Bruce Bowen to have his jersey retired

[[Q]]

WAT
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/218517/Spurs_To_Retire_Bruce_Bowens_No_12

Bowen will join David Robinson, George Gervin, Sean Elliott, James Silas, Avery Johnson and Johnny Moore as members of the Spurs who have had their number retired.

who's next? Matt Bonner?

in all seriousness, he was one of the best perimeter defenders in his prime and does deserve it, but it's a bit odd considering he's someone who A) was not the face of the franchise and B) was not a very offensive minded player

[Moz]

Maybe it's his loyalty to the franchise just like what Dallas did for Brad Davis

he was one of the best perimeter defenders in his prime

and one of the dirtiest also

[shadowgrin]

in all seriousness, he was one of the best perimeter defenders in his prime and does deserve it, but it's a bit odd considering he's someone who A) was not the face of the franchise and B) was not a very offensive minded player

Assuming you're serious with those arguments Q...

I respectfully say that you're a moron good sire.


A) He was a very important part of those Spurs championship teams.

B) It's not all about offense. Bowen's not an offensively inept player, he can shoot the three if needed but his role doesn't call for him to do more on offense.


Of all people Q I thought you would be well past that kind of thinking by now. Assuming your argument is serious of course.

[Andrew]

It's a little surprising, but I say fair enough. He was an important part of those championship teams and played eight seasons for them, after all. He wasn't one of my favourite players as some of his tactics were downright dirty and beneath a player who was already a great defender without having to resort to that stuff, but good for him.

[rise]

As much as I dislike Bowen, I'd say he's worthy. Definitely an important part of Spurs history, because of championships he helped win.

[Dc311]

All-NBA Defensive First Team (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
All-NBA Defensive Second Team (2001, 2002, 2003)

phpBB [video]

Hopefully i will have the cash to get tickets to that game when they do the ceremony.
It is well deserved.

[Kenny]

I think it's fitting, he was a big part of the Spurs championship run and he was the one getting the big defensive assignments. He had quite a few dirty plays in his career, but that shouldn't overshadow his importance to the franchise. It's good to see him recognised.

[kibaxx7]

I think it's well deserved. Like Popovich said, the Spurs wouldn't have won the '03-'05-'07 championships without him.

[homicide1550]

Props to the Spurs management for acknowledging Bruce Bowen. Dude worked hard on defense, though some of his tactics were borderline dirty, but he definitely got the job done. Plus he can also hit those timely 3-pointers from the corner..

[Lamrock]

Can't say I liked Bowen too much when he was playing, but it's great to see the Spurs recognize his value to the franchise.

[Murat]

A great defender, a baseline shooter. Good move, Spurs.

[Dc311]

Bowen’s No. 12 jersey should be recognized

[Andrew]

Retiring a number is the ultimate honor a team can bestow on one of its own and each franchise establishes its own criteria.

Sums it up, in a sentence. It doesn't mean that the criteria can't be questioned or criticised of course but at the end of the day teams have their reasons for retiring numbers and it's their right to make that gesture. Although Bowen's stats aren't eye-popping and the kind you'd expect of a player having their jersey retired, his impact and importance on the championship teams makes him a significant player to the Spurs and that's all that really matters. It's a team retiring a jersey number to honour a former player, not a Hall of Fame induction.

[Dc311]

Some highlights:




Retirement:(Note)The whole thing was actually about 35-45 minutes long.I hope someone on youtube uploads the whole thing.

[Patr1ck]

He probably paid them to retire it.

[Dc311]

He probably paid them to retire it.

He did.With defense.

[shadowgrin]

...and kung-fu.

[Andrew]

Unnecessary as that was, it always looks pretty cool. Sorry, Wally.