| Bruce Bowen was born June 14,
1971 in Merced, California. This was the beginning of something
great. His favorite quote growing up was:
It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.
-Seneca
Even at a young age, he knew it would be tough but he knew
he could do it. Bruce took all the rough roads to reach the
big leagues. Now at the big leagues, he is still facing criticism
about his talent.
Bruce started off like any other NBA star did. He attended
Cal State Fullerton where he put up decent numbers. Back then,
he was known more as a scorer rather than a defensive wizard.
His three point shot was going to be the key to his NBA dream.
That following year in 1993, Bruce did not hear his name
called in the draft. Mike Peplowski, Leonard White, and Byron
Wilson were all called to the podium, but no Bruce. Rather
than giving up, Bowen seemed like he had a chip on his shoulder
and was ready to prove everyone wrong.
He decided to go to Europe, where he played in France. Still
known mostly as a scorer he lit up the scoring sheets putting
up 30 a game for two years in 1995 and 1996. He wanted more
competition so he tried the CBA where he finally got a break.
While playing a game, scouts noticed his scoring ability and
how quick his feet were. The dream had started for Bowen.
His first shot was one NBA game with the Miami Heat near
the end of the season where he got one block in one minute.
That summer Bruce worked and worked until he knew he was ready.
He went into the Boston training camp and was signed to a
2-year deal. He knew what he had to prove.
He played 21.4 MPG and even started nine games in the process.
He was shooting .339 from behind the arc, which was not great
but still good for the young Celtics team. He even put up
1.43 SPG and started what looked like to be a promising career.
Then it happened, the downfall. The next year his numbers
went down increasingly which caused the Boston Celtics to
let him go in the off-season. He then tried with the Philadelphia
Sixers, which caused his numbers to go even lower. Next was
the Miami Heat for the second time where he started to find
his rhythm but still was nothing more then an average bench
player.
Spurs Sign Bowen
Out of luck or pure genius, the Spurs signed him. Spurs were
nothing big yet by on the rise. Also was their coach, Gregg
Popovich. With Tim Duncan and David Robinson along with other
scorers on the team, Bruce knew he had to bring more just
to earn playing time.
Night after night, he spent in the gym. Working on footwork
and defensive plays. What Bruce would become is what the Spurs
were looking for; a lockdown defender. He knew he would not
be the flashiest or the team favorite but he knew what they
needed to win and so did Gregg Popovich. From day one, Bruce
was a starter. He put up seven PPG along with 1.05 SPG. The
Bruce of younger years was back and better than ever.
Bruce also realized something. He could take more chances
on his man because he had the two big men down low to clean
up his mess. He started to take chances and these chances
paid off. The big names like Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and
Ray Allen were all finding out about this guy. Mostly because
the amount of effort they had to put in against him just to
get two baskets.
Bruce never took a play off, always playing like if his man
scored, it was a game winner and that also lead to a stellar
second year with the Spurs where he put up the same amount
of numbers but on better shooting. Another secret the NBA
had not really seen from him began to emerge. He could hit
the threes.
That year he helped San Antonio Spurs reach the finals. His
lockdown play on the New Jersey Nets main stars helped them
earn their first World championship. He was finally getting
his credit and people finally knew who he was.
This is when it turned on him. People began to take cheap
shots saying he was 'dirty' and did not deserve a ring because
he hacked and gave elbows to the opposition. All he could
do to shut up these critics was to do it all over again.
In 2005, he won his second ring beating the defending Detroit
Pistons. His play on Rip Hamilton earned him so credit but
also the critics still tried to bring down his talent level
calling him even more names. That year he had been beaten
out for the DPOY by a small margin by Ben Wallace of the Pistons.
Though disappointed he knew what he had to do and came out
strong the next year.
He ended up second yet again to Ben Wallace. Though second
in voting the world new that Rings speak louder than votes
so he could still be proud. Proud of the fact that he started
out as nothing and now as known as one of the NBA's best man
to man defenders.
If you consider his pinpoint three point shooting or his
durability, (holds Spurs record with 190 games started in
a row) will all know Bruce we be loved and hated for his defense.
He has found his way to fit in the NBA and either the NBA
likes it or not, Bruce will continue to tear up opposing defenders
for a few more years.
By spartacus
Basketball
Central Articles Home
|
