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I feel for Bowen. I always knew that he was a constant victim of snubbing, but I never realized it was this bad.
Bowen disappointed at missing U.S. cut
Web Posted: 08/20/2006 12:25 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.33c9ee9.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The United States opened the World Championships early Saturday morning with a victory over Puerto Rico. Bruce Bowen wasn't among those watching.
The TV was off at Bowen's home in Miami. But not out of protest.
"I'm having a hard enough time," Bowen said, "just getting my regular sleep patterns back."
Cut from the U.S. roster last week, Bowen will get more time to rest than he would like.
"I'm not bitter or mad at anyone," he said. "I just wish I would have gotten a better opportunity to show I could be on the team."
During the team's training camp in Las Vegas, USA Basketball officials talked often about the importance of having role players on the roster. They complimented Bowen on being in the best shape of the 18 players. His defense and big-game experience, they said, would be needed in the World Championships.
Bowen began to realize that might not be the case after the team flew to Asia. He averaged only 10.3 minutes, the fewest of any player, in four exhibition games. He didn't play against Brazil, even after Carmelo Anthony hurt his knee in the second quarter and Dwyane Wade fouled out.
"That was obviously the telltale sign," Bowen said. "Carmelo's out, Dwyane's out and Antawn Jamison was out, and I don't get to play?
"That was disappointing. I know I could offer something to the team."
When Bowen stepped on the floor for the first exhibition game against Puerto Rico, he assumed he'd be guarding Carlos Arroyo, the team's top scorer. U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski, however, told him to take someone else.
"That was odd to me," Bowen said. "I've guarded Carlos plenty of times. If you've done your homework, you know I've guarded (all four guard and forward positions) at different times."
While many observers predicted Bowen would have to battle Houston's Shane Battier or Washington's Jamison for a place on the team, USA Basketball officials actually selected Sacramento center Brad Miller over Bowen for the last roster spot.
"We had two point guards and the four main players on the perimeter for us are Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Joe (Johnson)," Krzyzewski said. "We just felt with the playing time they're going to get we needed support in the back line. When we played Brazil and Lithuania, we needed depth there."
Bowen, 35, was the oldest player trying out. But Phoenix Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who put the team together, said Bowen's age wasn't a factor in his being left off the roster.
"We felt he had a good chance to make the team because of the skills he brought to the table," Colangelo said. "And he lasted a lot longer than other guys with bigger names."
Bowen appreciated the opportunity to represent his country and get to know some of his rivals as teammates. He also enjoyed the "spirit of compe ion" between the players during practice.
"You had some of the best players in the world," Bowen said. "It's not like you're out there playing pick-up with guys who don't know how to play."
Bowen was invited to remain in Japan and assist the coaching staff during the tournament, but he wanted to return home to his wife and 1-year-old son. Doing so allows him to catch up on his rest before traveling to South Africa next month for the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program.
Bowen said he's appreciated the support he's received from people who think it was a mistake to cut him. He's also spoken with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who expressed concern early on that Bowen might not receive a fair opportunity to make the team.
"Pop allowed me to vent a little," Bowen said.
This isn't the first time Bowen has been passed over. He was the runner-up to Ben Wallace for Defensive Player of the Year honors in each of the past two seasons. And despite ranking near the top of the league in 3-point accuracy, he's never been invited to participate in the All-Star shootout.
Getting cut from Team USA was just one more disappointment.
"Whenever I talk to kids, I always tell them to make sure they give 110 percent even if things aren't going their way," Bowen said. "This was a chance for me to see if I could practice what I preach. Even though I'm not playing and am frustrated, how would I react in practice?
"It was still about giving 110 percent. I owe that much to the game."
For now, Bowen plans to remain in the USA Basketball program, even though this was probably his best opportunity to play for the national team. He'll be 37 during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and a handful of other players who weren't able to participate this summer are expected to compete for roster spots.
"They asked for a three-year commitment and I gave them a three-year commitment," Bowen said. "I'm a man of my word."
Bowen said he won't be in front of the TV every night watching Team USA, but he'll follow its progress.
And if the United States plays Argentina for the gold medal? Would he be tempted to root for Manu Ginobili?
"I'm an American," Bowen said. "And I would like to see America regain our prominence at the World Championships.
"I just thought I could have contributed to that."
I feel for Bowen. I always knew that he was a constant victim of snubbing, but I never realized it was this bad.
I agree with Bowen that if his skills aren't wanted or needed he should go home and rest for the NBA season.
I'm glad he at least sort of called out coach K for not letting him guard Arroyo.
This whole situation just proves to the Pop haters, andshows them, how good he is....
When its all said and done I doubt Bowen would look back at his career in disappointment. He brings a lot more to basketball then just great defense. What Bowen does for the the game is reflected well off the court. Any athlete can lend his star power to a cause and be satisfied with just that. He's always bean involved with kids and various other charities."Whenever I talk to kids, I always tell them to make sure they give 110 percent even if things aren't going their way," Bowen said. "This was a chance for me to see if I could practice what I preach. Even though I'm not playing and am frustrated, how would I react in practice?
"It was still about giving 110 percent. I owe that much to the game."
I can understand his frustration with the cut. The guy is a great compe or and plays with heart. But he shouldn't be down about it for to long, hes established a pretty good career in the league that no one would be ashamed of.
Bruce is good people.
I'm hoping the U.S. will end up really missing Bruce this tournament and ask him to go to the Olympics.
Hey Angel, why don't you follow Bruce's lead eh?"I'm an American," Bowen said. "And I would like to see America regain our prominence at the World Championships.
Follow his lead. What are we dancing?
Oh you guys still going on about that patriotism crap?
Just thank god this country gives us the freedom to root for any sport team we want! That's what I love about this country. You can say F-You to the jerks who make mountains out of molehills.
By default if US goes head to head with Argentina, you pick your team. Which Bruce did, and Like Tony definitely did today.
I still remember after Duncan got his team's ass handed to him, he was on the sidelines with pop rooting for their friend the next day.
Why is disloyalty a presumed problem for Americans of non-European ancestry?
Colanglo usd Bowen. F'n Matrix will be lucky if he scores a point agaist the Spurs next year.
Does Colangelo care?
Well he is the Suns' general manager.
Yeah Natalie Maines, I am.Oh you guys still going on about that patriotism crap?
Don't listen to him, angel_luv. TPark would choose a bag of chips over USA team anytime: "What are they playing for? They should be like me during the off season, watching Jerry Springer and pretend they are smart online."
Yeah doesn't make sense that Bowen didn't guard Arrojo. This team could be constructed better but it is still great team put together and should be the favorites.
Coach K knows those guys are coaching themselves. Whether he is a legend in the college game or not, those egos are too huge for him to even begin to handle.
Wait a minute. Aren't you the same guy who says players should show loyalty to the big money contracts and not the national teams?
yes yes!
He is that guy!
Mike D'Antoni is the Suns GM. Remember, Jerry Colangelo sold the team to the foam finger guy, Sarver.
The coach has changed, the players have changed, and maybe the philosophies have changed, but star power still rules in the world of pro sports. Coach K probably did what was told of him. Keep the LeBron's, the Anthony's, and the Wade's of the world, the heck with role players, that's probably what USA Basketball told him to do!
If USA plays ARG the little coach will miss BRUCE, believe me ... with BRUCE the way to gold could be guaranteed but without him ... not sure (that's what I think); besides that why to wait too long to decide who will be in or cut ... too stupid.
Bruce doesn't dunk at every opportunity. That doesn't fit into USA Basketball.
Bruce will never make it in FIBA. i know you homers will just think im hating on Bruce, but think about it. his game on offense is open threes. when he's missing them like he did early on why would they use him, when instead they have James/Melo/Jamison who make their shots and are better players. refs call the game too close so his handchecking would be called every time. plus there arent many 1 on 1 international players that he could guard except for Manu only. instead they need guys who can jump the passing lanes, quick guys who can recover on defense when they gamble. (James, Wade, Johnson, Melo, Paul.)
Bruce's game doesnt help team USA at all, and i hope he realizes that instead of whining on why he gets snubbed all the time.
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