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I don't think it's that big of deal. One person steps on his foot per year. So big deal, he'll get called for a foul for that. It's not like it happens all the time.
So Stu has warned Bruce about his style of play? He wants our best defender to change his ways. This isn't good. I think that all those players that have it out for Bruce will find a way to take advantage of this. I predict that before this season is through Bruce will be fined and maybe even suspended over this. Either that or Bruce's opponents scoring will pick up alot due to Bruce not wanting a bull foul called on him. Please read the story before you reply.
Spurs notebook: NBA warns Bowen to watch his step when he guards shooters
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
HOUSTON — When Bruce Bowen's phone rang Sunday afternoon, he didn't need to look at caller ID to know who was on the other end of the line: Stu Jackson, the NBA's executive vice president of basketball operations — otherwise known as the league's czar of discipline.
"With him," Bowen said, "I have a bat line."
Jackson told Bowen he wasn't going to be fined for last week's play involving New York's Steve Francis. But he told Bowen a foul should have been called and he warned Bowen to watch his feet in the future.
Francis sprained his left ankle when he landed on Bowen's foot. The incident drew greater attention when the teams played again Saturday and Knicks coach Isiah Thomas accused Bowen of stepping under players — a complaint Bowen has heard a handful of times in recent seasons.
The league has instructed officials this season to make sure players are allowed to "alight" or land after they shoot.
Jackson "said because of the things that have happened with me, I really need to be aware of the space I'm giving guys to come down," Bowen said. "I said, 'So, if they come down close to me, is that still an infraction on my behalf?' He said no, but it's a foul if they come down on top of you.
"I have no problem with that, but my only concern is if somebody comes close. What if somebody says, 'Owww!' Now do I get a foul?"
Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy said he doesn't think the plays in question were committed with malice.
"If he says that's unintentional, who am I to question him?" Van Gundy said. "Some players, any time a guy competes hard against him, the first word they use is 'dirty'. Because you know they don't want to put as much effort into the game as a guy who competes hard.
"John Stockton, I always heard, was dirty. And I thought he just out-competes people. You have the little whiners who are running for cover anytime the game gets tough."
Rockets guard Tracy McGrady also said he has never had a problem facing Bowen.
"I always accepted the challenge of going up against him because he is the best perimeter (defender) in this league," McGrady said.
Looking out for the big men: While the league has cracked down on perimeter contact by defenders, Van Gundy thinks something needs to be done about the punishment big men are taking under the basket.
He wasn't happy when a foul wasn't called after Rockets center Yao Ming was hit in the head Sunday in Miami.
"If we're really concerned about injury prevention," Van Gundy said, "I don't think 'alighting' is the only thing we should be concerned with. Full-force swings to the head are also something."
Thomas misquoted: During its investigation of Bowen and Thomas, the league determined the Knicks coach was misquoted by New York's Newsday newspaper when discussing how he would deal with a player who stepped under him.
The paper reported Thomas as saying, "I'd beat the (expletive) out of somebody. Really, I would (expletive) murder them." A league official, however, said transcripts showed Thomas to have said, "I'd beat the (expletive) out of somebody. That's (expletive) murder."
Fighting words: Van Gundy was talking to reporters outside Houston's locker room early Tuesday evening when he heard someone yell "Bull... !" He turned to see Spurs coach Gregg Popovich smiling at him from down the hall.
"Watch out," Van Gundy yelled back. "I'll fight you."
Retorted Popovich: "You stay on your own bench."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.88b40e0.html
Last edited by timvp; 11-15-2006 at 02:56 AM.
I don't think it's that big of deal. One person steps on his foot per year. So big deal, he'll get called for a foul for that. It's not like it happens all the time.
when injury becomes secondary to game play then the fine should be warrented
What I am talking about are players acting like they are hurt by coming down on Bowen's foot. In my opinion this will be alot like roughing the kicker/punter. I have seen alot of games where these kicker/punters fake being hit therefore drawing a penalty from the official. Which usually results ina first down in some cases. In Bruce's case it could result in fines or even suspensions. This wll be an issue this season. Mark my words.
As long as Bowen doesn't do the splits when he's "boxing out" jump shooters, he'll be fine. Bowen knows exactly where his feet are going. He'll clean it up now that he knows the league is watching.
I hope so. This is the year that we reclaim the trophy and I wouldn't want any stupid messing it up for us.
Someone please send this directly to Ray Allen and Vince Carter!"Some players, any time a guy competes hard against him, the first word they use is 'dirty'. Because you know they don't want to put as much effort into the game as a guy who competes hard.
"John Stockton, I always heard, was dirty. And I thought he just out-competes people. You have the little whiners who are running for cover anytime the game gets tough."
I really appreciate the competing spirit of Bowen but not the style of stepping under other players
orale
The call from Stu Jackson "officializes" the claims against Bruce.
It's up to Bruce whether he gives players more chances to go further with more claims.
bruce needs to fill his pockets of rose petals.....so they land softly next time! I call bull! But just like bruce says...they'll (the whiners)yell and FOUL bruce...they trip themselves up and foul bruce....they've just targeted bruce..
Exactly...as a result, Bruce will be watched very closely like Artest and Rasheed. Any little thing will be called...the benefit of the doubt will go to the opposing player. Time for Mr. White to make an impact if this is the case.
COME ON NOW LEON......ARE YOU REALLY A SPURS FAN??? IF YOU ARE THEN YOU WOULD NOTICE THAT BRUCE DOESN'T STEP UNDER SHOOTERS WHEN THEY ARE COMING DOWN. HE CONTESTS THE SHOT, THERFORE HE'S CLOSER TO THEM WHEN HE LANDS. WHAT IS HE JUST SUPPOST TO STEP BACK AND LET THEM SHOOT AN UNCONTESTED SHOT?THAT!
bruce will adjust. the whimps will find something new to cry about. i'm fine with that.
I think I love JVG now. Really, after that win, I WANT to be a sore loser. But here McGrady was being cool, and now JVG is stepping up to Bowen's defense like few I've seen before.
This is [expletive] great!
No, but if you actually play basketball compe ively, you would know that even when jumping forward on a contested shot, you can control yourself to where your feet are not under another player coming down from a jumper, and still land without any trouble. you can contest a shot just as well without having to kick your feet out and put another player at risk of a major injury. if just ordinary people can do that, a trained athlete who is in top physical condition should be able to do it without any problem at all.COME ON NOW LEON......ARE YOU REALLY A SPURS FAN??? IF YOU ARE THEN YOU WOULD NOTICE THAT BRUCE DOESN'T STEP UNDER SHOOTERS WHEN THEY ARE COMING DOWN. HE CONTESTS THE SHOT, THERFORE HE'S CLOSER TO THEM WHEN HE LANDS. WHAT IS HE JUST SUPPOST TO STEP BACK AND LET THEM SHOOT AN UNCONTESTED SHOT?
A warning is fair. Now Bruce can adapt or get called for it.
I agree but there are still going to be times when you land on someone's feet accidentally and not because they purposely put them there. I am interested to see how this will be called and if the refs will have a pre-conceived opinion when it comes to Bruce and this like they do with players such as Sheed who have a history of a bad temper.No, but if you actually play basketball compe ively, you would know that even when jumping forward on a contested shot, you can control yourself to where your feet are not under another player coming down from a jumper, and still land without any trouble. you can contest a shot just as well without having to kick your feet out and put another player at risk of a major injury. if just ordinary people can do that, a trained athlete who is in top physical condition should be able to do it without any problem at all.
yea, i agree. it happens once in a while, due to a simple accident. but what bruce does is clearly controllable, and NOT a complete accident. every time he has hurt a player, its because he flailed his legs, which is completely unnecesary.
amen.
I am incomfortable with this wording:
i just see how , if a guy is coming down close, he could adjust a leg to graze bruce or bumpinto him once he lands..."I said, 'So, if they come down close to me, is that still an infraction on my behalf?' He said no, but it's a foul if they come down on top of you.
then again those are pussy moves. ala vince carter and crybaby allen. so when I say 'guys' thats who I mean.
I've always liked JVG. With the exception of the Yao Ming conspiracy theory in the playoffs a couple of years ago he always steps up and takes his lumps like a man. In my time in Houston watching the local sports I don't think I've ever seen him go out and put the blame for a loss anywhere but on himself and his team. I miss the combover though.
Bruce just needs to block the shooter out for the rebound. This rule should help Bruce's rebounding stats.
Bruce should run down the court flailing his arms in a detached and uncoordinated manner, utilizing limp-wristed tactics whenever possible.
Then at least they'd have some facts to reference the next time they say he plays "sissy ball."
No no no Obi...that could never happen! Besides those are "legit" moves you see in the schoolyards all the time! If Bruce kicks his legs out...its dirty but if the shooter does that to draw a foul, that's ok. Just like when a shooter jumps into someone in the air...that's ok but the guy landing on him...that's dirty and we must clean this scourge from our fair streets!i just see how , if a guy is coming down close, he could adjust a leg to graze bruce or bumpinto him once he lands...
Dripping sarcasm aside, it won't really matter anyway. God himself could come down and say "Good D Bruce" and there would still be players and fans lining up to tell the Almighty to F- off. Bruce is going to have to adjust his game. He can do it.
Bruce Almighty.No no no Obi...that could never happen! Besides those are "legit" moves you see in the schoolyards all the time! If Bruce kicks his legs out...its dirty but if the shooter does that to draw a foul, that's ok. Just like when a shooter jumps into someone in the air...that's ok but the guy landing on him...that's dirty and we must clean this scourge from our fair streets!
Dripping sarcasm aside, it won't really matter anyway. God himself could come down and say "Good D Bruce" and there would still be players and fans lining up to tell the Almighty to F- off. Bruce is going to have to adjust his game. He can do it.
I guess he just has one leg up on the compe ion.
Bruce can get chippy....but sometimes its like people think he is the only one. And all this "Oh I just KNOW he is out to hurt someone" is stupid. People want to think he is dirty? They have that right....but no one actually knows except Bruce...and he ain't talkin'.
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