008.

Yeah your right, I guess Spurs fans are the only ones.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Pop with some lame quotes about Bowen
I think we've now figured out who the butthurt person in the Spurs organization is who is against retiring Bowen's jersey.

Didn't they have some serious words last year after some serious issues between them? We all know about that black hole known as Pop's doghouse,but does that still hold for retired players?

I think it was Buck Harvey who said there were those within the Spurs who are against Bowen's jersey being retired. And considering that those type of decisions are about 99.9% Pop, I think Pop is against it. I think that there was some major blowup between the two last season and that's why Bowen never played even though he obviously had some gas left in the tank ... and it's also why Pop has scoffed Bowen in the press a couple times this year.

I could be wrong. Guess we'll find out. But if Bowen's #12 isn't in the rafters in a few years, that'd be disgusting.

MY God, if the Spurs can retire Avery Johnson's jersey, it would be a travesty not to retire Bruce's. He was tens times the player Avery ever was.

Somebody tell Pop that fielding lineups encourages defense...

+1

[Twisted_Dawg]

Clearly Bruce's skills had deminished. It is a miracle he played so well like he did in his
30's.

If Pop really wanted to amp up the offense, then he shoudl hire an assistant coach with some offensive talent. Hey, didn't we have a guy like that once?

[Ice009]

Or the other 29 NBA head coaches who voted for Bruce Bowen to make 8 consecutive All-NBA Defensive teams from 2001 to 2008.

Yeah your right, I guess Spurs fans are the only ones.

It was a joke.

But it's clear some people didn't respect Bruce's defense. Pippen is regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders ever. Why do you think he said that? Was he trying to knock Bruce down to make himself look better or do you think he really believed that. Pat Reilly also bagged Bruce when he left Miami. So there are some people that believe you could plug another defender in to do what Bruce did. I don't, but it seems like some people did.

[Bukefal]

Lame ? Harsh on bowen? He isnt. He is just saying reality. He's just saying that even if Bowen was with us, it would not be a major difference at all than it is now and that it's not relying on just one guy, but rather the whole team. He's just being realistic and he is true. I dont see any harsh Bowen bashing in this.

[ATXSPUR]

Like Harlem Heat said, Pop sat Bowen way too abruptly last year. Bowen had plenty in the tank. PLENTY. There was no excuse for it, but to make matters worse, he played Finley huge minutes.

There's no way possible that Bruce Bowen - even today - could possibly be as ineffective as Finley was last year, or even the year before. Finley has been stealing money from the Spurs for three years.

Last year Bowen was still hitting threes at a good percentage, and was still defending very well. He had lost only a tad, not a full step. And he's aways been a great team defender.

That was the beggining of the end for our defense and Pop knows it. But of course Pop will never, ever admit to being anything other than a genius.

To me, the guy is the most overrated coach in the history of the league. Without Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich is Bob Weiss. There are certain guys he just chooses to mishandle hideously...Beno, Ian, etc. And then there's Finley, who he signed to a 2-year deal after the guy was completely washed up.

So basically we need to fire Pop?

[ATXSPUR]

I think even Scottie Pippen has disrespected Bruce at one time by saying that a lot of people would look like great defenders if they had Tim Duncan behind them like Bruce did.

That is kind of a great compliment for Tim and really makes it crazy he never won defensive player of the year, but Bruce is one of the best of all time too.

I'd like to read the actual quote again, but don't recall where I found it.

Pippen can start talking when he finally steps out of Michael Jordan's shadow.

[xtremesteven33]

Pop needs to acknowledge Bruce as if he would acknowledge Parker or Ginobili. Bruce was an all decade defensive player for sure. A player like that doesnt come around alot. Hes kinda saying that Bruce Bowen is a product of the defensive system. Like MJ said, the players still gotta perform. And I believe that Bruce made Popovich look like a better coach than he really is...

Pop didnt block Billups in game 7
Pop didnt reject Dirk Nowitzki
Pop didnt steal that ball from Steve Nash
Pop didnt make that extra pass

Bowen owes Pop nothing. Pop owes Bruce...

[xtremesteven33]

and BTW, im sure Tim,Tony and Manu miss #12 right now...

[ploto]

“If Bruce was able to continue to do what he does, he'd be doing it for us or someone else right now,” Popovich said.

I think this quote is out of line. Pop is in effect claiming that no team even wanted Bruce. To justify his decision, he is saying that the whole league agreed. I think Bruce did not want to play elsewhere. It's not like there were no teams interested in him. Why the need for Pop to get so defensive-- pun intended.

[SenorSpur]

Pop needs to acknowledge Bruce as if he would acknowledge Parker or Ginobili. Bruce was an all decade defensive player for sure. A player like that doesnt come around alot. Hes kinda saying that Bruce Bowen is a product of the defensive system. Like MJ said, the players still gotta perform. And I believe that Bruce made Popovich look like a better coach than he really is...

Pop didnt block Billups in game 7
Pop didnt reject Dirk Nowitzki
Pop didnt steal that ball from Steve Nash
Pop didnt make that extra pass

Bowen owes Pop nothing. Pop owes Bruce...

Amen.

It's very easy for Bruce's on-court contribution to go virtually unnoticed by the average fan. I don't think people really appreciate just how hard Bruce's job was from game-to-game. And how good he was at it.

Think about it. Having to basically take on the opposition's best perimeter scorer, shadowing them the entire game, running and fighting through screens and picks in an effort to either deny them the ball and/or close out or contest every single shot.

Bruce's responsibilities, along with the skills and abilities that it took to perform that job, were akin to that of a premier NFL "shutdown" cornerback. It's a job no one wanted to do. Yet, he built a career off doing the "dirty work" - every game - all game long.

I will always argue that his contributions to those champioships were just as important and critical to the Spurs success as anybody. All Spurs fans, and coaches for that matter, need to worship at the "Church of Bowen" and be thankful that he was a Spur. Furthermore, Pop needs to "get over himself".