Reply With Quote
Yes for Bruce.
Bowen - Yes Sir
Yes for Bruce.
Funny ... that's the same question I asked myself.
When Bowen's jersey is retired, I think they'll be a real case for him going down as the fourth best Spur in the franchise's history. He's no doubt the most underappreciated play in Spurs history.
This past season, a good amount of my regular season posts were in regards to beating back the Bowen haters. A good portion of Spurs fans thought he had lost a step or that his offense had regressed to the point that it hurt the Spurs. And when Bowen retires, they'll be those who will look at the stats and wonder why his jersey is being retired.
The truth is Bowen might have more to do with the Spurs winning their last three championships than any player outside of Tim Duncan. Ginobili and Parker and Parker have to be in contention, but the case can be made for Bowen. Bowen has remained consistent throughout the years while Ginobili and Parker were finding their way. Ginobili was decent in 2003, was awesome in 2005 and good in 2007. Parker was pretty good in 2003, good in 2005 and very good in 2007. Bowen, on the other hand, was consistently good through each of the three championships.
Of non-center, Bowen has to go down as one of the best defenders of all-time. You have Bowen, Michael Cooper, Satch Sanders, Dave DeBusschere, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and who else? That's pretty elite company.
What's underrated about Bowen, however, is his clutchness. In every single season as a Spur, he's shot for a better three-point percentage in the playoffs than he did in the regular season. Every single year. To me that's a pretty amazing stat. This year, his three-pointer against the Suns in Game 6 was the clutchest shot of the entire playoffs.
Bowen is the type of player that won't be missed until his gone. Then when that feeling wears off, Spurs fans will wonder why the #12 is in the rafters. Little will they know . . .
As Kori so eloquently stated, the Spurs do not have three les without Bowen's contribution. He has arguably one of the toughest jobs in the league - night in and night out. Definite Yes to Bowen.
As for Gilmore, I witnessed his play up close during his 4-5 seasons with the Spurs. Those teams could never overcome the 80's Fakers. Even still, I'm very respectful to his contributions here. I vote Yes for him.
Bowen is for sure. After that I would put Kenon in front of Gilmore.
Bruce will not only have his jersey retired by the Spurs organization... but probably will enter the HOF... BOOK IT... he may have two more rings before retiring from the Spurs...
The HOF is for great players. To me, a jersey retirement is about a player whose career helped shape and define the team. It's a reward for the player, and a statement by the team that they want to ensure your legacy with the team lives on for the next generations of fans.
You can't talk about the 00's Spurs without talking about Bruce Bowen, just like you can't talk about the 80's Lakers without talking about Michael Cooper. Bowen has personified "Spurs Basketball" during the most successful era in team history.
Well put. That's always going to be the litmus test.
Bruce, Kenon & Mitc deserve to have their jerseys retired before AJ
and Johnny Moore.
In his firt year with the Spurs he missed 17 games because a injury. Spurs record was 8-9Bowen is the type of player that won't be missed until his gone.
When he went down I thought it'd be a great time for Jax to get minutes and then I realized how important Bruce was
Bruce is great
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
