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Very admirable. Sometimes NBA basketball players can't handle accepting personal fault.Bowen repeatedly stressed the importance of personal accountability and the will to prepare physically and mentally.
David Flores: Bowen works hard before U.S. tryouts
Web Posted: 07/14/2006 10:36 PM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.167070a.html
San Antonio Express-News
A 10-year NBA veteran, Spurs forward Bruce Bowen learned early in his career that resiliency and a strong work ethic are just as essential to a player's success as physical skills.
"You have to keep going no matter how tough it might seem," Bowen said Friday.
Even after turning 35 last month, Bowen remains one of the NBA's top defenders and best-conditioned players.
You haven't really watched a Spurs game until you've focused on Bowen and seen him relentlessly hound such high-scoring players as Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
If Bowen were a track athlete, he would be a marathon runner.
"I never ran track in high school, but I always had a lot of endurance," he said after speaking at a Spurs youth camp at Saint Mary's Hall.
Bowen, who lives in Miami in the offseason, returned to San Antonio last week to continue preparing for his quest to make the U.S. team that will play in the World Championships next month in Japan.
Training camp begins Wednesday in Las Vegas.
To hear Bowen tell it, it can't get here fast enough.
"I'm very, very excited because I don't think there's a greater honor than representing your country," Bowen said. "I'm really looking forward to the tryouts. I've been like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can't wait."
Bowen is just the kind of team player the Yanks need to be successful against the vastly improved international compe ion.
He's always understood his role and doesn't have a problem with getting a limited number of shot opportunities.
Moreover, Bowen can inspire a team with his defensive energy.
"I don't know if I'll make the team, but I'm going to give it all I've got," Bowen said. "You can't be afraid to fail and compete."
An affable guy with a nice sense of humor, Bowen was a hit with his audience Friday. He spoke for about 20 minutes and took questions from the boys and girls in the camp.
Among other things, Bowen expressed his thoughts on the disappointment of falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals and the challenge of guarding 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki.
"The worst loss was the last loss to Dallas," Bowen said, referring to the Mavericks' 119-111 overtime victory in Game 7. "We should have won, but it didn't happen."
Bowen said the defeat has given him added incentive during offseason workouts.
"I've always taken the approach that I can learn from mistakes," he said. "A disappointing loss like we had against Dallas can be a motivating factor. You go back and think of things you could have done to help your team win."
Bowen talked about the thin margin that often separates victory and defeat, using the Mavericks' 104-103 victory over the Spurs in Game 3 as an example.
Nowitzki, guarded by Bowen, hit two free throws with 7.9 seconds left after being fouled while rebounding a missed shot by Jerry Stackhouse.
"Had I boxed out Dirk in Game 3, we would have won the game," he said. "But I got caught watching Stackhouse's shot, and Dirk beat me to the basket. He got inside position on me, and there was nothing I could do."
Bowen repeatedly stressed the importance of personal accountability and the will to prepare physically and mentally.
"I don't think I'm a great basketball player, but I try to get better each season and take pride in working hard," he said.
Turning to the Spurs' offseason, Bowen expressed confidence the team's front office will sign a center to replace Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed.
"Sometimes guys step up," he said. "There's not a need to panic."
Bowen might consider becoming a motivational speaker after he retires from pro basketball. Considering how he kept his audience's attention Friday, he would do quite well.
And get better each year.
Very admirable. Sometimes NBA basketball players can't handle accepting personal fault.Bowen repeatedly stressed the importance of personal accountability and the will to prepare physically and mentally.
I think we're all in agreement that Bruce Bowen is a class act.
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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. When Rasho got traded, Bruce was all over the news talking about how it is a business and players have to understand, but when Nazr chooses to leave, all the sudden it is personal and Bruce is disappointed in Nazr-- because his teammate chose to go elsewhere- that the Spurs got him a championship and he bolted to Detroit. As I said in the other thread- if it's just a business to the owners than why can't it be just a job to the players?? Management can look out for the bottom line and that is acceptable but a player who looks out for himself is greedy and selfish. It just appeared to me to be a response to the public concerns about the off-season and so they get Bruce to talk about how the Spurs expected Nazr to come back and are so upset with him for his betrayal. It seemed an attempt to deflect the blame off the Spurs and place it at Nazr's feet- ironic given that Bruce was talking about taking responsibility.
If I'm not mistaken his major is in public relations (something along those lines) and I'm not surprised he would act as a quasi mouthpiece for the Spurs. It wouldn't surprise me if once he retires he takes up a position in the front office in some form.
Bruce is one of my favorite Spurs ever and you cant discount the importance he has on this team. Awesome guy in all ways.
All the accolades he earns in this league will be well earned after all the hard work he has put in.
Bruce might make the U.S. team now that many have begged off including-Paul Pierce, Billups, Odom bec. of his child's death, Redd who's getting married, Red and even Oden bec of fractured wrists.
hope he can make it, it excites me to watch the World with more Spurs playing.
Rasho didn't decide to leave the Spurs, he got traded. Nazr made the choice to leave the Spurs, the team that got him out of the hole also known as the Knicks organization. I'm sure that Nazr has bonded with the rest of the Spurs players and management for the past season and a half leading to a closeknit brotherhood. So I'd feel pissed to if one of my 'bros' left my side. Ya feels me?
bruce is the man. i gain more respect for him every time he's interviewed.
i want them to ask Bruce what's his game plan on how to stop Manu or slow Tony?
Bruce speaks for himself.
Rasho will kick his ass!
you bet?Rasho will kick his ass!
Hopefully he can win DPOY this year he's been very close the last 2 years and Ben's team is unlikely to win 64 games again. Artest will campaign for himself and get a lot of votes but it would be nice to see him win it at least once in his career.
Sorry Ben, after reading that, Bruce should've been DPOY. [Yeah, I'm still pissed]. Bruce strives for his team.
thought his comments about Nazr were tacky, and he appeared to be a a pawn of the Spurs public relations machine
Bowen just pawn in game of life....
Not tacky at all, he spoke the truth.
But of course, with everything, you have your head up your "ownership hating" ass.
Bruce is not a "quasi mouthpiece" or a part of any "public relations machine" other than that he steps up to represent in the community whenever he can. He has been back to California and Miami already this summer and has continued his Get Fit with Bruce and Buddy program here, including yesterday at Spectrum Rogers Ranch. He truly gives his time and energy back and does so because he wants to. If he were a pawn of the FO, you would have heard him toe the company line on Nazr, but he spoke his mind and his heart and I have nothing but respect for him.
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
Last edited by #1elliottfan; 07-15-2006 at 09:21 AM.
there's no IR, 12 players that's it.
Well then cut those.
Anybody who will send me a Bruce Bowen Jersey will be loved by me
Speaking of the USA team, I'm glad Kirk Hinrich decided to try out after all. He's def better than Ridnour... I'd like to see a PG duo of Paul/Hinrich, while moving Arenas to backup Wade up at SG.
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?
Last edited by furry_spurry; 07-15-2006 at 11:16 AM.
She doesn't work for the Spurs.And we all know who you work for.
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