Spurs to Retire Bruce Bowen's No. 12 Jersey on March 21

by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Jan 23, 2012 2:08 PM CST in Spurs News

SAN ANTONIO (January 23, 2012) – The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they will retire Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 jersey on Wednesday, March 21 when the Spurs host the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bowen’s No. 12 jersey will join James Silas’ No. 13, George Gervin’s No. 44, Johnny Moore’s No. 00, David Robinson’s No. 50, Sean Elliott’s No. 32 and Avery Johnson’s No. 6 in the rafters in the AT&T Center.

"Bruce Bowen was the premier perimeter defender in the NBA for close to a decade," said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. "His success is proof that hard work and determination do, in fact, pay off. Statistics are meaningless when talking about his importance to this franchise. The simple fact is the Spurs don't win NBA Championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007 without Bruce Bowen."

Bowen joined the Spurs on July 31, 2001. He spent nine seasons (2001-09) in San Antonio and appeared in 630 games, one of just eight players to appear in 600-plus games with the Spurs. Bowen started in every game he played in for the Silver and Black, averaging 6.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31.2 minutes.

The 6-7 guard out of Cal State Fullerton earned a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Team in eight of his nine seasons with the Spurs (was a second team selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 before earning first team honors in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008). Bowen is one of five swingmen in NBA history to earn All-Defensive Team honors in eight-or-more straight seasons joining Scottie Pippen (10 straight from 1991-00), Bobby Jones (nine straight from 1977-85), John Havlicek (eight straight from 1969-76) and Michael Cooper (eight straight from 1981-88).

On Feb. 22, 2002, Bowen started a streak of 500 consecutive games played and started which lasted until March 14, 2008. The streak was the longest in the NBA at the time and is the longest in Spurs franchise history, surpassing Avery Johnson’s mark of 296 consecutive games.

Bowen ranks second on the Spurs all-time leaders list in three-pointers made (661) and attempted (1,632). He shot 40.5 percent from downtown during his nine seasons with the Silver and Black which ranks seventh all-time. In 2003-04 Bowen led the NBA in three-point shooting with a .441 (101-229) mark from downtown.

Bowen was a part of three NBA Championship tea

ms with the Spurs. He appeared in 122 playoff games, averaging 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists. His .438 (161-368) shooting percentage from three-point range ranks second among Spurs all-time playoff leaders.

A leader on and off the court, Bowen earned the NBA’s Community Assist Award twice (March 2005 and January 2006) for his efforts in the San Antonio community. In 2004 Bowen launched GET FIT with Bruce and Buddy, a comprehensive program aimed towards fighting childhood obesity in San Antonio. Nearly 15,000 boys and girls participated in the program.

In 13 NBA seasons Bowen appeared in 873 regular season games, averaging 6.1 points, 2.8 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 27.6 minutes. After playing several seasons in France and the Continental Basketball Association, he made his NBA debut in 1996-97 with the Miami Heat. Bowen also saw action with the Boston Celtics (1997-99), Philadelphia 76ers (1999-2000) and made a return trip to Miami (2000-01) before eventually making his mark in San Antonio.

Silver & Black Give Back (SBGB) will give Spurs family the opportunity to honor Bowen prior to his jersey being raised at a luncheon which will take place Monday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the AT&T Center. Former teammates and the entire 2011-12 Spurs team will be on hand to recognize Bowen. Those in attendance will be able to enjoy a silent auction, a chance to win a trip with the team to a road playoff game and preview the banner that will be raised to the rafters on March 21. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit SBGB. To purchase tickets or for more information on the luncheon please call (210) 444‐5609 or email sbgb@attcenter.com.

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Rec’ed.

Well deserved. A tribute to the no-stats all-stars.

A casual diehard Spurs fan.

by Sh!fty on Jan 23, 2012 2:12 PM CST reply actions

If case some of you never read it. Or if you want to read it again:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/magazine/01Letters-t-THENOSTATSAL_LETTERS.html?ref=magazine

A casual diehard Spurs fan.

by Sh!fty on Jan 23, 2012 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

Completely deserved!

Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.

by SpursfanSteve on Jan 23, 2012 2:12 PM CST reply actions

I always knew they were going to do it. If it werent for him, the Spurs wouldnt have won the championship in 05 and 07.

Usually what the Spurs do on the off-season is frutrating and mind boggling, but with a shirt in july that says "NBA champions" im totally okay with what the Spurs are doing.

by Spurs4life on Jan 23, 2012 2:18 PM CST reply actions

Sweet. I will break out the Bowen Jersey for this game for sure!!!

Do or do not! There is no try!

by Spurs Yoda on Jan 23, 2012 2:25 PM CST reply actions

I wrote this back when he retired. Bruce was my favorite. The anti-Matt Bonner, if you will.

Smart, very smart player. I have nothing but respect for him.

"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles

by Fred Silva on Jan 23, 2012 2:26 PM CST reply actions

That article really captures his Bruce-ness, Fred! You should send it to the Spurs org to use at his fete. I’m so happy #12 will be hangin’ in the rafters:)

When Tim Duncan isn’t on the court, the Spurs lose a bit of their intellect. When Ginobili goes missing, the Spurs lose their heart. - Tim V. 48MoH

by p2cat on Jan 23, 2012 3:01 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Its long time coming. He deserves it. Now, let us make him the defensive coach for our youth.

Keep the faith!!

by Heman on Jan 23, 2012 2:28 PM CST reply actions

Awesome. Well deserved and a nice gesture by the Spurs.

by Big50 on Jan 23, 2012 2:31 PM CST reply actions

Overdue, and well deserved. I’ll be tuning in.

I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.

by Ed (dfjmed) on Jan 23, 2012 2:32 PM CST reply actions

grats, Bowen!
- from fan from Fullerton,Ca

by i luv this site on Jan 23, 2012 3:06 PM CST reply actions

So happy for Bruce. I’m still mad at Chris Paul for flopping and getting him suspended, thus breaking his games played streak.

"If the NBA season is a marathon, Gregg Popovich is a full-blooded Kenyan."

-Timothy Varner 48MoH

by Jordan Leithart on Jan 23, 2012 3:24 PM CST reply actions

dont forget that he punched him to altough chirs paul has always been kind of a punk I dont think players were use to the way Bowen guarded them it wasnt custom the way he did it in the day and age he was playing.

GO SPURS GO
SPURS 2012 NBA Champions (if team is healty LoL)

by Manu-20 on Jan 23, 2012 5:20 PM CST up reply actions

This is awesome. I have nothing but respect for Bruce.

"That’s cool." - Duncan on his near quadruple-double in game 6 of the 2003 NBA Finals.

by Bakkie009 on Jan 23, 2012 4:23 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Congrats to Bruce, it is deserved.

by Spurlady on Jan 23, 2012 4:43 PM CST reply actions

Cool.
Cool cool cool.

"Sometimes I think I lost something really important to me, and it turns out I already ate it."

by DrumsInTheDeep on Jan 23, 2012 4:47 PM CST reply actions

This is overdue, but welcome news.

The longest, brightest day is followed by the darkest night.

by Tim C. on Jan 23, 2012 4:50 PM CST reply actions

congrats Mr potato head best spurs perimeter defender there was and will be

GO SPURS GO
SPURS 2012 NBA Champions (if team is healty LoL)

by Manu-20 on Jan 23, 2012 5:09 PM CST reply actions

“The simple fact is the Spurs don’t win NBA Championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007 without Bruce Bowen.”

“ding ding”

by In the 666 on Jan 23, 2012 5:12 PM CST reply actions

thats the truth brother

GO SPURS GO
SPURS 2012 NBA Champions (if team is healty LoL)

by Manu-20 on Jan 23, 2012 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Miss that guy. Well deserved.

"You and I have unfinished business." - Beatrix Kiddo

by MikeyKosa on Jan 23, 2012 5:18 PM CST reply actions

Congrats, Bruce! Thanks for everything!

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest." --Willy Wonka

by SleepCrack on Jan 23, 2012 5:21 PM CST reply actions

That’s good shit, he most definitely deserved this honor.

One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.

by gunnin' gervin on Jan 23, 2012 5:26 PM CST reply actions

Well deserved!

"I'm good at killing fat boys. I like killing fat boys." ~Arya Stark

by Ayatollah on Jan 23, 2012 6:29 PM CST reply actions

The best defensive player I have ever seen and its not close. Great for Bruce and well deserved. He represents everything that is right about the spurs organization.
If it depended on me, I would hire him as a defensive trainer for our young kids.

"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"

by Chilai on Jan 23, 2012 6:40 PM CST reply actions

He was Bruce Bowen.

A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.

by alamobro on Jan 23, 2012 6:49 PM CST reply actions

Awesome...

…and well-deserved. Congrats, Mr. Potato Head!

by silverandblack_davis on Jan 23, 2012 7:01 PM CST reply actions

I’d retire his jersey for that only.

by LatinD on Jan 23, 2012 8:34 PM CST up reply actions

I forget, did he get suspended for that kung fu kick?

If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross

by doubleteapot on Jan 24, 2012 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

I think not. His streak of consecutive games was broken only after that Chris Paul Flopping Incident.

Yo, I’m 6-11, but I just want to dribble through my legs and shoot jumpshots like a guard. - Marc Blucas on Tim Duncan

by TDzilla! on Jan 25, 2012 4:09 AM CST up reply actions

Tried to find a video of his block on Chauncey Billup’s three in game 7. My favorite moment of his.

So well deserved. Lets invite Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, and Jason Terry.

by r21x on Jan 23, 2012 8:32 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

rec’d

Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.

by SpursfanSteve on Jan 23, 2012 9:59 PM CST up reply actions

“Bruce go lockdown Hamilton”
(a couple of minutes later)
“good job, he hasnt scored in the whole quarter, now go lockdown Billups”
(Spurs win)

"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"

by Chilai on Jan 23, 2012 11:26 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Rec’d.

The 2012 season: the Spurs have a chance, but only if Manu can be Manu in the playoffs. - CapHill
Pounding the Rock

by J.R. Wilco on Jan 24, 2012 5:55 AM CST up reply actions

Whoa, just read this. I’m elated!

(Full disclaimer: I hate everyone.) -- Fred Silva and JRW

by quincyscott on Jan 23, 2012 9:14 PM CST reply actions

congrats to good ol’ Bruce! one of my favs! i wonder if he’ll wear a bow tie for the ceremony. lol.

"You know the difference between you and me? I make this look GOOD." - Agent Jay, Men In Black

by RG8907 on Jan 23, 2012 9:43 PM CST reply actions

Finally!!

I was getting tired of watching scrubs with 10 day contracts wearing Bowen jersey.

"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobili

by spursfan87 on Jan 23, 2012 9:46 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Well deserved honor. Congrats Bruce!

by CapHill on Jan 23, 2012 10:02 PM CST via Android app reply actions

Finally! Arguably one of the greatest perimeter defenders of all time. Why haven’t the Spurs tried to hire him as a defensive coach? can’t wait!… to see number 12 retired.

by spurlover on Jan 24, 2012 1:07 AM CST via mobile reply actions

He probably enjoys his life outside of basketball too much.

Winter is coming

by grego21 on Jan 24, 2012 12:27 PM CST up reply actions

i would’ve been disgusted if this hadn’t happened…though i always knew it would.

this space left intentionally blank.

by sleep research facility on Jan 24, 2012 3:38 AM CST reply actions

now let’s get him on Pop’s coaching staff and teach Kawhi and Green some of his secret defense stuff

Yo, I’m 6-11, but I just want to dribble through my legs and shoot jumpshots like a guard. - Marc Blucas on Tim Duncan

by TDzilla! on Jan 24, 2012 5:58 AM CST reply actions

Bruce typifies the word Spur in every respect.

by indiancharlie on Jan 24, 2012 10:48 AM CST reply actions

Don’t know how I missed this before, but this is AWESOME!!!!! Congrats Bruce!!!!

"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton

by Trey Felder on Jan 24, 2012 3:34 PM CST reply actions