Spurs' Bowen adds to Dallas' frustration

[loveforthegame]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.d005cbd.html

Spurs' Bowen adds to Dallas' frustration

Web Posted: 05/22/2006 12:13 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

As Bruce Bowen walked off the court moments after Friday's 91-86 victory over Dallas in Game 6, his path took him right past Mark Cuban.

When he got within earshot of the Mavericks' feisty owner, Bowen was startled when Cuban swore at him, a coarse, two-word curse whose meaning was unmistakable.

Bowen said he was too startled to respond. On reflection, he considers it something of a backhanded compliment but also believes the harsh words help define Cuban.

"It's him," Bowen said. "I was caught off guard by it, but it speaks a lot to me about who he is."

Bowen's goal for tonight's Game 7, to be played at the AT&T Center: Keep Cuban's curses coming, as long as they come out of frustration.

He has been scoreless in the past two games, but Bowen has frustrated several Mavericks with his defensive work. He has played 39 and 35 minutes in the Spurs' victories in Games 5 and 6, while taking only one shot in two games.

The leading vote getter in balloting by the league's head coaches for the NBA's All-Defensive team, Bowen has been able to focus more on defending Dallas' Josh Howard rather than Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki. That is because former Mavericks captain Michael Finley has done the bulk of the defensive work on Nowitzki and has been effective enough to keep Spurs coach Gregg Popovich from having to put Bowen on him.

With Bowen hounding him, Howard has scored only 41 points the past three games after scoring 56 in the first three games. He made only 7 of 17 shots in Game 6.

The defensive effort by Finley and Bowen has gone a long way toward explaining the Spurs' back-to-back victories.

"Whereas Josh can do other things, as far as being crafty, where Fin isn't reading his moves as I could read them, Dirk is getting into a position where he can shoot the ball," Bowen said. "It's easier for a guy to defend that, as compared to the athletic guys who are crafty."

Bowen has offered some suggestions to Finley about defending Nowitzki, who replaced Tim Duncan as a first-team All-NBA selection this season. Finley, however, is no "Edward Scissorhands," as Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson sometimes refers to Bowen.

"Bruce is first-team All-Defense," Finley said. "I'm about 30th team. There's no conversation there. He tells me tips.

"During our scouting report, different situations, I might pick his brain or ask him how he might defend a particular play. But Bruce is a unique kind of perimeter defender. Things he can get away with, I can't, because of his expertise at the position."

Finley, one of the league's better perimeter shooters, has played 47, 44 and 45 minutes the past three games. That helps to explain why Bowen has gotten off only one shot in the past two games.

The defensive specialist is content to play without the ball while the Mavericks aren't double-teaming one of his teammates by leaving him open.

"Luckily, Bruce is not a selfish individual," Popovich said. "He's not going to go home and say, 'I'm not getting any touches.' He just continues to play defense, and if he's not available, he's not available. It just means somebody else is."

[greens]

Brucie is a class act. And yup, Mark Cuban, cursing him only makes matters worse for himself. I'm glad Bruce did not respond to such stupidity...Let Mark have the talk, while the Spurs do the walk...

And I love Pop's comments about Brucie...Not one player on the Spurs is selfish and desires spotlight! They all want to win, but as a team...Brucie knows his job is mainly to be the best defensive player...it's to guard great shooters and make sure they don't take make easy shots...Brucie really is not a selfish individual...He just wants the best for his team...And as for Cuban, I'm going to repeat what Timmy said: "I've got nothing to say to Mark Cuban. Not a thing"...Looks like all the Spurs players follow Timmy's example...

[Shank]

Jesus, Cuban. Must you ALWAYS act like a ing idiot? Guy takes this stuff way too personal.

Props to Bowen. He's rabid as out there. I'll even ignore all the elbow-tapping

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Cuban is digging a hole for himself with each passing game. What the is that for a man of his position? I understand he loves the aspect being the Mavs #1 fan and all, but that's just no class whatsoever.

[SA Gunslinger]

Cuban cursed at Bruce?

What a ing head!

[Dalamar_the_Dark]

I'm sorry but I think Nazr is selfish. He must have said something about his mins to be put in the dog house. If we make it to the next round and Pop still doesnt use him. I guess its cheerios to him. I never expected Nazr to be resigned anyway. I'll be surprised if our FO gets him.

[sghspurs]

hey cuban, the beatles called and they want their hairstyle back.

[zeleni]

I'm sorry but I think Nazr is selfish. He must have said something about his mins to be put in the dog house. If we make it to the next round and Pop still doesnt use him. I guess its cheerios to him. I never expected Nazr to be resigned anyway. I'll be surprised if our FO gets him.

Different thread but a great point. There is even an article on this forum about him ing, i think.

[picnroll]

Jesus, Cuban. Must you ALWAYS act like a ing idiot? Guy takes this stuff way too personal.

Props to Bowen. He's rabid as out there. I'll even ignore all the elbow-tapping

Bowen didn't take it personally, he just said "It's him," Bowen said. "I was caught off guard by it, but it speaks a lot to me about who he is." Duncan said "I have nothing to say to Mark Cuban. Not a thing."

What you are witnessing Shank is a class organization, class playrs dealing with a skank individual.Cuabn appeals to a certain type of Dallas fan with a certain type of mentality. The intelligent Dallas fans are thoroughly embarrassed by him and the way he represents the team and the city. Some intelligent fans enjoy the team play and hold their noses while they watch it.

[CosmicCowboy]

Bowen didn't take it personally, he just said "It's him," Bowen said. "I was caught off guard by it, but it speaks a lot to me about who he is." Duncan said "I have nothing to say to Mark Cuban. Not a thing."

What you are witnessing Shank is a class organization, class playrs dealing with a skank individual.Cuabn appeals to a certain type of Dallas fan with a certain type of mentality. The intelligent Dallas fans are thoroughly embarrassed by him and the way he represents the team and the city. Some intelligent fans enjoy the team play and hold their noses while they watch it.

Back in the day I knew a few guys that got in over their head with Coke. Cuban acts like that. The highs/lows, irrational and agressive behavior on the up's etc.

[ducks]

cuban thanking you for ticking off mike and now bowen
also thank you for having stackhouse and ticking off duncan

[SpursWoman]

Cuban makes me appreciate the Spur's management & players even more. You never hear anything from Holt...Pop always shows the utmost respect for opposing teams...and I never hear that kind of stuff from our players.

I used to really admire Cuban for what he's done to bring that franchise back to life, but does he ever STFU? That's bad sportsmanship with a capital BS.

[picnroll]

Maybe they should start drug testng owners.

[Jimcs50]

Cuban acts like we do in the game blog every game....that is unbelievable.

[nkdlunch]

Please broadcasters, show Cuban's brokeback face after we finish the Mavs tonight. It will be priceless.

Cuban is that family member who embarrases you 'cause he acts so trashy. I'm sure the NBA is embarrased of this fool

[FromWayDowntown]

I wonder if the comment to Bruce had any correlation to the sober and direct nature Duncan's post-game comment about Cuban.

Whatever, it would appear that Cuban is renting some of his brain from the Spurs; the Spurs clearly own the property.

[mavsfan1000]

Cuban's personality adds a lot to the sport. I don't get all the Cuban hate. So what that he cussed at Bowen. Bowen is a .

[fyatuk]

Cuban's personality adds a lot to the sport. I don't get all the Cuban hate. So what that he cussed at Bowen. Bowen is a .

I love Cuban as an owner. I love owners who are major fans and get involved with at least the press coverage of the team. Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban are 2 of the best owners in sports, especially when they piss everyone off.

I tell, I couldn't pick Holt out of a lineup.

[picnroll]

Cuban is doing everything to the sport that Don King does for boxing. What McMahon does for wrestling but McMahon's act is appropriate for that circus. You don't need a moron owner to make the sport popular. Leave the popularity building to Wade, LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, et. al. to take care of the popularity and the dignity of the sport.


Stern is trying to popularize the NBA worldwide. Some countries, I'm beginning to think most, have more intelligent fans who expect some degree of respect and dignity in their sport. I wonder if Stern is thrilled with Cuban's effort to turn the NBA into the world's clown league.

Was there always a large base of stupid fans in Dallas or did Cuban create them? Chicken - egg.

[1Parker1]

What a jerk. No reason to curse a player out in the face like that after a loss. Props to Bruce for being a man about it and not retaliating...there are many other players in the NBA who would have.

[DarrinS]

Cuban curses at Bruce, but complains in his "blog" that S.A. has the rudest fans?

o Pot, I'm Kettle. Have we met.

What a freakin hypocrite. Take your 3-stooges, Moe-looking, whiney-ass self back to "big D" after your choke job tonight.

<pardon my language>

[DarrinS]

I love Cuban as an owner. I love owners who are major fans and get involved with at least the press coverage of the team. Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban are 2 of the best owners in sports, especially when they piss everyone off.

I tell, I couldn't pick Holt out of a lineup.

Why should the owners have "visibility" during games. Jerry Jones, Mark Cuban, and their ilk, have such HUGE EGOS, that they crave the spotlight. Cuban is such an egomaniac that he actually thinks people are instested in his little online diatribe. I actually think his little "rants" are hurting his team.

[nkdlunch]

I tell, I couldn't pick Holt out of a lineup.

that's the way all team owners should be. Why the would you want team owners to be popular and recognizable???? they are the ing owners not celebrities!

[picnroll]

that's the way all team owners should be. Why the would you want team owners to be popular and recognizable???? they are the ing owners not celebrities!

Don't tell Cuban that. He thinks the player's are the sideshow and he's the main act.

[tlongII]

I don't know what Bowen plays, but it ain't basketball.