tinysands
2007-04-04, 02:07 PM
Spurs' Bowen blasts Sonics
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040407.01C.BKNspurs.sonics.gamer.2d61c780.html
Web Posted: 04/04/2007 12:15 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-news
Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) blast Sonics: Bowen's six 3-pointers tie his career best Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) appears to have relocated his shooting stroke just in time for the playoffs. If he can convince the NBA to schedule the Seattle SuperSonics a few more times between now and then, he'll probably be feeling even better.
Bowen made six 3-pointers, matching his most ever in a regular-season game, as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) routed the Sonics 110-91 on Tuesday night at the AT&T Center.
With Seattle focused on double-teaming Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), Bowen and the rest of the Spurs' shooters took aim from the perimeter. Bowen's 18 points were his second most of the season.
"People are going to leave him for that shot," said Duncan, who had 14 points and spent much of the game quarterbacking the offense, contributing seven of the Spurs' 26 assists. "His entire career they have, and I still don't know why.
"He loves to line it up, and we love for him to take that shot. When he's knocking them out, it makes us so much better."
Bowen hadn't been knocking down many until about two weeks ago. During a 28-game stretch beginning Jan. 17, he missed 60 of 74 3-point attempts. Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich expressed concern during that time that a back injury might have been preventing Bowen from generating enough lift with his legs.
"I had a spell where I wasn't making shots," Bowen said. "Even though things weren't going your way, you have to approach it as if they are. That's what I did during those times.
"It's unfortunate I had some terrible letdowns from where I set my bar to be, but you have to move forward. You understand you're going to have a little turbulence sometime."
Bowen and the rest of the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) haven't had too much difficulty with the Sonics this season, beating them by 20, 31 and 41 points in the previous three meetings. Texas freshmen Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin were among the 18,583 fans in attendance Tuesday, giving Durant a chance to scout one of the teams that likely will be hoping to win his services should he declare for this summer's NBA draft.
Of course, watching the Sonics try to stay afloat without Ray Allen may be enough to convince Durant to stay in school.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) shot 65.3 percent through the first three quarters before Popovich emptied his bench. Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) had 16 points and six assists. With Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) unable to play because of back spasms, Michael Finley started and scored 13 points while making his first three 3-pointers.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) made a franchise-record 16 3-pointers in their March 25 victory in Seattle, and the Sonics' defense didn't seem to have improved much since then. Seattle repeatedly failed to close out quickly enough on the Spurs' shooters while doubling Duncan inside.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had 19 assists (on 23 baskets) in the first half, three more than they totaled in Sunday's loss to Indiana.
"They just maybe decided no baskets in the paint, make us beat them from the outside," Parker said. "It was wide open all over the court, the baselines, the threes — everything."
After surrendering a seven-point lead in the final three minutes to Indiana on Sunday — a performance Popovich politely called "pathetic" — the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) put away Seattle in the third quarter. The Sonics pulled within 64-56 on a dunk by Nick Collison with 8:58 left, prompting Popovich to signal for a timeout, and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) responded by outscoring Seattle 27-9 the remainder of the quarter.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) also outrebounded the Sonics 41-22 with Fabricio Oberto (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/fabricio_oberto) providing 11 points and 10 boards off the bench. Popovich used the fourth quarter to give James White (six points) and Jackie Butler (five points) some rare playing time.
"The defense was good in the third quarter and enabled us to get a lot of guys out on the court and get them some minutes," Popovich said.
Bowen usually makes most of his contributions on the defensive end of the floor, but the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) also have come to value his timely 3-point shooting during his six seasons with the franchise. On Tuesday, he hit 6 of 9 attempts.
The only time he's made more 3-pointers was when he had seven against the Lakers in Game 2 of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals.
"People give Timmy so much attention that when the ball swings, it often ends up in his hands," Popovich said of Bowen. "So it's great to see him knocking them down."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040407.01C.BKNspurs.sonics.gamer.2d61c780.html
Web Posted: 04/04/2007 12:15 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-news
Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) blast Sonics: Bowen's six 3-pointers tie his career best Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) appears to have relocated his shooting stroke just in time for the playoffs. If he can convince the NBA to schedule the Seattle SuperSonics a few more times between now and then, he'll probably be feeling even better.
Bowen made six 3-pointers, matching his most ever in a regular-season game, as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) routed the Sonics 110-91 on Tuesday night at the AT&T Center.
With Seattle focused on double-teaming Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), Bowen and the rest of the Spurs' shooters took aim from the perimeter. Bowen's 18 points were his second most of the season.
"People are going to leave him for that shot," said Duncan, who had 14 points and spent much of the game quarterbacking the offense, contributing seven of the Spurs' 26 assists. "His entire career they have, and I still don't know why.
"He loves to line it up, and we love for him to take that shot. When he's knocking them out, it makes us so much better."
Bowen hadn't been knocking down many until about two weeks ago. During a 28-game stretch beginning Jan. 17, he missed 60 of 74 3-point attempts. Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich expressed concern during that time that a back injury might have been preventing Bowen from generating enough lift with his legs.
"I had a spell where I wasn't making shots," Bowen said. "Even though things weren't going your way, you have to approach it as if they are. That's what I did during those times.
"It's unfortunate I had some terrible letdowns from where I set my bar to be, but you have to move forward. You understand you're going to have a little turbulence sometime."
Bowen and the rest of the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) haven't had too much difficulty with the Sonics this season, beating them by 20, 31 and 41 points in the previous three meetings. Texas freshmen Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin were among the 18,583 fans in attendance Tuesday, giving Durant a chance to scout one of the teams that likely will be hoping to win his services should he declare for this summer's NBA draft.
Of course, watching the Sonics try to stay afloat without Ray Allen may be enough to convince Durant to stay in school.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) shot 65.3 percent through the first three quarters before Popovich emptied his bench. Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) had 16 points and six assists. With Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) unable to play because of back spasms, Michael Finley started and scored 13 points while making his first three 3-pointers.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) made a franchise-record 16 3-pointers in their March 25 victory in Seattle, and the Sonics' defense didn't seem to have improved much since then. Seattle repeatedly failed to close out quickly enough on the Spurs' shooters while doubling Duncan inside.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had 19 assists (on 23 baskets) in the first half, three more than they totaled in Sunday's loss to Indiana.
"They just maybe decided no baskets in the paint, make us beat them from the outside," Parker said. "It was wide open all over the court, the baselines, the threes — everything."
After surrendering a seven-point lead in the final three minutes to Indiana on Sunday — a performance Popovich politely called "pathetic" — the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) put away Seattle in the third quarter. The Sonics pulled within 64-56 on a dunk by Nick Collison with 8:58 left, prompting Popovich to signal for a timeout, and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) responded by outscoring Seattle 27-9 the remainder of the quarter.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) also outrebounded the Sonics 41-22 with Fabricio Oberto (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/fabricio_oberto) providing 11 points and 10 boards off the bench. Popovich used the fourth quarter to give James White (six points) and Jackie Butler (five points) some rare playing time.
"The defense was good in the third quarter and enabled us to get a lot of guys out on the court and get them some minutes," Popovich said.
Bowen usually makes most of his contributions on the defensive end of the floor, but the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) also have come to value his timely 3-point shooting during his six seasons with the franchise. On Tuesday, he hit 6 of 9 attempts.
The only time he's made more 3-pointers was when he had seven against the Lakers in Game 2 of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals.
"People give Timmy so much attention that when the ball swings, it often ends up in his hands," Popovich said of Bowen. "So it's great to see him knocking them down."