H.O.F. Watch - Bruce Bowen
Every day we’re taking one active NBA star with at least arguable Hall of Fame credentials and breaking down his chances of getting into the Springfield, Mass., hoops mecca. We’re looking at not just past accomplishments, but also how a player’s career realistically projects for the future. For a full explanation of the process, click here. Today’s candidate: Bruce Bowen.
BRUCE BOWEN (12th year, Spurs/Heat/76ers/Celtics)
6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals per game
Why: In winning three NBA championships with the Spurs, Bowen has established himself as one of this generation’s elite defensive stoppers, and so long as San Antonio continues to win, his legacy will continue to grow. In 12 years as a pro he’s racked up seven All-Defensive Team selections, most famously becoming a pain in the ass for superstars like Kobe, LeBron, Ray Allen and Vince Carter, among others.
Why not: Though he’s come close in the voting year-after-year, Bowen has never won an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award — almost a prerequisite (since its creation in 1982) for defensive stalwarts hoping to get into the Hall of Fame. That could be due to the fact that Bowen often splits votes with teammate Tim Duncan, or because Bowen doesn’t put up impressive stats. While previous DPOY winners we’ve profiled (Mutombo, Artest, Ben Wallace, Mourning, Payton) have registered standout numbers in blocks, steals and/or rebounds, Bowen’s effectiveness is in simply shutting opponents down; he’s never averaged more than 1.4 steals per game in a season, and he rarely blocks shots. And to some people, Bowen isn’t so much a great defender as he is a dirty cheap-shot artist. Even compared to other premier defenders, Bowen’s offensive output is low. His trademark corner three is a vital part of San Antonio’s offense, but it’s a rare occasion when Bowen has a big scoring night. Not to mention his pre-Spurs career was largely forgettable.
Our call: OUT
The H.O.F. Watch archive
11/30 - Dikembe Mutombo
11/29 - Ron Artest
11/28 - Pau Gasol
11/27 - Kevin Garnett
11/26 - Manu Ginobili
11/21 - Amare Stoudemire
11/20 - Rip Hamilton
11/19 - Baron Davis
11/16 - Shaquille O’Neal
11/15 - Steve Francis
11/14 - Ben Wallace
11/13 - Sam Cassell
11/12 - LeBron James
11/9 - Tim Duncan
11/8 - Steve Nash
11/7 - Yao Ming
11/6 - Gilbert Arenas
11/5 - Robert Horry
11/2 - Kobe Bryant
11/1 - Grant Hill
10/31 - Dirk Nowitzki
10/30 - Tony Parker
10/29 - Elton Brand
10/26 - Carmelo Anthony
10/25 - Vince Carter
10/24 - Penny Hardaway
10/23 - Alonzo Mourning
10/22 - Allen Iverson
10/19 - Dwyane Wade
10/18 - Chauncey Billups
10/17 - Stephon Marbury
10/16 - Jason Kidd
10/15 - Shawn Marion
10/12 - Ray Allen
10/11 - Chris Bosh
10/10 - Chris Webber
10/9 - Paul Pierce
10/5 - Jermaine O’Neal
10/4 - Gary Payton
10/3 - Tracy McGrady
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:51 am
Celts Fan says:
Nice piece, would love to have him (so I know that KG, Ray, and Paul’s ankles are safe) but no chance in hell.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:58 am
2 Easy says:
Wow this is quite possibly the easiest no Ive ever had to give. I mean there have been some easy no’s before but HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOO!!. If Bowen were to ever make the hall, I would stop watchin ball, honest to God. Its not cause I hate Bowen I say these things but because he hasnt done anything noteworthy other than makin a normmally peaceful Ray Ray want to turn to fisticuffs. He makes dude wear ankle braces in preparation for their games against him so if there was a dirty player hall than sure he and Zo and the mailman can all sit up in there and talk about their cheap shotting till then Out, a thousand times out
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:59 am
Bron42 says:
everyone in the league is a cheap shot artist now..everything from back in the day when people used to hold jerseys on screens to now with fags flopping (nash and manu) or phantom fouls etc…In a league were people get hyped for not playin defense bowen def stands out BUT that bein said, hes more of a cog than a main part of the machine. So out
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
MoxInTheWest says:
If there were a drity player HOF he’d be a lock.
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Alex "Robocop" Murphy says:
I hate flops as well. I thought the L was going to institute fines on players flopping. What happened with that? I haven’t heard about any fines given yet this season! I guess since Side Show Bob isn’t in the picture, no one is talking about it.
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Alex "Robocop" Murphy says:
Also add James “I ain’t touch him” Jones for ruining my fantasy team by hurting Duncan even though it was all Duncan’s fault trying to get position and jumping off for the ally-opp in a tangled situation.
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Alex "Robocop" Murphy says:
No No NO! Cheap Shot hall of fame goes to Reggie Evans tugging on Chris Kaman’s testicles.
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Prof. TX says:
Out.
No stats and a reputation for playing dirty. NBA history is full of guys who hustle and aggrivate offenses, but that doesn’t mean they’re HOF-worthy.
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Kobeef says:
I have to echo 2Easy and say “Hell NO!”
The only thing Bowen does is Defense and his version of D is dirty more often than not (See the “knee to Nash’s groin” technique in last year’s playoffs, also, the Bowen patented “ankle breaker, stick-foot-under-shooter-move”)
He hits threes but that is pretty damn easy to do when you have a domaint big guy who forces other teams to leave other players open for half the game (See circa 2005 Damon Jones).
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Bron42 says:
you all make it like bowen is the only one who takes cheap shots..everyone takes cheap shots, some players just get away with it. Steve nash kicked yao when he was on the ground the other day but no one said anything. I mean come on, friggen yao flopped against duncan when hes 3 inches taller lol. its all about playin on the ref and we all kno superstars get the calls. well accept for kobe cuz people jumped all over his ass when he kept doin that arm thing to draw the foul
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
sam says:
BRUCE LEE BOWEN IS IN!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAakQjpFibg
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
sam says:
sorry, the link above is gone.
here’s a better version anyway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhTjSrZi91Y
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
sam says:
sorry, the link above is gone.
here’s a better version anyway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhTjSrZi91Y
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Nash kicked Yao? I don’t care if that’s true or if he meant to or not. It’s good to know that he’s not gonna be the nice guy this year. Suns’ window is closin. You wanna win a championship? You might need to play soccer with Yao’s ribs. It’s no coincidence that the Spurs keep winnin chips and they roll out Dirty Bobby Horry and Ankle-Breaker Bowen (who has ZERO chance of gettin in the Hall). No one says shit when you say Nash booted Yao cuz EVERYONE assumes it’s an accident. You hear another shooter gets his ankles broke by Bowen, you damn near expect it. Dude’s got a rep and he might not be the only one who’s dirty, but he’s known for it and basketball being what it is, I’d rather have a defender like Artest or Gerald wallace than Bowen’s cheap ass. Not goin to the Hall, not even in the convo…O-U-T
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:14 pm
smity says:
2 Easy- Don’t forget to include stockton. I hadnt realized that Bowen’s numbers were that low. Can we also attribute his defensive prowess to Duncan’s presence or would that be a stretch? did any of those 7 all d team nods come when he was with miami?
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Austin Burton says:
Nash’s kick was as deliberate as Gerald Henderson’s Hansbrough-Killer elbow last year.
I think if Bowen wins 4-5 championships and keeps shutting guys down, he’s in the HOF discussion at least.
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Austin Burton says:
One of Bowen’s All-Defensive selections was with Miami. I wouldn’t say he’s been a great defender because of Duncan. When you’re on that island 1-on-1, the only way Duncan helps is in the knowledge that you have a shot-blocker behind you in case you get beat.
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Celts Fan says:
The inaugural class of the Cheapshot Artist Hall of Fame: Bill Laimbeer, Bruce Bowen, Reggie “Handfull” Evans, and the key member, Kermit Washington.
Next year’s finalists: John Stockton and Kenyon Martin
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Bron42 says:
lol hendersons looked like a wwe peoples elbow. And to say nash did it by accident is crap if you saw the game, it was a straight bitch kick. Kinda like when you and your brother are fighting and someone pulls you both apart but your still kicking at eachother as your dragged up.
And how is big shot rob dirty? cuz his hockey check on nash? when nash flopped like horry was a all pro linebacker? and even if horry did legitly level him, i dont think one issue suddenly names him a dirty player, its not like her murdered him like what happen to derek andersen back in the day.
and nah you cant really give credit to duncan on this since most of bowens work is iso defense on win guys outside the paint and chasin them around screen, stuff that only he really would effect.
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
fiyaman says:
what? Bruce Bowen? are u guys 4 real? he shouldnt even be in the discussion
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Austin Burton says:
Celts Fan — Are you referring to Kermit Washington punching Rudy T? I wouldn’t call that a cheap shot.
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
smity says:
Austin- can an argument be made that an offensive player’s awareness of duncan’s presence and bowen’s knowledge of that offensive player’s awareness enables him to be more aggresive in defending said player. If you know you have backup and the offensive player knows you have backup they’ll potentially be less likely to drive and more likely to stay put on the perimeter (exceptions include cats that will challenge your big man, like kobes, wade, etc.) thus making it easier for you to go all out in harassing them with more ease…
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Bron42 says:
eh maybe but those are the guys bowen is guarding..the kobes, the wades etc..90% of the superstar wings arent scared of duncan lol..and its not like bowen just funnels his player into duncan ala tony parker, he acutally hounds them himself.
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
djKianoosh says:
of course bowen’s numbers are going to be low. he’s not going to get steals like AI cause AI plays passing lanes like a fiend. Bruce, on the other hand, straight up locks his man up. every coach in the NBA wants a bruce bowen on their team. preferably a handful of them on the bench too. but while I’m a big Spurs supporter, and I think Bruce is vastly underrated for his contributions, he most definitely does not belong in the HoF.
We’re talking “Fame” here. What he does, it’s anti-fame. In fact, the greatest compliment to his game is for him to keep winning rings without getting the recognition, cause that means the guys he’s guarding aren’t having their usual impact on the game. His teammates are better with him and they probably don’t know it. And you know, it doesn’t matter as long as the coach realizes it.
I think he and Duncan make each other better. It’s always great to have a stud post defender along with a lock down perimeter defender. that’s just plain and simple. He’s a great team player, but not the right type of player for the HoF.
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:44 pm
DOC says:
No sir Bruce aint a Hall canidate. He play good D but Im not gonna hype his bum ass up.
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:56 pm
2 Easy says:
My bad Smitty, but I never seen as much dirty stockon plays as I did the ones by the mailman. It still sickens me how he reacted when Dennis played such great D on him or when he busted the admiral’s head wide open with his WCW elbows. Whoever thinks that the Bowen discussion could be reopened if SA wins 2 or 3 more is practicin wishful thinkin cause Bowen is not good enough. PERIOD… I kno i put a period but I had to emphasize my point again lol
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Bron - Thanks for clarifyin that Nash put the boots to Yao on purpose. Glad to hear it. Like I said, time is runnin out and a team mean streak might be needed.I don’t know why you keep rippin Nash for floppin. You actin like a 6-2 170 pg takin a hipcheck from a 6-10 250 pf shouldn’t go down. Yeah, he flopped. They tryin to get to the Finals. When Ginobili does it, there’s two schools of thought: he’s a bitch who flops or he’s doin what he needs to do to get his team the win. If I go down like I just got shot and Robert Horry gets suspended in the next game, I did my job. Too bad my teammates had brain cramps and left the bench. Horry ain’t a dirty player, but that was a dirrrty hit and it helped his team. I’m fine with crossin the line when needed, so I’m cool with Bowen gettin grimy to get his team W’s but he ain’t no damn hall of famer. I would rather see G State or Phoenix in the finals so it’s watchable. When Mr. Nice Guy, G-Hill, cracks someone with an “inadvertant elbow”, then I’ll know they’re serious
Austin - 4-5 championships, keeps shuttin guys down…..still not in the discussion. Is Michael Cooper in the hall? Cuz if a dude with multiple chips and a DPOY on the Showtime lakers can’t get in, then Bowen’s name shouldn’t even be mentioned.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:06 pm
smity says:
Unrelated- was new york still gettin booed last night against phoenix?
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
2 Easy says:
Smitty not to sound cold but its the Knicks my friend. Isiah is forever gonna get booed to start a game. Im not sure if players also got it but Zeke ALWAYS gets booed
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
smity says:
he should just have the announcers not announce him…or pull off a trade to get kevin garnett and ray allen…
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:44 pm
seth says:
Absolutely respect Bowen for finding a way to stick in the League (defense, cheap shots and the occassional corner three) but at best he’s a valuable role player, at worst a hatchet man. No freakin way he’s in.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Austin Burton says:
Duncan’s presence does give you some extra ability to play aggressively and risk getting beat, but I wouldn’t say it’s the difference between someone who’s just OK at defense and someone who’s All-Defensive Team caliber. But it’s kind of like the Montana/Rice argument. You’ll never know how good Joe Montana would’ve been without Jerry Rice, and vice versa, you just have to go off of what you see.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Celts Fan says:
I was referring to the Rudy T incident, and while it may not’ve been a true cheap shot, it was cheaper than ‘Melo’s “sucker punch” which wasn’t a sucker punch at all and Rudy was definitely not ready for it. Plus, I’m sure half the people reading that thought of that again and laughed, so mission accomplished…
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Gregg says:
How about JO’s sucker punch to the portly fan at the brawl?
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
smity says:
it wasnt a suker punch gregg. he just looked like a sucka.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Celts Fan says:
haha damn right smity, if dude didn’t see JO going full-steam from across the court, then it’s on him. btw, “Captain Jack” charging into the crowd and wildly, happily throwing haymakers is my “Where were you when JFK was assassinated?” moment. What a dream…
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Celts Fan says:
That poor guy though. Dude gets hit w/ a 1-2 combo from an enraged, crazed Ron Artest that would’ve made Floyd Mayweather proud and then drilled by a sprinting 7 footer. I don’t know how he survived…
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:57 pm
smity says:
i was talking about j.o. lookin like a sucka…but the guy who got hit probably looked like one too. One thing that has been ovelooked in regards to bruce bowen is his whiney faced look which is definately on par with the likes of toine and ai and them…
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Go Get 'Em says:
Are you kidding me? Did you really write an article about Bruce Bowen and the Hall Of Fame?!
Borat: “Bruce Bowen is Hall of Fame material…(pause)… NOT!!!
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Bron42 says:
wait, so its fine for manu and nash to flop cuz its helping their team, even though its wrong, but bowen lockin people up and sometimes crossin the line is terrible?
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:13 pm
jnuh says:
If by “locking up” you mean “playing defense with his hands, illegally grabbing anything/everything he can reach”; and if by “crossin(g) the line” you mean “intentionally causing harm to opponents by stepping under their feet as they land” then you’re absolutely right on.
Bowen, much like Bron42, is annoying as fuck and doesn’t deserve the slightest consideration in any discussion.
Out.
For both of them.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Ian says:
bowen is out
but people stop talking out your asses the man is great hes not as dirty as malone
does what his team needs to win
maybe if the suns had someone like him they could challenge the spurs
and the most important thing
everyone here wishes they had someone like bowen on their team
December 4th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Bron42 aka Global4Areason says:
lol that was cute jnuh. I mean your obviously right, all bowen does is cheat shops and has no real talent. All those mistake all defense listings gone to waste. Thank god your here to clear it all up. I mean since you obviously have played him and kno exactly what he does. Unless…your just goin by…what you see on espn when they highlight..cuz if thats the case kobe is a dirty player too. MJ was a dirty player also then cuz he used to hand check and grab jerseys etc..but nah, you wouldnt be that dumb..would you? but again, very cute comment.
when all the smoke settles bron, just like bruce bowen, gets it done. so kiss the rings bitch.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Bron42 aka Global4Areason says:
and like i said, its bad for bowen to “intentionally cause harm” by stepping under someones foot…but steve nash kicks someone and its “Like I said, time is runnin out and a team mean streak might be needed.”? Isn’t kicking someone intentional harm? ya..cuz that makes a ton of sense.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:51 am
QQ says:
I don’t know why, but seeing the headline of this article made me laugh. Bowen? Srsly?
December 4th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
jnuh says:
Some kick that was!
Nash could be a pro soccer player if he wanted to.
If he really kicked Yao, the big fella would be on the injured reserve right now.
ONE measly incident that is hardly worth mentioning (like most of your posts Bron) is not even close to being the same what douche bag Bowen does game in, game out: being a hand holding, jersy grabbing, shooting guard injuring hack.
Hand checking was permitted in Jordan’s era. If MJ was playing now with the no hand check & no palming/carrying/travelling that seems to be more frequently called these days he’d only average 25 a night & probably foul out a couple more times a year.
But back to Bowen. If he was on any other team but San Antonio he’d be a poor man’s Ruben Patterson.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Global4NOREASON -
Did you actually read my post or did you just hit back with the automated out-of-office reply?
Let’s review :
“I’m fine with crossin the line when needed, so I’m cool with Bowen gettin grimy to get his team W’s but he ain’t no damn hall of famer.”
Now where in that did you get
“wait, so its fine for manu and nash to flop cuz its helping their team, even though its wrong, but bowen lockin people up and sometimes crossin the line is terrible?”
read the post and stop comparin dudes who get tackled or flop to a cheap shot artist who ain’t shit without Duncan, Parker, or Manu.
There’s a reason dude took forever to get into the L. I’m glad he found a gig cheapshottin, kickin nuts, slidin feet to break ankles and once every 20 games hittin a wide open three when TD, TP, Manu, Fin or Horry give him scraps. Go away with this shit about this fool gettin anything done.
One more thing:
“when all the smoke settles bron, just like bruce bowen, gets it done. so kiss the rings bitch.”
WTF are you talkin about?
Bowen’s a dirty “defender” and he’s out. deal with it and never compare this clown to kobe, MJ or any other real ballplayer again.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Ian says:
kdizzle
whats your point????
December 5th, 2007 at 4:32 am
K-Dizzle says:
Obviously, you didn’t read the post either.
I have no problem with anybody gettin grimy to win a title, that’s how the Pistons beat Mike back when, but I have a problem comparing players who can hold their own within the parameters of the game but play with an edge to other players who are known to be dirty and get credit where it isn’t due. You know what, Ian? I’ve read my post and it makes perfect sense. If you have a problem understandin it. Start from #27, then skip ahead to 40 and 41, then read 44 and very slowly read #47 again. You’ll notice at the top the post was directed at Bron since he had something to say to me. Therefore, “my point” doesn’t really affect you unless you also go by ‘Bron42′ Get back to me when the fog lifts
December 5th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Ian says:
im not going by anybody
just wanted a better explanation
everyone here says hes out even me (im a spurs fan)
but dont say that the man is no good hes just dirty and needs an edge
remember he was all defensive in miami
December 5th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Sacto J says:
Rodman had 5 rings and doesn’t get in, and he was entertaining. Bowen really shouldn’t even be in this discussion. What the hell…..