Bowen works hard before U.S. tryouts

[furry_spurry]

She doesn't work for the Spurs.

Thought she did. Why does it say "ss&e owns me" then?

Either way- I lost a lot of respect for Bruce- you just don't make public comments like that about a friend. You make them in private unless you are doing FO damage control.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I actually was disappointed in Bruce today- something I have never said. I thought his comments about Nazr were tacky, and he appeared to be a a pawn of the Spurs public relations machine.

Ever stop to think that maybe Nazr and Bowen had talked and Nazr had told him how much he loved the team, his teammates, etc. and wanted to be here for the rest of his career, only to turn around and leave?

Especially when it's to a team that you went head to head for a le with, and one that you could see again?

I'll cut you some slack, you've probably never played compe ive sports in your life, because you obviously don't understand.

[velik_m]

And we all know who you work for.

People have missed the entire point. It is about having two sets of standards. If you are disappointed about losing a teammate- you would be disappointed about it however you lose him. But Bruce towed the company line when Rasho was traded-- was he saying how upset he was then about the decision by the Spurs- no. He was talking about it being a business. Well, Nazr made a business decision to go where he not only would get paid more, but where he felt he was actually WANTED. Who's to blame him? Don't you think maybe the lack of loyalty Nazr watched the Spurs display to Malik and Rasho influenced his own feelings and opinions about the Spurs? Maybe watchig the whole Scola fiasco from up close impacted his views and his belief that the Spurs only look out for themselves- so why shouldn't he?

exactly, spurs must show loyalty, if they expect loyalty from others. Who's to say Nazr's contract wouldn't suddenly become a burden to spurs or they would simply trade him away for someone they think would be a better fit. And then Nazr would end up in a crapy team with less money and no shot at championship. It's buisness - he took more money, and hopefully he will be more appreciated in Detroit.

[furry_spurry]

If that were the case, wouldn't Bruce have spoken from his heart when Rasho got traded and said how upset he was- Rasho was here longer than Nazr and they had been through more together than Bruce and Nazr had. They went through 0.4 together... Did you ever think maybe Rasho loved his teammates and they loved him? If Bruce had not said what he said when Rasho was traded, I might cut him some slack, but he went on about it being a business and not personal... Well, you can't have it both ways. Is it a business or is it personal?

As for compe ive sports, I have played them- had family members and close friends play them- and been a part of them my entire life. Teams use the player for whatever purposes they have at the time and easily discard them when they are through.

Who's to say Nazr's contract wouldn't suddenly become a burden to spurs or they would simply trade him away for someone they think would be a better fit. And then Nazr would end up in a crapy team with less money and no shot at championship.

EXACTLY. It happened to Malik, who was here a long time and well-loved- and it happened to Rasho who took $10M less to come here, so why would Nazr think it wouldn't happen to him, as well.

[spurschick]

Thought she did. Either way- I lost a lot of respect for Bruce- you just don't make public comments like that about a friend. You make them in private unless you are doing FO damage control.

Unless you tapped Bruce's phone or planted a chip in his head to monitor his every move and word, you have no idea what kind of relationship he had with Nazr or any kind of conversation they had leading up to Nazr's departure. I understand your knee-jerk reaction to Bruce's comments, but you should take a moment to realize that you don't know any of the backstory.

[ChumpDumper]

Damn, folks take these things way too seriously.

[greens]

Thought she did. Either way- I lost a lot of respect for Bruce- you just don't make public comments like that about a friend. You make them in private unless you are doing FO damage control.

There is a huge difference between Nazr WANTING to leave...and Rasho being TRADED...One is a choice, the other one is a requirement...

Nazr was offered an extension earlier this year from the Spurs, and he had turned it down. Even though, he was able to win one championship with the Spurs and has been given good amount of money. But just like a lot of other players, he wanted more money. That's his choice. But you've got to admit that your teammates who count on you will be very disappointed if you CHOOSE to leave knowing that you are needed very much so.

Bruce is not a pawn of anyone...He speaks his mind, always. And if anyone knows him, they know that he is very honest. He means what he says. Many peope forget that Bruce had AGREED to take TWO paycuts for the GOOD of the team (so that Manu could be signed years ago, etc..), he had ALWAYS puts his team and what they need first and foremost. That's a vary rare quality in basketball players. Many players just want to get paid and don't really care about their team, their community, etc...So I think in his eyes, Nazr did not consider his team...He wanted more money and so he left, very simple. By the way, I've always liked Nazr a great deal and I am very sad to see him go. But I just see WHY Bruce would be disappointed since the Spurs are known for being a TEAM, where everyone sacrifices, and where there are no individuals...So he expressed his dissapointment in Nazr leaving...There is nothing wrong with that...Nazr could have acted like Bruce, and agreed to sign that extension for whatever amount of money the Spurs were able to give him at the time...

As for Rasho, that's a different story. Rasho is a very nice guy, but is he REALLY worth all that money? I don't think so. He was traded for the GOOD of the team, so his LONG/HIGH paying contract would finally be dissolved...and we would be able to get more players and more contracts. That's the way I see it. There was nothing personal about that. It was more about his contract which has caused the Spurs organizations a lot of trouble as it is...


Anyway, thanks to the poster for posting this awesome article! I just can't believe that some people are able to criticize it...

Regardless, Bruce is and will always be a class act. GO BRUCE! He's awesome!

[Bob Lanier]

Damn, isn't there a clause in his contract that Bowen can't waste the final years of his career by burning himself out in the summer?

[spurschick]

Damn, isn't there a clause in his contract that Bowen can't waste the final years of his career by burning himself out in the summer?

He wouldn't be so busy if he didn't love giving back. I wouldn't call it burnout if you love what you're doing.

[myhc]

Well then,

C Stoudemire/Bosh
PF Howard/Brand/Marion
SF James/Anthony/Bowen
SG Wade/Johnson
PG Paul/Arenas
IR Morrison
IR2 Ridnour
IR3 J. Howard

Do you guys see Amare playing? I know he's in summer leagues now and getting into game shape but he's still not 100% by all accounts. I wonder if he will be by August because with Kobe out now, we're going to need him.

[Doc Jerome]

Class Act.

[furry_spurry]

There is a huge difference between Nazr WANTING to leave...and Rasho being TRADED...One is a choice, the other one is a requirement...

Nazr was offered an extension earlier this year from the Spurs, and he had turned it down. Even though, he was able to win one championship with the Spurs and has been given good amount of money. But just like a lot of other players, he wanted more money. That's his choice. But you've got to admit that your teammates who count on you will be very disappointed if you CHOOSE to leave knowing that you are needed very much so.

Bruce is not a pawn of anyone...He speaks his mind, always. And if anyone knows him, they know that he is very honest. He means what he says. Many peope forget that Bruce had AGREED to take TWO paycuts for the GOOD of the team (so that Manu could be signed years ago, etc..), he had ALWAYS puts his team and what they need first and foremost. That's a vary rare quality in basketball players. Many players just want to get paid and don't really care about their team, their community, etc...So I think in his eyes, Nazr did not consider his team...He wanted more money and so he left, very simple. By the way, I've always liked Nazr a great deal and I am very sad to see him go. But I just see WHY Bruce would be disappointed since the Spurs are known for being a TEAM, where everyone sacrifices, and where there are no individuals...So he expressed his dissapointment in Nazr leaving...There is nothing wrong with that...Nazr could have acted like Bruce, and agreed to sign that extension for whatever amount of money the Spurs were able to give him at the time...

As for Rasho, that's a different story. Rasho is a very nice guy, but is he REALLY worth all that money? I don't think so. He was traded for the GOOD of the team, so his LONG/HIGH paying contract would finally be dissolved...and we would be able to get more players and more contracts. That's the way I see it. There was nothing personal about that. It was more about his contract which has caused the Spurs organizations a lot of trouble as it is...


Anyway, thanks to the poster for posting this awesome article! I just can't believe that some people are able to criticize it...

Regardless, Bruce is and will always be a class act. GO BRUCE! He's awesome!

Again- you have missed the whole issue of the double standard.

You are saying-- Nazr leaves of HIS own choice= BAD Nazr
Rasho leaves because of the Spurs choice= GOOD Spurs

The team is permitted to be selfish and do whatever it wants, but the players are supposed to sacrifice??

As for all the stories about the money Bruce sacrificed- I remind people- Rasho left $10M in Minnesota to join the Spurs. Was this financial sacrifice rewarded with loyalty- no. Why then should Nazr make the same sacrifice? So in a couple of years he can be blasted for having a burdensome contract- that is actually less than what he was offered by another team- and then be traded to some team that hasn't made the play-offs in years.

I am amazed that anyone who watched the Spurs this season up close and personal could in any way be surprised that Nazr left. That is why I found Bruce's comments disingenuous.

[angel_luv]

I hope Bruce has a fantastic olympic experience. I think he is great.

[angel_luv]

Training camp begins Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Team planning to work hard and play hard, eh?

[greens]

I hope Bruce has a fantastic olympic experience. I think he is great.

I would love to see him guard Manu...That would be great! This is so exciting!

[GrandeDavid]

I simply cannot wait for the World Championships to start just to see Bowen play. I hope he's valued by the coaches and gets some minutes.

[Obstructed_View]

I would love to see him guard Manu...That would be great! This is so exciting!

I hope they talk trash to each other the whole time, too.

[raspsa]

One can understand BB's enthusiasm for his once-in-a-lifetime to compete for a slot on the US team. I wish him luck and just hope he doesn't get injured and has enough gas in the tank come next season.

[CaptainLate]

I think we're all in agreement that Bruce Bowen is a class act.

Yes...but I hope he doesn't make it. He needs to rest his 35 yr old body. If he makes it and is a step slower in the '06-'07 season, we're in trouble.

[greens]

Yes...but I hope he doesn't make it. He needs to rest his 35 yr old body. If he makes it and is a step slower in the '06-'07 season, we're in trouble.

I wouldn't worry about that...He's is considered one of the best conditioned players in the NBA. He knows exeptionally well how to take care of his body/etc...

Plus it is indeed his once in a lifetime opportunity to play in the World Nationals/Olympics/etc...He definitely might not ever get the chance to do that...Plus Manu was able to win the Olympic medal, and then have enough energy to help us get the win in 2005...

I hope he makes it and just takes really good care of himself...Cuz I agree we REALLY need him at his best in order for us to even have a shot at winning another championship this upcoming year...So yeah, I'm happy for him...just please don't get injured or over work yourself, Bruce!