Bowen retiring

[Blame Rasho]

He was one of the best defenders of his generation... and proudly contributed to our championships.

[TAI8]

He was one of the best defenders of his generation... and proudly contributed to our championships.

Amen

[Donald Kaufman]

I really hope he gets his jersey hung from the rafters. He was a huge part of our title teams.

[SApuro_]

Heck we hung AJ's jersey in the rafters Bruce deserves his up there too. He was a huge contributor to our past championship runs. His dirty play...I mean tough D was key toward fusterating big time players on the opposing team. Bruce has always been a stand up guy outside of Basketball too.

I also like the fact he decided to hang them up instead of playing another year on the end of some crappy teams bench. His skills had deminished over the past few years but what do you expect the guy is 38.

[Donald Kaufman]

I remember hearing/reading somewhere (possibly on RGM) that Bowen and Pop's relationship had become strained the past season or so. I don't know how much truth there is/was to this and whether that influenced him being dealt. It was a shame to see him traded but we obviously needed to make a move and Bowen unfortunately was not part of our future.

I agree SApuro, I'm glad to see him go now and not go to some other team. Even though he's 38, I was kind of surprised to hear he'd hung it up. He was not your usual 38 year old NBA player; he was relatively late joining the league and didn't play solid minutes until he joined us - so he didn't have the miles on him that a Malone or Stockton had.

[co_laper]

I don't get how NBA mileage effect this at all.

I mean, a guy can come to the NBA at age 35, but that doesn't mean he'll have 10 years of mileage in him like others do. Bowen did play basketball profesionally since he finished college. even if he doesn't play basketball at all, that's like saying he could just started playing basketball at age 30 (instead of 10 yo) got to the NBA at age 40 (instead of 20 yo) and have mileage to play 10-15 years because he didn't have many miles on him.

[Donald Kaufman]

Really? You mean you don't agree with something? How surprising.

In the NBA, they play 82 games over six months - 100+ including playoffs. Factor in training camp and preseason and you're looking at over eight months of wear and tear every year, not to mention the travel involved which would take it's toll.

I don't think any other professional league plays games at such a level over such a stretch as in the NBA.

Bowen entered the league at 26, and averaged no more than 21mpg until the 2000-01 season, where he averaged 32mpg as a 29 year old with the Heat. He'd played in a grand total of 12 NBA games to this point. To put it in perspective, Kobe Bryant at 29 had played in roughly 800 regular season games (averaging around 38mpg) plus long playoff runs most years.

I think Bowen was able to play at a high level till 38 because he didn't really begin the NBA grind until he was almost 30. It had to have been a factor.

[DubaLakers]

I hated it when he did some of the dirty stuff...intentional trip, or put his foot out for an ankle sprain, but just a fantastic defender, a cal state fullerton school alum, him and ced ceballos, and just a great guy off the court. I always kinda related to him, because my game wasn't great, I'm a streaky shooter, but I play excellent D, but he made it on nearly defense and a spot up three alone, props. Great run for BB.

[SApuro_]

Milage definately comes into play. Going deep in the playoffs year in and year out takes a pounding on the body. Bruce did a great job staying in shape so I think he could have contributed another year or two some where in the league. I am a little disappointed that we never cloned Bruce though. Devon Brown never paned out and neither did Ime Odoodoo.

[co_laper]

Don't be a little girl. I'm simply saying that I don't really get how mileage comes into play but obviously mileage is brought up a lot not just with Bowen but other players too. I'm simply trying to understand it.

When it comes to mileage, you said Bowen entered the NBA at 26, played consistent minutes at 30 yo, and that's why he's still at a high level at age 38.

Cause I personally feel that if a guy starts reaching 35 year old, no matter if he just started playing basketball or been playing it for 31 years, he'll start declining and that's why most NBA players don't last till 38. It's not like the NBA is the only league out there. I feel Bruce breaking down is more about Age than Mileage... He's at an age where players will lose steps and quickness.

I mean, if Bowen came to the NBA at 36 year old instead of 26 year old (NBA Mileage still at 0), would he then be able to play at a high level until he's 48?

Anyways, that's just my question on Mileage because I really never get it when articles are talking about mileage. It's just so happen that you brought it up again. I would've said the same thing if it was other posters who said it.

I could understand the grind of going deep in the playoffs year after year, but that should effect fatigue more than how long a guy's career is.

I mean if we based it on mileage, Lebron James will probably retire before he reaches 30. He not only goes deep into the playoffs, he still plays 40+ minutes a game and even the full 48 for the cavs. Talk about the grind and mileage it takes on Lebron's legs.

Based on mileage, Lebron should start losing quickness in his prime at age 27 and then retire at age 30.

[Donald Kaufman]

I hated it when he did some of the dirty stuff...intentional trip, or put his foot out for an ankle sprain, but just a fantastic defender, a cal state fullerton school alum, him and ced ceballos, and just a great guy off the court. I always kinda related to him, because my game wasn't great, I'm a streaky shooter, but I play excellent D, but he made it on nearly defense and a spot up three alone, props. Great run for BB.

Same. I've always respected the players that are able to flourish in the NBA by not scoring. Rodman was an example, same with Ben Wallace and of course Bowen. They show that you don't need to put the ball in the basket to get court time.

[SApuro_]

I am really going to miss those old boring spurs. Could play lock down defense like no other team in the league...and it all started with bowens ability to shut down the big scorer.

Almost going to miss bowen's HEB commercials as much as the Ninja's Taco Cabana commercials.