Yea but it took him 2 games to figure it out
that's what s me up though..
just last year, Pop had enough confidence to have Bowen guarding the best PG in the NBA..a 36-year old SF guarding the best PG in the NBA for a few games..it didn't work, but that isn't the point..
could Pop's confidence in Bowen have really disappeared so quickly..from guarding elite PGs, to not playing ahead of Ime? it really has to come down to saving him, or Bowen has some injuries, like Kori said..
I think Bowen's lack of PT has alot to do with his lack of shooting. Teams are pretty much leaving Bowen open to go double on Duncan/Parker.
Teams are playing the numbers and numbers say Bowen shoots twice in a game, why even bother defending him?
Bowen's just not shooting this year for whatever reason. Even Ime who only plays 14 minutes per game gets up more shots. Bowen this season has the lowest # of attempts since he was in Miami.
Pop's probably weighing the cost benefit of his defense versus his lack of offense.
I think Hairston would have been better choice than Ime and Bruce over either of them. At least get Bruce SOME PT which is end of game garbage. Thanks for the loss Pop.
seriously people its time for all the Bowen whining to stop... I love the spurs and have loved Bowen's defense for years. But the reason Pop isnt playing Bowen is because he has looked horrible when he gets on the court this year. Ive watched every game this season and the only good game I can remember Bowen having(off the top of my head) is the second half against NJ when he shut down Vince Carter.
90% of the time hes on the court he looks slow and out of sync with the rest of the defense. Its very sad, but the fact is that bowen has lost a step on the defensive end... that combined with his poor shooting this year have earned him a seat on the bench. I really hope he can come back and be a factor for us in the playoffs, but his play so far this year does nothing to make me think that will happen.
Ime is picking up the extra minutes because we just dont have anyone else to give them to. Bowen and Ime are are only SF's and if Bowen is out then that leaves one option.
IMO our #1 concern next offseason should be acquiring a young athletic SF.
I agree with Allanon's point of view, but Ime really isn't better than Bruce offensively..I guess he is actually, but not by much..
Bowen makes 3s at a higher rate, and has better shot selection..
I guess you haven't been watching close enough then..
i agree
and the best conditioned athlete on the team.
I'll be laughing when the playoffs start and our starting lineup is
Parker
Mason
Bowen
Gooden
Duncan
And Pop will say...oh..about all those weird lineups in the Reg. Season....
Just Kidding.
Haven't seen Bowen in any new HEB commercials either.... hmm...
You haven't been watching.
Was Pop the Director?
Pop is saving Bowen for the playoffs. Plain and simple. Bowen is still capable of being a fantastic defender for stretches. I was really surprised Pop didn't put him on Chris Paul yesterday to at least see if he could frustrate him....
I guess we'll all find out soon who's right and who's wrong.
I tend to think that maybe there is something to the notion that Pop is trying to avoid playing 5 v 4 on offense by keeping 5 players on the floor who are threats to score. However, I think we got a glimpse of the crunch time lineup (minus Manu who was still injured) against Boston, and there were TP-shooting guard-Bowen-Duncan-Thomas on the floor.
I don't know if Bruce will start in the playoffs, but I bet he'll be on the court in crunch time. Hopefully Pop will give him minutes earlier in the game too so he's not cold coming off the bench, but I'll bet he's there in the playoffs.
This is a scary thought having no Bruce and Pop only playing Udoka in his place. I hope Pop is better than that or that Bowen was sick. I think we need him and his experience.
i was kind of surprised it took popovich that long to figure out bowen couldn't guard paul. if bowen can't perform at 2007 or even 2008 level, spurs' chances of beating the lakers will considerably decrease. udoka isn't the ideal replacement either. seeing how popovich always sticks with his veterans despite a glaring decline (horry), it must be very bad that bowen is being replaced by udoka.
tell y the truth. Bruce is pregnant. so it is illegal to either fire him or play him.
I hope he com in the Playoffs in and defend and make 3s
i really hope you're right. but i think it's wishful thinking on your part.
he shut down carter,, did he not also shut down ron artest 2nd half ? but still that's only 2 games ?? he can help defensively w. some of the "older guys", but he does seem a foot slower w/ most of the younger ones.
he's getting old, his time is over. He cant keep up with the rest of the team. Pop wants to focus on younger guys. Giving others a chance, bowen had his one.
I still think Bowen is a better player then Ime, and thats even after his decline.
At first I thought Pop was saving him for the playoffs but as we get closer and closer to it I'm starting to question that motive.
Maybe Pop is trying to learn from his mistake of overplaying a declining player like Horry and he doesn't want to make that mistake twice. However then he goes and plays Finley minutes as if he is a NBA starter in his prime so I'm a bit lost what Pop has planed.
Maybe since Peja was out Pop didn't feel he needed to play Bowen.
It's all quite mysterious though....I guess we'll see when the playoff happen.
Bowen has had a great list of performances this season..
do people really forget that easily?..
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