Built Ford Tough Posted January 23, 2012 Report Share Posted January 23, 2012 The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they will retire Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 jersey on Wednesday, March 21 when the Spurs host the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bowen’s No. 12 jersey will join James Silas’ No. 13, George Gervin’s No. 44, Johnny Moore’s No. 00, David Robinson’s No. 50, Sean Elliott’s No. 32 and Avery Johnson’s No. 6 in the rafters in the AT&T Center. “Bruce Bowen was the premier perimeter defender in the NBA for close to a decade,” said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. “His success is proof that hard work and determination do, in fact, pay off. Statistics are meaningless when talking about his importance to this franchise. The simple fact is the Spurs don't win NBA Championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007 without Bruce Bowen.” Bowen joined the Spurs on July 31, 2001. He spent nine seasons (2001-09) in San Antonio and appeared in 630 games, one of just eight players to appear in 600-plus games with the Spurs. Bowen started in every game he played in for the Silver and Black, averaging 6.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31.2 minutes. The 6-7 guard out of Cal State Fullerton earned a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Team in eight of his nine seasons with the Spurs (was a second team selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 before earning first team honors in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008). Bowen is one of five swingmen in NBA history to earn All-Defensive Team honors in eight-or-more straight seasons joining Scottie Pippen (10 straight from 1991-00), Bobby Jones (nine straight from 1977-85), John Havlicek (eight straight from 1969-76) and Michael Cooper (eight straight from 1981-88). On Feb. 22, 2002, Bowen started a streak of 500 consecutive games played and started which lasted until March 14, 2008. The streak was the longest in the NBA at the time and is the longest in Spurs franchise history, surpassing Avery Johnson’s mark of 296 consecutive games. Bowen ranks second on the Spurs all-time leaders list in three-pointers made (661) and attempted (1,632). He shot 40.5 percent from downtown during his nine seasons with the Silver and Black which ranks seventh all-time. In 2003-04 Bowen led the NBA in three-point shooting with a .441 (101-229) mark from downtown. Bowen was a part of three NBA Championship teams with the Spurs. He appeared in 122 playoff games, averaging 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists. His .438 (161-368) shooting percentage from three-point range ranks second among Spurs all-time playoff leaders. http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/120123_spurs_retire_bowen_jersey I honestly can say that I didn't really see this coming. I fully understand and appreciate just how vital Bowen was to those Spurs teams but I didn't see them going as far as to retiring his number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Ehh, good for him I guess. Didn't like the dude as a player being the big Vince Carter fan I am. He was a good ass defender, but dirty as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Bowen deserves it as he was a crucial part of their franchise history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Meh...he was an incredible player defensively, and was great at the corner 3, but I wouldn't go so far as to retire his number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch23 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Awesome decision, Bowen's defense was huge in the championship era, but let's not forget he was a clutch playoff 3 point shooter. Shot 40 percent from 3 in the playoffs. He may have bent the rules a little bit and had a handful of dirty plays, but there were far dirtier players.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sħãlïq™ Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Meh...he was an incredible player defensively, and was great at the corner 3, but I wouldn't go so far as to retire his number.My thoughts exacly. Not deserved at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch23 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Meh...he was an incredible player defensively, and was great at the corner 3, but I wouldn't go so far as to retire his number. Without Bowen we probably only have 2 maybe 3 rings.... Def deserves this! Edited January 24, 2012 by Finch23 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Without Bowen we probably only have 2 maybe 3 rings.... Def deserves this! You're probably right, however he was only the 4th most important player on all 3 (you can maybe argue he was higher in 03). I am not a fan of retiring the numbers of role players, even if they were perfect compliments. I am 99% sure he's never even made an All-Star team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Finch is absolutely correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 So if Bowen can get his jersey retired, so should Robert Horry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Artesticle Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Yama is absolutely correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sħãlïq™ Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 So if Bowen can get his jersey retired, so should Robert Horry.Word. Horry >>> Bowen. Hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i am batman u die now Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Without Bowen, we wouldn't have one as many championships during our run. Bowen's obedience between his coach and Tim Duncan really set him apart as a defensive specialist. You can assign Bowen to any player in the league today, and Bowen would lock them down tight pretty decently! He did try some sneaky, underhanded tricks, but his legacy is as a leader and a role-player for a dynasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch23 Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Word. Horry >>> Bowen. Hands down. On the Spurs? Not a chance, overall of course. You really wouldn't understand how important Bowen was to this team unless you watched EVERY game like I did. Night in and night out he was asked to guard the opposing teams best player while consistently being a threat from 3. You say that he was only the 4th most important player on the team, I disagree. Bowen was just as important to all of those championship runs as Manu, Tim, and Tony. Like him or not he was the best perimeter defender of the 2000's. He had the ability to guard positions 1-3 and even some 4. Those type of defenders are extremely rare. Sometimes it seems like people really underappreciate the value of LOCKDOWN defense. Scoring isn't everything in basketball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch23 Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 So if Bowen can get his jersey retired, so should Robert Horry. Horry was a bench player, a damn good one but he wasn't asked to guard the opposing teams best player every night like Bowen was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 You say that he was only the 4th most important player on the team, I disagree. Bowen was just as important to all of those championship runs as Manu, Tim, and Tony. Like him or not he was the best perimeter defender of the 2000's. He had the ability to guard positions 1-3 and even some 4. Those type of defenders are extremely rare. Sometimes it seems like people really underappreciate the value of LOCKDOWN defense. Scoring isn't everything in basketball. I'm assuming this part is aimed toward me. No, he wasn't as important as Tim, Manu and Tony during those runs (you can make a case for him being ahead of Manu/Parker in 2003, though I'd still take Robinson over him in terms of importance there). I don't underappreciate the value of lockdown defense, but I feel it's value is overrated. It is very difficult to stop an elite perimeter player without terrific help defense, and Bown had the very best defense over the course of the decade backing him up. And as good as a defense is, those elite perimeter players still will tend to have good games at least half the time in a series. And as good of a shooter Bowen became, he still was primarily useful only in the corner, and couldn't create his own shot. Offensively he was completely, 100% dependant on Duncan/Manu/Parker to get his looks. He never passed or rebounded particularly well, either. As I said, he was a near-perfect role player, but IMO role players like him shouldn't have their jersey's retired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i am batman u die now Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Word. Horry >>> Bowen. Hands down.Are you kidding me? Robert Horry was a washed up bench warmer by the time he was in San Antonio. Yes, he was quite clutch and could score prolifically when he was motivated, but Bowen was a consistent defensive stopper that couldn't of been replaced. Horry's clutch aspect doesn't outweigh defensive consistency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I agree Bowen deserves it over Horry if we are talking strictly their Spurs' careers, but Horry's impact in Game 5 against Detroit in the 2005 Finals and then his hip check on Nash in 2007 (when the Suns had all the momentum) that caused the suspensions of Amare/Diaw likely brought the Spurs their last 2 championships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNotoriousBANG Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 this is bad for the league now team's are retiring the role player too what's next derek fisher gets his jersey retired from lakers???kendrick perkins from the celtics??? then it'll get even worse and could end up with walton, jason terry, odom all getting their digits retired 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballorama Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 It's the franchise's choice to retire which jersey they want retired, Bowen has rightfully earned the honor. No way Spurs would have won in 05/07 and even 03 without Bowen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i am batman u die now Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 this is bad for the league now team's are retiring the role player too what's next derek fisher gets his jersey retired from lakers???kendrick perkins from the celtics??? then it'll get even worse and could end up with walton, jason terry, odom all getting their digits retiredI wouldn't be insanely angry if Fisher got his number retired, actually.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 I wouldn't be insanely angry if Fisher got his number retired, actually.. He's humorously agreeing with you man. their are posters that bait but over-time you will find the posters you agree with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i am batman u die now Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Ah, I have to be more keen with my reading between the lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch23 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 It's the franchise's choice to retire which jersey they want retired, Bowen has rightfully earned the honor. No way Spurs would have won in 05/07 and even 03 without Bowen. 05/07 for sure, and even though Bowen played great in 03 S-Jax was the X factor that year. Other than that I completely agree with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballorama Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) 05/07 for sure, and even though Bowen played great in 03 S-Jax was the X factor that year. Other than that I completely agree with you. I completely forgot S-Jax was on that team and has a ring lmao.. now that I think about it the 03 spurs are a damn good team top to bottom Edited January 30, 2012 by ballorama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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