Comments on: A Number Never to be Worn Again

By: Bucksketball.com - TrueHoop Network Milwaukee Bucks Blog

Bucksketball.com - TrueHoop Network Milwaukee Bucks Blog — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:40:17 +0000

[...] when looking into retiring numbers in the future. Sure, it may seem like a great idea now to retire Bruce Bowen’s number in San Antonio, but in twenty years will it really be necessary to remember him in the same light [...]

By: ‘Net reaction: Goodbye sweet Bruce | Hot NBA Videos.com

‘Net reaction: Goodbye sweet Bruce | Hot NBA Videos.com — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:40:49 +0000

[...] 48 Minutes of Hell: "When I was a boy, my father used to talk a lot about Lawrence Taylor. In my Dad’s opinion LT was a new kind of player. In football the term ‘game-changer’ is often only applied to offensive skill players. But my dad believed that, for the first time in the history of the game, you could genuinely use that term to describe a linebacker. Taylor’s ability to not merely counter the offensive’s attack but dictate pace and, in some startling instances, possession struck my Dad as unparalleled. Bowen and Taylor have many differences: Taylor’s career was defined by his unique combination of size and speed; Bowen’s by his ability to be effective despite his lack of athleticism. But in some sense both inhabit a similar milieu: rather than abide by the traditional notions of defense in their respective sports, they somehow transcended their role. They took the simple task of stopping an opponent and transformed it into an act of expression." [...]

By: Bentley

Bentley — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:34:54 +0000

If Bowen doesn’t get his jersey retired, I’ll cry

By: Robby

Robby — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:28:08 +0000

Agreed Will, very well said…

By: Will

Will — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:42:56 +0000

Jimbo, first of all each franchise draws the line at what is “good enough” to have a jersey retired. I think being a clear starter and an “indentity-definer” for 3 rings should be good enough.

Second, you mention it would cheapen D-Rob or Duncan’s jersey retirement – actually these guys have the HoF as supreme recognition. For me retiring jerseys is something else entirely – otherwise it’s just redundant with the HoF. I’d like the Spurs going “sentimental” on that instead.

By: L-Man

L-Man — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:47:01 +0000

Jimbo,
Once the bar was lowered to Avery and Johnny Moore, you can’t deny a Bowen or an Elliott. If you said only the Big 3 to come along with Robinson,Gervin, and Silas I would understand your point. But, Bowen has done more than Aj and Moore to me and as much as Elliott.

By: johnny

johnny — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:52:53 +0000

Bowen should have his 12 retired. He was a great player who provided a great skill that is hard to come by. Great man to man positional defense. For a team with scorers on the team in Duncan etc. his specific skill set was far more valuable than a high scoring forward. He played his role and on many nights had the biggest impact in a spur victory. The team hall of fame is not the same as sport hall of fame. Sports hall of fames recognize the greatest players in a sport. However a team hall of fame needs to recognize players that were great for the team. This is the place where a specific team can recognize a player that was great for them and a perfect fit where in other places he might not make the same contribution. Spur number retirements should recognize great teammates that had a profound effect on the franchise. Bruce Bowen certainly fits in this criteria. I would not object to seeing him in Basketball Hall of Fame either. His specific skill set was a great asset to his team and the game, and is just as important that a scorer. Cause as we all know DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. Although you still need some people to put the ball in hoop.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:38:55 +0000

My 2 cents:

I absolutely disagree with the sentiment that Bruce Bowen’s jersey should be retired. Sure, he was a contributor to the Spurs championships, but did he really contribute enough to get his jersey retired?? Retiring the jersey of someone like Bruce Bowen really cheapens the honor to someone like David Robinson and Tim Duncan, whose jersey will eventually get up there since you are likening the contributions made by Bruce to those made by David and Tim, which is patently ridiculous. Retiring the jersey is the ultimate honor a franchise can bestow on one of its players – it should NOT be given to someone like Bowen.

Like everyone else I loved Bowen in his prime, but he just has not done nearly enough to get this honor.

By: Robby

Robby — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:30:37 +0000

Bowen #12 should be retired into the Spurs rafters…

Regarding Horry, I think his jersey should be retired too… the only question is where? he has 7 rings:
2 with the Rockets
3 with the Lakers and 2 with the Spurs… based on numbers Lakers has the edge… or maybe to all three of them… (that would be great for Horry!)

By: SpursfanSteve

SpursfanSteve — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:02:51 +0000

i dont know if it should be as a Spur, but for Horry not to have his jersey retired somewhere or to make the HOF i think would be a shame.

By: On Bruce Bowen and Retired Numbers » Boston Celtics Basketball – Celtics news, rumors and analysis – CelticsHub.com

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:54:54 +0000

[...] guys at 48 Minutes of Hell and Project Spurs are doing the rhapsodizing thing, and a campaign has already started for the [...]

By: L-Man

L-Man — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:46:16 +0000

Order of Retirement Jerseys Now And To Come

1. Duncan ( enough said)
2. Robinson (HOF) tie
2. Gervin (HOF) tie
3. Ginobili tie
3. Parker tie
4. Silas (Captain Late)
5. Elliott
5. Bowen
That would be it. I am not a fan of Avery(punk coach and whiner) or Johnny Moore(assists to Gervin who could score from anywhere?) getting in. I am a bigger fan of what Horry did than those two.

By: Robby

Robby — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:23:40 +0000

Agreed Texxus Boy, besides his contribution to defense and being a key guy in the Spurs 3 titles, he is also active in helping the community through his foundation a class act… and I always thought that he wis retire as a Spur! Hang his jersey #12 to the rafters…

By: Texxus Boy

Texxus Boy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:18:54 +0000

I believe Bruce deserving of having his number 12 jersey retired as a San Antonio Spur not only because of his defensive & slight offensive attributes on the basketball court. But more so for his service to the San Antonio community, goodwill throughout charities and other off the court ventures, thanks Bruce much love!

By: SA_Ray

SA_Ray — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:45:25 +0000

Bowen absolutely deserves to have his number retired. He is one of the most important Spurs of this Championship Era.
I can’t see how any Spurs fan could argue against it.