The Best Fit For Bruce Bowen
Most 38-year-old lanky small forwards aren’t usually sought after by championship contending teams, but Bruce Bowen brings a lot more intangibles to the table than your average 38-year-old. Even at his age, he is still one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, shoots a high percentage from three and is a proven playoff veteran. Although he is known around the league as a “dirty” player, he is tough as nails and every team could always afford to get tougher as the playoffs roll around.
Surprisingly, his former team, the San Antonio Spurs don’t have any interest in signing the veteran but a few Eastern Conference contenders do. The three teams rumored to be the most interested in him are the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.
For each of those teams, Bowen would be asked to provide veteran leadership, heckling defense and a couple threes a game off the bench. On the court, he will be able to carry the burden of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player for 12-20 minutes a game. Also, all three teams have low post presences (Dwight Howard, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett) and players that can get into the lane and distribute (Jameer Nelson, LeBron James, Rajon Rondo) which will allow Bowen to stay behind the arc on offense and hit those open corner threes. He is a good teammate and locker room veteran that could definitely be that mixing small puzzle piece that pushes a contender up to that championship winning level.
I think Bowen would be a great fit on any one of these three teams but which do you guys think would be best?
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Diego says:
Boston, no doubt.
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
thomasmmm says:
can’t he just retire in SA?
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
snook says:
bruce will be back in SA. that “no interest in signing” crap is all for show. league will obviously crack down if they knew he meant to come back. Also, by not showing interest, it will prevent other teams from picking him up from waivers. CIA POP
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
go to tha cavs lol
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Celts Fan says:
Kill to get him on the Celtics so we know we’re safe.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Chris Bosh says:
Come to the Raptors. Our team would be complete with Bruce.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Ian says:
hes coming back to san ant.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Gerard says:
Pop and Bowen didn’t get along last season, although you’re talking about a consummate professional and a class organization so you wouldn’t hear much about it.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
JH says:
As an avid SA Fan I would not be upset with however this plays out. Seeing Bowen back in the Silver & Black would be fine for nostalgic reasons…plus he knows the SA system.
At the same time, if he goes elsewhere…it’ll mean more minutes for an up & comer. There is a reason Bowen didn’t play as much last season and it’s not personal “beef” between him and POPS. Simply put…his age is starting to show and he’s not as effective as he once was.
Dirty or not…Bowen did his thing and helped SA to multiple championships. Gotta love him.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Jordon says:
Yo Dime. Boston just signed Shelden Williams
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Prof. TX says:
SA needs to get younger, not older. He’d be a better fit for the Celtics, as they’re getting a reputation for signing veterans and not playing strictly by the rules.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Rangerjohn says:
I find it funny some of the “I would never want that dirty sob on my team ” are already ” Bruce to the……
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
JCarr says:
He sucks!!!! Pushing and tripping opposing players is not good defense! Go back to the spurs so I can hate the spurs even more than before. But even better I wouldn’t want to see him in the L’ again!!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Ross says:
I’d like to see him retire a Spur.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Chicagorilla says:
Bring him to Chicago, maybe he teach Salmons, Rose, Tyrus and Deng to play defense. I wouldn’t mind him coming off the bench in a platoon role for Chicago like my man Nocioni did. Nocioni was pretty much the equivilent to Bowen, but he wasn’t in the national spot lite like Bowen.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm
zaboo says:
Come to the rockets where players go at the end of their careers. If you have no lateral movement, we’ve got a spot for you.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Ashlov says:
He SHOULD go back to the Spurs, but if not, he’s gotta go to Boston.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Ashlov says:
I still can’t believe Shelden Williams was the 5th pick of the 2006 draft. Brandon Roy was picked next.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
LakeShow84 says:
He should go back to San Antonio to retire..
You guys is trippin thinking he’ll get PT for a contender..
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Dlite says:
Bowen could referee the LBJ/Shaq Diesel drama that’s about to flare up in Cleveland
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 pm
big daddy says:
lakers for sure you know bruce wants a ring
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Gnasche says:
SA needs to bring him back as a coach. If they’re going to be playing these young guys, Bowen can teach them about hard work and subtle fouling.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 pm
doc says:
He should go fuck with Bron.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
baron von faulk says:
^22^ thank you for nailing it, i was ’bout to say it, then he can get his jersey retired like immediately and be a defensive coach
@zaboo #16 – HA!
at everyone else – I don’t think the Spurs will sign him again. they’ll roll with Malik Hairston or Marcus Williams instead and go younger…
August 4th, 2009 at 12:20 am
RJR says:
Get him to fill the spot left by the departure of Sun Yue.
August 4th, 2009 at 3:49 am
AB_40 says:
the best fit would be boston because they have no realy relaiable backup for the 3/2 cleveland and orlando have, becuase they signed guys on those positions in the last month.
who’s scoring of the bench for boston?
August 4th, 2009 at 6:49 am
OC says:
Bruce is one of those players everyone loves to HATE when he’s defending your best player, but would LOVE to have on your team.
If Bruce is thinking of retirement, then the class act would be for the Spurs to sign him and Bruce retire with the team he help get three rings.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:05 am
BD fan says:
Wow if he goes to the Celts that is going to be a HATED/INTENSE Team come playoff time with KG, Sheed, Bowen, and PP.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Darkness says:
C’mon now, he’s too washed up. Putting him on the best perimeter scorer 12-20 minutes a night means said scorer will go off during those 12-20 minutes. At this point, Bowen is being carried by his reputation, not his actual play.
August 5th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
John says:
I can speak for one team and that is the magic, we dont need some 40 yr old running around the floor for us we just picked up barnes who can be a physical player and have more than just a shot. Mark my words the Magic are bulit for the long run they have the youth.Evn if the magic dont win this yr., they will nxt. i feel bad for boston and clevland fans when the tires break rite off the bus. enjoy a lil success while you can suckers!!
August 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
D.Howard says:
WE WANT BRUCE IN ORLANDO WE WAITING FOR YOU BIG SHOOTS
August 5th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
R.LEWIS says:
BRUCE COMMON AND PLAY WITH THE MAGIC
August 5th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
V.CARTER says:
THIS IS YOUR HOME B.B.ORLANDO
August 5th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
John says:
O town baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 26th, 2009 at 10:42 am
bowen fan/ sa tx says:
I am a spotlight operator at the at@t center and i got to see bowen in action at every home game, since 2002. This guy can help any team be better , but i am hoping he returns to san antonio. Good man to have on your team ,on and off the court. I WISH HIM LUCK where ever he goes. AUG> 26,2009