Bruce Bowen: All time wing defender getting jersey retired

[huskerdu]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/120123_spurs_retire_bowen_jersey

Well deserved for one of the greatest perimeter defenders in NBA history. Hate to play against him, love to have him on your team. Spurs would only have half the championships they have now without him.



Story:

SAN ANTONIO – 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.

A leader on and off the court, Bowen earned the NBA’s Community Assist Award twice (March 2005 and January 2006) for his efforts in the San Antonio community. In 2004 Bowen launched GET FIT with Bruce and Buddy, a comprehensive program aimed towards fighting childhood obesity in San Antonio. Nearly 15,000 boys and girls participated in the program.

In 13 NBA seasons Bowen appeared in 873 regular season games, averaging 6.1 points, 2.8 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 27.6 minutes. After playing several seasons in France and the Continental Basketball Association, he made his NBA debut in 1996-97 with the Miami Heat. Bowen also saw action with the Boston Celtics (1997-99), Philadelphia 76ers (1999-2000) and made a return trip to Miami (2000-01) before eventually making his mark in San Antonio.

Silver & Black Give Back (SBGB) will give Spurs family the opportunity to honor Bowen prior to his jersey being raised at a luncheon which will take place Monday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the AT&T Center. Former teammates and the entire 2011-12 Spurs team will be on hand to recognize Bowen. Those in attendance will be able to enjoy a silent auction, a chance to win a trip with the team to a road playoff game and preview the banner that will be raised to the rafters on March 21. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit SBGB. To purchase tickets or for more information on the luncheon please call (210) 444‐5609 or email sbgb@attcenter.com.

[Doomsta]

best defender of the decade.

[franktony]

About time

He was a beast and he is my favorite Spur ever

[World Peace]

Well deserved.

[JackFinn]

Well undeserved.

[KembaWalker]

scumbag

[Dagameplaya PnG]

Deserved

[SUN]

He was a cheating douchebag.

[devmil]

It's a shame that a classy organization like the spurs would honor someone who is infamous for his dirty tactics.

[LikeABosh]

He owes an apology to Nash's nads

[Slava]

Didn't realize the Spurs organization valued him so highly.

Dirty player though, no way around it and no coincidence that the ankle injuries to guard around the league must have gone down since his retirement.

[jack612]

[SUN]

See? Utter scum.

[huskerdu]

All time great defender, deal with it scumbags.

[colts18]

Well undeserved.

[Dagameplaya PnG]

He wasn't perfect but he was a key part of those early 2000 Spurs teams.

[RamenStyle]

Great defender, but part of his defense came from cheap shots and dirty tricks.

[colts18]

Do Avery Johnson and Sean Elliot have their jerseys retired?

[MitchellUK]

Five years from now a bunch of noobs who never saw him play will be on here acting with incredulity that a man who averaged 6.1 and 2.7 got his jersey retired.

Well deserved.

[malliar89]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxXvkMB6gA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFvk4qHkT10
i don't care if he was a good defender or if he has won 4 rings.basketball shouldn't play this way.it's different between being tough and being dirty.for exanple artest was also an elite tough defender but he wasn't dirty.i can't say the same about bowen.