if anyone can slow Allen, it may be archenemy Bowen
By TIM KORTE, AP Sports Writer
May 5, 2005
SEATTLE (AP) -- Ray Allen took a seat on a water bucket after practice Thursday, and it wasn't long before he was asked about Bruce Bowen.
``It's going to be a key matchup, definitely,'' Allen said as the Seattle SuperSonics prepared to play the San Antonio Spurs.
But it's actually so much more.
ADVERTISEMENT
Making the showdown between one of the NBA's best shooters and best defenders even more interesting is Allen's distaste for Bowen, a former friend.
The Western Conference semifinal series starts Sunday in San Antonio.
Allen averaged 32.4 points as the Seattle SuperSonics eliminated Sacramento in five games, but Bowen has been the one defender who most flummoxes Seattle's five-time All-Star guard. He stays on Allen's hip like a parasite every time they play, needling his way into Allen's head.
``It's the stuff he does that referees don't see,'' Allen said. ``He pulls on you. He grabs you. He hits your elbow when you shoot. When you go to the basket, he'll shove you and then he'll fall.
``Just stuff like that that's real annoying. That's not really basketball.''
Bowen has always maintained he's simply doing his job by stopping the other team's best offensive player. He's been named to the NBA's last four All-Defensive Teams, and a fifth appearance should be a lock when the award is announced next week.
``They have one of the hottest players in the league right now with Ray Allen,'' Bowen said after the Spurs eliminated Denver on Wednesday. ``We will have to come up with a good game plan to stop them.''
Bowen has done it before.
After an especially frustrating 3-for-12 shooting performance against the Spurs in February 2004, Allen was angry in the locker room. He said he wanted to fight Bowen and accused him of playing ``sissy basketball.''
The last time they squared off, a win by the Spurs on March 30, Allen iced his thumb afterward and implied Bowen had injured him during a 6-for-17 night. But for Seattle to advance, Allen knows he'll just have to ignore his nemesis.
``Oddly enough, Bruce used to be a good friend of mine -- used to be,'' Allen said. ``We used to hang out in the summertime until he started playing a brand new brand of basketball.''
Sonics coach Nate McMillan has no concerns about the matchup getting ugly. He praised Bowen's aggression and ability to avoid screens.
``Ray will be OK,'' McMillan said. ``Ray has played against him a number of times and knows what he wants to do. And we know what we've got to do. We've got to set screens. We've got to get him open, just as we did in this last series.''
Allen has momentum. He scored 75 points and shot 60 percent from the field over the final two games against Sacramento, which included an exciting 45-point scoring effort on the road in Game 4.
``He's the guy,'' San Antonio's Manu Ginobili said. ``He's playing great right now. We're going to have to take care of him and guard him tough. Bruce will be guarding him, but it will have to be a team effort.''
The Spurs are certain to gear their defense to stop Allen, much as they did against Carmelo Anthony in the first round.
``I don't foresee it being as easy as it was before,'' Allen said. ``We're going to have to work.''
Why doesn't Ray just shutup and play?
He's a good player; he can just let his game speak for itself. He had a great two first games this year against Bowen. He sat out the third one and then had to start with his stupid talk after getting owned in the fourth game. He should have just shutup. He was up on Bowen 2-1 for the season.
Look at Bowen being quiet and modest and playing the game while, Ray Allen talks smack. Bowen what a role model type of player, keeps his mouth quiet and does his job.
WTF!? Of course the refs will see a grab and pull does he think the refs are blind. And every player does the tapping on the elbow thing, it's good strategy!``It's the stuff he does that referees don't see,'' Allen said. ``He pulls on you. He grabs you.
yeah right
bruce doesnt let punks get inside his head ray will be shutdown
And the whinning begins...damn, are the Spurs going to face an opponent who doesn't cry like a baby in the playoffs?
Bowen hasn't done anything and the crying is already begun, he's more worse than a fusion of George Karl, Martin, Carmelo.
I figured that Allen would start ing and moaning like a little Karl before the first game, but figured he'd at least wait til' the weekend to start.
Coward.
Is it not true that more than one team or player have complained about Bowen's defense? Maybe Bowen is a dirty player and no Spurs fans want to admit it.
what a in punk.
Sure, both Ray Allen and Vince Carter have complained after getting owned. Bowen is damn crafty, but he doesn't punch people in the stomach as Ray has said. There's no defending a stupid claim like that.Is it not true that more than one team or player have complained about Bowen's defense? Maybe Bowen is a dirty player and no Spurs fans want to admit it.
Nope, because they have either Dallas or Phoenix waiting for them after this. I don't guess I remember Detroit fans crying, they just throw . Nobody could possibly be worse than Denver.
Could they?
And another curse word from TPARK....
All the pussies complain. You don't see TMac, Kobe, Lebron, Melo ... saying diddly. The biggest pussy of them all is Allen. He can't stand any contact. He thinks he should just be allowed to shoot without anyone touching him. I's going to be a very whiny series.Is it not true that more than one team or player have complained about Bowen's defense? Maybe Bowen is a dirty player and no Spurs fans want to admit it.
if i had big strong dude on my nuts for 40 min i would whine too, but its legal, if it wasnt he'd foul out, the fact is that he's a SUPERIOR perimeter defender and they get shutdown, so they
*sniffle*
I'm surprised at Ray Allen, I really thought he'd bite his tongue this time around.
He'll get a few more calls against Bowen just for doing this, but it won't matter in the end.
Spurs in 5.
sure a couple of guys have complained, but only the squeaky wheel gets the grease. To me, it's far more telling that you never hear persistent complaints like these from guys like Kobe Bryant or Tracy McGrady. Those dudes just shut up and play, no matter what else people want to think about them. Their recourse against Bowen is to try to up their games, rather than ing in the media and hoping for more bail outs.
Of course, Ray has been tutored by the reigning master of going to the media with your ing, so maybe that explains why we're even talking about this.
It's the freakin' playoffs -- just play.
This is nothing more than an early strike by Ray Allen to get the refs watching Bowen closer. It worked for George Karl in the Denver series and it will work against Seattle I have no doubt. Either way, the Spurs play TEAM defense and although Bowen gets the most props for being our "shut down" defender we have two other guys who we can throw at Allen who can shut him down (Ginobilli, Brown when healthy). I think the key to slowing down Ray Allen is making HIM work on defense. Make him run around all the screens all day and wear him out. That has been just as effective against him as great on ball defense.
Im not worried at all.
Actually, I don't think anyone on Phoenix has whined or complained about Bowen. Marion plays very similar, also very good D, so I think he and Bowen respect each other. And Nash knows he doesn't know how or want to play D, and that good defensive players can shut him down.
Allen is just trying to do what Karl did and prep the refs. Bowen's smart enough how to play to the way the refs call the game, each and every night. We'll be fine. Allen's showing his fear. He's a big overrated glamour shot and he knows it.
in A.And another curse word from TPARK....
Thats it, you're cut off. Just stop, now.
Marion does play good defense.
Stop telling people they are cut off Forum police. STFU.
i had a great idea for a tv show where i was a retired umpire who bartended, at the center of the earth
"we dont get many of you molton rock guys down here"
"well at these prices im not surprised"
"thats it, yoooouuuurrrrrrrrrrreee outta here!!!!!!!"
Look around, dumbass. This isn't the ing Disney Channel.And another curse word from TPARK....
Sounds like Ray's strained ovary is acting up again.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
