Bowen avoids punishment, will play in Game 4

[cujo112461]

Flagrant 1 foul as per ESPN.

[Spurs Brazil]

Bowen avoids punishment, will play in Game 4ESPN.com


SAN ANTONIO -- While Bruce Bowen's aggressive defensive style remains under the league's microscope, the San Antonio Spurs guard will not be suspended for Monday night's Game 4 against the Suns.

Bowen's knee to Steve Nash's groin in Game 3, originally whistled during the game as a personal foul, has been upgraded by the league to a Flagrant Foul 1, a league spokesman said. But that decision results in neither a fine nor a suspension for Bowen, who said at the Spurs' Monday morning shootaround that he has apologized to Nash.

"The reaction of the bench, it's easy to say, 'Oh, that was calculated on his behalf because of who it is.' But I have too much respect for Steve, two-time MVP, a great player, I have respect for him and I wouldn't do anything like that," Bowen said. "It's just part of the game, I think, that you have to be man enough at times, when you do something and it's not the right thing that you've done, you have to be man enough to say, 'Hey, I'm sorry for that.' That's all it was, in the spirit of compe ion."

The Spurs lead the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series 2-1.

Meanwhile, in the Warriors-Jazz Western semifinal, Baron Davis' elbow on Derek Fisher is under review but Jason Richardson's foul on Mehmet Okur is not being looked at for further punishment. Richardson's foul will remain classified a Flagrant Foul 2.

Players get points that can lead to suspensions for flagrant fouls. Bowen's is one point on his record, Richardson's is two points.

[mardigan]

Great, suspension shouldnt have ever been an option

[lefty]

Muahahahaha

[angel_luv]

Bowen's knee to Steve Nash's groin in Game 3, originally whistled during the game as a personal foul, has been upgraded by the league to a Flagrant Foul 1, a league spokesman said. But that decision results in neither a fine nor a suspension for Bowen

Then why upgrade it? Just so Bruce has the flagrant on his record?

[Kori Ellis]

Then why upgrade it? Just so Bruce has the flagrant on his record?

Yes. If ac ulate a certain amount of flagrants, then you get fined, etc.

[spursfan09]

Then why upgrade it? Just so Bruce has the flagrant on his record?

I think they keep track. like if he gest 5 flagrant fouls he will get a 1 game suspended. something like that

[ducks]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...ory?id=2870076


ESPN.com

SAN ANTONIO -- While Bruce Bowen's aggressive defensive style remains under the league's microscope, the San Antonio Spurs guard will not be suspended for Monday night's Game 4 against the Suns.

Bowen's knee to Steve Nash's groin in Game 3, originally whistled during the game as a personal foul, has been upgraded by the league to a Flagrant Foul 1, a league spokesman said. But that decision results in neither a fine nor a suspension for Bowen, who said at the Spurs' Monday morning shootaround that he has apologized to Nash.

"The reaction of the bench, it's easy to say, 'Oh, that was calculated on his behalf because of who it is.' But I have too much respect for Steve, two-time MVP, a great player, I have respect for him and I wouldn't do anything like that," Bowen said. "It's just part of the game, I think, that you have to be man enough at times, when you do something and it's not the right thing that you've done, you have to be man enough to say, 'Hey, I'm sorry for that.' That's all it was, in the spirit of compe ion."

The Spurs lead the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series 2-1.

Meanwhile, in the Warriors-Jazz Western semifinal, Baron Davis' elbow on Derek Fisher is under review but Jason Richardson's foul on Mehmet Okur is not being looked at for further punishment. Richardson's foul will remain classified a Flagrant Foul 2.

Players get points that can lead to suspensions for flagrant fouls. Bowen's is one point on his record, Richardson's is two points.

[angel_luv]

Yes. If ac ulate a certain amount of flagrants, then you get fined, etc.

I see. Thanks for explaining.

Also, Welcome back to the forum this is the first I have "seen" of you since your break.

[Sec24Row7]

That is completely fair... that's actually what I told someone that I was sitting with at the game was going to happen.

Baron Davis on the other hand is going to get a 1 gamer... which is the last game of the season for GS...

[hater]

I wish Bowen would stop apologizing. he looks guilty when he does this. SPurs need to get a whole Legal team just dedicated to Bowen issues.

[Spurminator]

Cowardly move by the NBA. What Bowen did was arguably undeserving of a foul call, let alone a Flagrant. Guess they felt they had to do something because of all the ing.

I refuse to be happy about this just because it's not a suspension or a fine. The League caved to persistent whining over incidental contact. This sets a bad precedent.

[shaq_h8ter]

I'd swear I've see players do that step thru move all the time.
I wish someone would compile a video clip of some examples,I know they're out there.

[Texas_Ranger]

That's great.

[SA210]

Cowardly move by the NBA. What Bowen did was arguably undeserving of a foul call, let alone a Flagrant. Guess they felt they had to do something because of all the ing.

I refuse to be happy about this just because it's not a suspension or a fine. The League caved to persistent whining over incidental contact. This sets a bad precedent.

Agreed.

[alamo50]

Great, suspension shouldnt have ever been an option

It wasn't.


Now Bruce will go back to playing defense with his hands up in the air again.
I also have the feeling that Javie will be officiating the game tonight............

I think the at&t will be as loud as ever due to the unfairness of the calls tonight.

[samikeyp]

Bowen apologized...Nash accepted it.

Sounds like Nash is satisfied with this and ready to move on.

But will Suns fan be?

Question.

[ambchang]

This is absolute bs, that was a borderline foul to begin with, and is undoubtedly the weakest flagrant foul in NBA history.
For all the talk about discouraging whining, the league has contradicted it's policy by listening to whiners, and assessing flagrant fouls to absolutely undeserved situations, clearly doing what is fixes the greasy wheel rather than what is right.
Speaking of stuffing out whining, when are we going to see anybody getting techs called for whining in this series? Because according to the fans, the other side does nothing but whine.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

The league certainly has come full circle. We go from T'ing up players at the start of the season to retroactively upgrading personals to flagrants because a coach is whining.

Way to set a precedent, NBA.

Lesson learned:

D'Antoni can whine all he wants, and not only will he not be T'ed up, but the league will listen to his concerns and go on a witch hunt to tag someone with a flagrant after the fact for him.

Can't wait to see the whistlefest tonight Way to go, Stern.

[spurschick]

I think the at&t will be as loud as ever due to the unfairness of the calls tonight.

And the chants of "dirty" will continue.

[samikeyp]

^^^^Sexiest Shiner Ever!

[greens]

I think they keep track. like if he gest 5 flagrant fouls he will get a 1 game suspended. something like that

So it's official that if you get 5 flagrants, you will be suspended? I thought it had to be more than 5? Not sure.

But this is Bruce's first flagrant on his clean record?

I think it was stupid to make it a flagrant. Things like that happen all the time. I remember Tim was hit in the groin by Stephen Hunter back in 05 playoffs...and also I remember Robert Horry getting hit there too. And I've never heard of anyone getting a flagrant for that, such an accidental contact!

And wasn't Stoudemire also arguing that Manu had kneed him there on purpose during the regular season this year? And Manu didn't get a flagrant for that either!

Honestly, I feel bad for Bruce. This is ridiculous. He is basically apologizing for no real reason. It just shows that he has class.

BUT I'm very happy that there will be no suspension! Bruce is the heart of the Spurs defense. They need him. So at least, that is the positive of it!

And no fine...

And yet Raja's elbow on Manu earlier did not even equate a flagrant...hmmm...There wasn't even any discussion over it.

[Obstructed_View]

As I mentioned elsewhere, the complete anticlimax of an upgrade to flagrant 1 with no fine and no suspension sends a message to the Suns, not to the Spurs. The NBA is tired of hearing all the complaining and basically just confirmed that the Suns have been making mountains out of mole hills for the last two days. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a call to D'Antoni from the NBA telling him that they are going to be watching tonight's postgame presser with particular interest.

[Spurminator]

It would have sent a better message to the Suns if the League had said, "Uh, you got your foul call. That's all this play merited. Please stop wasting our time. Thanks"

[Obstructed_View]

And yet Raja's elbow on Manu earlier did not even equate a flagrant...hmmm...There wasn't even any discussion over it.

There was discussion. I believe that the consensus (from Spurs fans) was that, aside from being a personal foul, it didn't violate any specific contact rules and MIGHT be a candidate for upgrade but warranted neither a suspension or a fine.