Yesterday Project Spurs was the first to report on the possibility of Bruce Bowen announcing his retirement from the NBA.  As expected, Bruce Bowen will announce his retirement from the NBA at a press conference scheduled for 2 p.m. today in San Antonio.

The guys at 48 Minutes of Hell recently posted their thoughts on why Bowen's jersey should hang among past great Spurs players in the AT&T Center and Project Spurs would like to echo those sentiments.

When it came down to doing the "dirty work," Bowen gladly took it on, whether it was guarding the opposing team's best perimeter scorer, point guards, or having a knack to disrupt the opposing teams defense.  In an era of flash and style in the NBA, Bowen wasn't afraid to do the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet and it was this workman-like attitude which helped the Spurs win three of their four NBA titles.

Though known for being an aggressive defender, it came with a price.  Bowen developed a reputation of being "dirty" and this may have been the reason he never won the Defensive Player of the Year award.  We saw him scuffle with the likes of Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Vince Carter, Chris Paul and even with Michael Finley when he was with Dallas.  But was this reputation deserved?  No.  Hard-nosed, tenacious defense is not "dirty" and when arguably the game's best player, Kobe Bryant, publically admits he respects Bowen's defense, that speaks volumes.

Always improving his game, he developed a 3-point shot later on in his career and had the ability to hit the key "3" when the game was on the line.  Ask the Lakers in the 2003 playoffs.

Bowen represented hard-work, toughness, a willingness to do the little-things for the betterment of the team that made the Spurs what they are today.  For these reasons and much more, number 12 should hang in the AT&T Center.

Please leave us your thoughts on whether the Spurs should retire number 12 and your thoughts and memories on Bowen's career with the Spurs.  Also please vote on whether his jersey should be retired.

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Comments (5)

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written by Soweid, September 03, 2009

I dont think he should be added but he will be misssed. ..

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written by Jeff -- Project Spurs Co-Founder, September 03, 2009

Soweid
This one is a tough one. I agree he should be retired bc I don't think the Spurs win some titles without him. ON the other hand, I do not think AJ's number should be retired. Blah! This is a tough one to decide.

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written by Dan Ehrlich, September 03, 2009

As I commented in the initial post, I think Bruce Bowen is one of the unsung heroes of the Spurs 3 title runs this decade. He is a typical example of how much a player can contribute without the stat lines to show for it. I think that his jersey should be retired. He is a Spur through and through, and represents hard work, determination, fearlessness. And he was a good person to boot. I will def miss him.

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bruce bowen 12= d-fence
written by ulysses, September 04, 2009

I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY LET HIM GO $T%$D SPURS .....DIDNT APPRICIATE ALL THE THINGS HE DID FOR THEM ....I REALLY ADMIRE PEOPLE WHO DO THINGS TO BETTER THERE T-MATES ...HE WAS ALWAYS BUSTING HIS BUTT ON THE COURT TO GET DOES CHAMPIONSHIPS......SO I HOPE THEY RETIRE HIS JERSEY AND OFFER HIM A DEFENCEIVE JOB TO BETTER THEM .......WE LOVE YOU BRUCE TAKE CARE

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Go Bruce Go
written by Jorge, September 04, 2009

I think he was one of the key Spurs players, together with TD, Manu, Tony and Horry. AND I cannot forget the 2003 playoffs. Basketball is a team game, it has been shown more than once.
I agree with you and the 48 MofH dude. And I would like his jersey retired.

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