I'm about to get pounced on. "Bruce Bowen should not start"

[Kori Ellis]

This thread is laughable.

If anyone is out of the starting lineup in the fall, it's Manu not Bruce.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

I've actually contemplated what would happen if the Spurs aren't able to get a rebounder to put next to Duncan. I think you have two options:

1) Get a great rebounder who can play in small ball to put next to Duncan.
2) Get two good rebounders who can play in small ball and replace Bowen in the starting lineup.

As it stands, the Spurs need to put in a great rebounder next to TP, Manu, Bowen and Duncan. On a whole, that is a poor rebounding foursome. If you don't get a great rebounder, you'd then have to make up for it by putting two good rebounders next to TP, Manu and Duncan.

Rebounding was the number one problem this season ... especially when going small. That is the hole that most needs plugged this offseason.

Someone in the Kenny Thomas mold?

[leemajors]

Someone in the Kenny Thomas mold?

not at his salary

[Please_dont_ban_me]

not at his salary

I mean height and playing style wise.


I'm not a big Kenny Thomas fan myself. High salary or not.

[Spurologist]

[timvp]

Someone in the Kenny Thomas mold?

Or in the Reggie Evans mold.

I'm all for Bowen to keep starting. That's why I want Reggie Evans.

But if the Spurs get someone like Jared Jeffries, they'd still need more rebounding in their playoff go-to lineup. This year, TP, Manu, Bowen, Finley/Horry and Duncan just didn't rebound well enough. When it was Finley in there, it was a horrible rebounding team.

TP, Manu, Bowen, Jeffries and Duncan would still be a bad rebounding lineup. Bowen had a pretty good year rebounding, but compared to Marion, Diaw, Howard, Artest and other small forwards on good teams in the West, he's near the bottom in that regard. So the Spurs would be screwed again next year in the playoffs.

Bottomline is the Spurs need Reggie Evans or someone like him to be able to grab a damn board in the postseason. Getting outrebounded in 11 of the last 12 playoff games should've been enough of a wakeup call.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Or in the Reggie Evans mold.

I'm all for Bowen to keep starting. That's why I want Reggie Evans.

But if the Spurs get someone like Jared Jeffries, they'd still need more rebounding in their playoff go-to lineup. This year, TP, Manu, Bowen, Finley/Horry and Duncan just didn't rebound well enough. When it was Finley in there, it was a horrible rebounding team.

TP, Manu, Bowen, Jeffries and Duncan would still be a bad rebounding lineup. Bowen had a pretty good year rebounding, but compared to Marion, Diaw, Howard, Artest and other small forwards on good teams in the West, he's near the bottom in that regard. So the Spurs would be screwed again next year in the playoffs.

Bottomline is the Spurs need Reggie Evans or someone like him to be able to grab a damn board in the postseason. Getting outrebounded in 11 of the last 12 playoff games should've been enough of a wakeup call.

Part of that is the Spurs scheme. They send most guys back on defense, and leave Duncan + Whoever the other big in there is, to hit the boards. Playing small ball pretty much negates that strategy.

I don't think it's fair to say Bowen/Finley's rebounds were down when they're playing out of position. He's really strong, yet mobile/agile. I dno't know if he's a great rebounder, but he has the Malik type hustle at least. Seems he has the IQ of my left nut though.

As for Evans, I wouldn't mind him on my team. Even though his 's annoying.

[greens]

Bruce Bowen has started in every single game since 2001 or 2002, I think...And that's one of the main reasons as to why we have two championship rings. The truth is that he is the best defender in the league. If we don't start him, our defense will crumbe...not only that...the "superstar" players on the opposing team will shoot way too many points without Bruce guarding them...Bruce is known for stopping the best players...

I think he was incredible in this series against the Mavs. His block on Dirk was just amazing...No one would have been able to do that on Dirk...And if you notice, in Game one, his defense is what prevented Dirk from scoring that crucial point...We won that first game, thanks to his defense as well as other factors...

Pop knows that Bruce is at the core of defense. He will put him on anyone that is getting hot, whether tall or big or whatever...He is our weapon in guarding big stars...To not start him, it would mean that Kobe or Carmelo or Ray Allen or whoever will get all the shots they want...Plus let's not forget that Bruce was the champion of three point shots just a few years back. The guy can shoot those threes very well, indeed...

Think back to Game 7 last year with Pistons...If Pop put someone else to guard Chauncey in that last minute to play...That three would have gone in...and we would be up two points as opposed to five points...And we all know that under a minute to play and two point difference does not mean much at all...So I think in a way that Bruce does not get enough credit for that awesome block on Chauncey's three point attempt...He just timed it so perfectly...

Also I think Bruce has the record for playing the most consecutive games for the Spurs...

[SequSpur]

WTF does Bruce have to do with the fishing trip?

[greens]

well if you are trying to play small ball against a bunch of guys that score......screw the defense and put nothing but guys that can shoot.

Bruce can make his incredible three point shots very easily...I believe in Game 7 against Dallas, he scored 3 three point shots...That helped to prevent us from trailing by as much as 30 points...we trailed by 20 points instead...

[ShoogarBear]

The fact is that Bruce has to start slowing down. He's violated all biological laws by essentially improving ever aspect of his offensive game over the past four years while losing none of his defense; there will almost certainly be a decline in the next year or two.

If the Spurs can find a more traditional 3 with young legs, I'm all for transitioning Bruce to the bench (and squeeze an extra year or so out of him). Problem is, I just don't see who that would be.

[greens]

The fact is that Bruce has to start slowing down. He's violated all biological laws by essentially improving ever aspect of his offensive game over the past four years while losing none of his defense; there will almost certainly be a decline in the next year or two.

If the Spurs can find a more traditional 3 with young legs, I'm all for transitioning Bruce to the bench (and squeeze an extra year or so out of him). Problem is, I just don't see who that would be.

Really good defensive players are very hard to find. Especially to be nearly as good as Bruce is, that's difficult to find. There a ton of high scoring players, but just a few really good defenders...

[ShoogarBear]

Oh, yeah. We're not going to find another Bruce Bowen.

But if we find a capable defender with a better-rounded offensive game, the Spurs will be better for having them both.

Nobody would complain if we had, say, Josh Howard groomed to start for Bruce this year.

[Old School Chic]

Oh, yeah. We're not going to find another Bruce Bowen.
But if we find a capable defender with a better-rounded offensive game, the Spurs will be better for having them both.

Nobody would complain if we had, say, Josh Howard groomed to start for Bruce this year.

[greens]

Oh, yeah. We're not going to find another Bruce Bowen.

But if we find a capable defender with a better-rounded offensive game, the Spurs will be better for having them both.

Nobody would complain if we had, say, Josh Howard groomed to start for Bruce this year.

Yeah, I see what you're saying...But I don't know...It would make me too nervous if another player came on the Spurs to be groomed to be the next Bruce...It's like the saying "out with the old, in with the new"...Then I'd be worried that the Spurs might trade Bruce or not give him another contract or something like that...Plus I just don't see Bruce showing his age for at least few more good years...He is very fit and really works hard at keeping good diet and working out. I think he still has years before he retires...But yeah, it would be a good idea to groom someone to be like him...But I think right now it's way too early to do that...Maybe in two years or something like that...