Spurs honor Bowen with convincing win

1 of 21 | Share

Spurs 116, Timberwolves 100: March 21, 2012


Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) cringes after a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) dunks against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Wesley Johnson (04) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) drives to the goal against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Wesley Johnson (04) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) walks to the locker room followed by team trainer Will Sevening (right) after reports stated Parker had tightness in his left hamstring in the second quarter of the Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spurs Bruce Bowen smiles at fans during a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) lines up a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Danny Green (04) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spurs Bruce Bowen laughs while attending a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves’ at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) loses control of the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) gets a shot blocked by Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ James Anderson (25) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02), Gary Neal (14), Stephen Jackson (03) and Danny Green (04) take the court in the second half of play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) gestures after making a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) lines up a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) attempts a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jose Barea (11) and Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Silverdancers sport tops with former Spurs Bruce Bowen name and number during the Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony after the game. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams (07) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spurs Bruce Bowen (left) gets a kiss from his youngest son, Ozmel, while attending a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen is being honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 1
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 10
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 2
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 3
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 9
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 4
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 6
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 7
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 8
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 5
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 14
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 15
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 11
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 12
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 13
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 17
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 18
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 19
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 20
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 21
  • 2012 SPURS TWOLVES KMH 16

By Jeff McDonald

The man of the hour sat in the front row, bowtie and all. A banner emblazoned with his jersey number hung in the rafters overhead, obscured by a black curtain.

The stage was set for quite a party Wednesday night at the ATT Center.

All the Spurs had to do, before they could retire Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 for all eternity, was beat the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I’m not going to lie, it makes the mood better,” said Stephen Jackson, newly returned to the Spurs roster. “If we had lost, some people would have left.”

Instead, the latest collection of Spurs started Bruce Bowen Night off right, albeit not precisely in the manner befitting the celebration of a defensive standout, routing Minnesota 116-100.

The Spurs had six players in double figures — none of them named Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili — and led wire-to-wire in sending the Timberwolves to their 15th consecutive loss in San Antonio.

Tim Duncan had 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Spurs, and did not play after the third quarter.

? The only hiccup: Parker, the Spurs’ All-Star point guard, left before halftime with a tight left hamstring and did not return.

His status for Friday’s game against Dallas, the start of the Spurs’ first back-to-back-to-back of the season, is in doubt — but only officially.

“If I was a betting man, I’d say he’ll be back,” said Gary Neal, who would start for Parker otherwise.

The Spurs (30-14) didn’t exactly miss their leading scorer Wednesday.

Neal, Kawhi Leonard and Jackson each chipped in 16 points. Danny Green scored 14, and Tiago Splitter had 11.

For Jackson, it was quite a homecoming to the ATT Center. Playing at home for the first time since last week’s trade that brought him back to the Spurs, Jackson hit his first four shots, finishing 6 of 9, and 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

“We won, and that’s what I’m all about,” Jackson said after his first home game at the ATT Center since the 2003 NBA Finals. “I’m glad to be on a team that wins.”

The Spurs outrebounded the Timberwolves 56-41, including a 17-9 edge on the offensive glass, after being annihilated on the boards in two losses in Minnesota.

It did not help Minnesota’s cause to be without 6-foot-11 center Nikola Pekovic, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.

“He’s the guy we can throw it to and know we can get easy buckets and keep the other team off the glass,” Minnesota’s Kevin Love said.

Speaking of Love, the Spurs did a half-decent job defending the All-Star forward, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds after averaging 21 and 15.5 against them in two previous meetings.

Often, the Spurs used alternating small forwards, Jackson and Leonard, to deny Love the ball in the post.

“He’s murdered us twice already,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I thought the guys were really focused on that.”

Once the Spurs had dispensed with the business at hand, it was time to honor Bowen, who retired in 2009 an eight-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team and three-time league champion.

Unlike the last jersey retirement the Timberwolves were on hand for — Chris Mullin’s on Monday at Golden State — there were no boos from the crowd. Only the familiar chants of “Bruuuuuuce!”

Bowen became the seventh Spurs player to have his jersey retired, joining David Robinson, George Gervin, James Silas, Sean Elliott, Avery Johnson and Johnny Moore.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had anything bestowed on me quite as special as this,” said Bowen, who teared up during the ceremony.

By beating the Timberwolves, the current Spurs did their part to make the night a little more special. But only a little.

“It’s one of those nights that’s beyond the game,” Ginobili said. “What Bruce accomplished, and what he meant to this city, is beyond one game against the Timberwolves.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Timing of three days off pleasing to Parker

1 of 7 | Share

Bruce Bowen’s jersey retirement luncheon


Former Spur Bruce Bowen speaks to the media before his jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)


Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 jersey hangs at the ATT Center during his jersey retirement luncheon on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spur Bruce Bowen (left) and current Spur Tim Duncan share a moment at Bowen’s jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)


Spur Tony Parker (center) shares a laugh with teammates Tiago Splitter (left) and Tim Duncan (right) at Bruce Bowen’s jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)


Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (from left) and players Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili tell stories about former teammate Bruce Bowen at his jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)


Retired Spurs forward Bruce Bowen is introduced by fellow Spurs great Sean Elliott at a luncheon honoring Bowen at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)


Former Spurs players Danny Ferry (right) and Sean Marks chat during the jersey retirement luncheon for Bruce Bowen at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

  • Bowen Jersey 1 BRO
  • Bowen Jersey 2 BRO
  • Bowen Jersey 3 BRO
  • Bowen Jersey 4 BRO
  • Bowen Jersey 5 BRO
  • Bowen Jersey 6 BRO
  • Bowen Jersey 7 BRO

As deftly as Gregg Popovich has managed the minutes of his players in the compressed, 66-game post-lockout schedule — only Tony Parker and Tim Duncan average as many as 28 minutes per game — the Spurs coach is mindful of the grind that awaits his team in the final six weeks.

Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves at the ATT Center will begin a stretch of six games in eight nights, including the final three on the road.

Awaiting in mid-April: Eight games in 11 days.

Thus, the three-day break in the schedule that arrived after Saturday’s loss in Dallas was welcomed by everyone, especially Parker, the only Spurs player averaging more than 30 minutes (34.5).

“Definitely, it’s going to help recharge the battery,” said Parker, who admitted fatigue played a role Saturday when he was held to 13 points, his lowest output in March. “I think it was catching up with me because it was a hard game against Oklahoma City (on Friday).

“These three days are definitely going to help me be ready for the big stretch coming up for us.

“Back-to-back-to-back, six games in eight days. That’s a lot of games coming up, so these three days are perfect.”

Aware that Parker didn’t seem as sharp Saturday as he has been most of the season, Popovich promised to guard against overworking him.

“We’ll watch that,” he said. “He’s strong, he’s in great shape, he’s more focused than ever. It’s his best year, and he’s had some good ones.

“We want him to keep that level of energy and focus, and we certainly don’t want to start overplaying him to win a game here and there, that’s for sure.”

Retirement lunch: After an early practice Monday morning, the entire Spurs roster bussed to the ATT Center for a luncheon honoring Bruce Bowen, whose No. 12 will be retired in conjunction with Wednesday’s game.

Bowen, who won three championships with the Spurs before retiring in the summer of 2009, called the impending honor the most special one ever bestowed on him.

“Someone asked me, ‘What if you’re inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame?’” Bowen, 40, said before the luncheon. “It wouldn’t surpass this. This is something that comes from the organization and people you were around for quite some time.”

Considered the premier wing defender of his time, Bowen was named to eight consecutive All-Defensive teams, including five straight first-team mentions between 2002-03 and 2007-08.

Those who played with Bowen consider his inclusion in the ATT Center rafters to be a no-brainer. He will join George Gervin, David Robinson, James Silas, Johnny Moore, Avery Johnson and Sean Elliott as players similarly honored.

“He’s not the type of player who normally gets his jersey retired,” said Manu Ginobili, who played alongside Bowen for seven seasons. “But what he’s done in this franchise was big. It’s very well-deserved.”

mikemonroe@express-news.net

Spurs memory No. 10: Controversial officiating blamed for Spurs ’79 series loss

Date: Friday, May 19, 1979
Place: Capital Centre, Landover, Md.
Score: Washington Bullets 107, San Antonio Spurs 105.

Veteran Spurs fans still have nightmares when they hear the names of former NBA referees John Vanak and Paul Mihalik.

That officiating crew was involved in the Spurs’ devastating Game 7 loss to Washington in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals that still reverberates in the annals of Spurs Nation. The Bullets’ 107-105 victory ended the Spurs’ best hopes to win an NBA championship in the early era of their franchise.  

Bobby Dandridge scored 37 points to lead Washington on a 10-2 run in the final 1:52 to spark the wild comeback victory. The late rally enabled the Bullets to rally from a 3-1 series deficit to advance to the NBA Finals.

Dandridge’s game-winning 16-footer with eight seconds left came over three Spurs defenders, capping the late charge.

After the game, San Antonio coach Doug Moe had some pointed comments about the officiating late in the game. In the final 3:39, nine fouls were called with seven against the Spurs. Washington went 11 for 15 from the foul line in the final quarter while the Spurs made three of four.

“The refs stole it,” Moe told reporters after the game. “John Vanak and Paul Mihalik wouldn’t make a call for us at the end. It was a great refereed game and then they stole it at the end.

“It makes you wonder if it was on purpose. They should be set before the firing squad. They (Washington) stole their way into the finals. Vanak just takes over and puts it to you. Who knows if it’s personal?”

Twenty-six years later, Jeff Van Gundy made similar complaints about officiating in a Game 7 loss to Dallas while  coaching Houston. It earned him a $100,000 fine from the league – and a two-year contract extension from the Rockets’ management. 

Moe’ was fined $5,000 by the league for his tirade after the Game 7 loss. Listeners at KTSA collected 500,000 pennies to pay for it.

San Antonio blew a 94-87 lead with 5:41 left in a game that could have sent them to their first NBA Finals with a victory.

Washington coach Dick Motta told reporters after the game that on his final possession, he didn’t really call a set play for Dandridge. He instead merely told him to improvise, which Dandridge did.

“I was just trying to run the clock to five seconds,” Dandridge told reporters after the game. “(Tom) Henderson was supposed to tell me how much time was left. The crowd started hollering and I just went for the best shot I could. I wasn’t fully conscious that there were eight seconds left.”

The Spurs had one chance to tie the game on their last possession. Elvin Hayes blocked James Silas’ late shot into the hands of Larry Kenon.  

Unfortunately for the Spurs, Dandridge was there again to slap the ball away from Kenon. Greg Ballard finally picked up the ball for Washington and held on until the buzzer  to finish the Bullets’ improbable comeback.

Moe wasn’t the only San Antonio complainer in the locker room.

“We couldn’t handle Washington and the referees,” Silas told the San Antonio Light after the game.“The game was stolen from us. There isn’t much more that can be said. We dominated things all through the second half, worked hard and then had it taken away.”

However it happened, it sent delirious Washington fans into frenzy unusual for a victory in the playoffs before the finals. The victory even prompted a rare 1A cover story about fan reaction the following day in the staid Washington Post.

George Gervin was magnificent in the loss, scoring 42 points including 24 in the second half. His big game provided the underdog Spurs a chance to claim an unexpected victory against the defending NBA champions.

But the Spurs had no answer for a tactical decision by Motta to play Dandridge at guard in the fourth quarter with Ballard at forward.

The unconventional ploy enabled Washington finish on a 22-9 blitz, with Dandridge accounting for nine points and Ballard with seven during that stretch.

And despite their complaints about officiating, the Spurs helped contribute to the collapse. They wilted with only one field goal in the final 3 minutes of the game and made only four field goals in their final 14 attempts. Gervin went cold late in the game with no points in the final 3:49 of the game.

Washington never led in the second half until the final two possessions of the game.

“What hurt is we dominated the game. I feel like we should’ve been in the finals,” Spurs center Billy Paultz told the Express-News after the game.

“We can’t blame the refs. We have to blame ourselves. That’s why they’re the World Champions and we’re not.”

With the Spurs nursing a 103-99 lead in the final two minutes, two critical fouls turned the game around.

Kenon, who scored 21 points in the first 26 minutes of the game, missed on a jumper. Paultz was called for fouling Wes Unseld on the rebound, leading to two foul shots by the Washington center that pulled them within 103-101 with 1:36 left.

The series turned on the next call. Paultz tried to set a pick on Henderson, who was guarding Silas. But Vanak whistled Paultz for an illegal screen as Henderson emphasized the contract by making an exaggerated tumble to the floor.

Dandridge then converted a basket on the next possession to tie the game with 1:24 left, setting the stage for his game-winning hoop.

The loss was a devastating ending for the Spurs, who led 82-76 heading into the fourth quarter and dropped the final three games of the series by a combined 14 points.

Washington, the defending NBA champion, was outplayed most of the game and hit only 41 percent from the field.

The game was enlivened by a near brawl late in the third quarter when Larry Wright drove on a fast break. Spurs forward Mark Olberding fouled him and Wilson bounced up and instigate the rumble. Olberding then pushed Wright and the benches emptied. Silas said that Hayes threw a punch in the melee and should have been ejected.

Hayes produced a monster game inside with 25 points, 15 rebounds, seven blocked shots and three steals. Kenon finished with 22 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

The game also became infamous in Spurs history because of a 15-minute power failure earlier in the third quarter when San Antonio had snatched the game’s momentum. Spurs vice president of basketball operations Danny Ferry, then the 12-year-old son of Washington general manager Bob Ferry, joked to Gervin that he had pulled the switch that sent the building into darkness.  

Ferry later denied to the Express-News he had been involved.

“It wasn’t me,” Ferry said. “And if my dad had anything to do with it, he’s still not saying.”

They said it, part I: “While the rest of you focus on the Spurs’ effort to defrock the Pistons and win their third NBA title I’ll never ever get over how they got jobbed in Game 7 of the 1979 Eastern Conference finals against the Bullets. Accordingly, the Spurs were immobilized from beating up on the Sonics for the championship that should’ve been theirs to have and to hold to this day forward, so help me God,” New York Post columnist Peter Vescey, describing the game 26 years after  it happened.

They said it, part II: “While everyone else is locked into the 2005 Finals, I’m dead stuck on the notion if Vanak didn’t make that counterfeit call, the Spurs wouldn’t have had to wait until 1999 to become the first ABA team to win an NBA title; it would have happened three years after the (NBA/ABA) consolidation,” Vescey on the late calls.

They said it, part III: “With four minutes left and a seven-point lead, I was already thinking about the Seattle series. I was thinking about championship rings,” Spurs owner Angelo Drossos, describing his emotions before the late collapse.

They said it, part IV: “Thank you guys for your coverage and I’ll see you in the fall.  Go talk to the winners. It’s summertime for me. It’s all over now,” Gervin’s comments to reporters after the crushing loss.

They said it, part V: “It was the same play we use, the forward comes out and sets a pick for the guard. I saw the play develop. I felt if I could get to that side, I could block it. I timed it just right,” Hayes, to the Washington Post on his game-clinching block. 

They said it, part VI: “We knew they’d go either to Silas or Gervin. We wanted to force them to the middle and let Gervin play the shooter,” Motta, to reporters after the game, on his team’s late defensive strategy. 

They said it, part VII: “I dreamed last night that we’d win by 16 or 18 points. This game ended the toughest two weeks of my life. But when we were down 3-1, I thought in the back of my mind we could come back and win it,” Motta to the Post about his team’s resiliency in winning the series.

They said it, part VIII: “It was strictly bull. I just told Bobby to go out and score two points,” Motta on the strategy of his game-winning play.

They said it, part IX: “He got me pretty good. But I went down to make it look better,” Henderson, to the Washington Post about drawing the foul on Paultz.

THE UPSHOT: Washington became only the third team at the time to overcome a 3-1 deficit and still win a seven-game series. But the Bullets were unable to defend their NBA championship, losing in five  games to Seattle … The Spurs would not advance to the NBA Finals until 1999 … The Washington loss was the last game that legendary Spurs broadcaster Terry Stembridge would  call for the franchise. He retired after the season to enter the oil business … Moe would leave the franchise after a disappointing 33-33 start in the following season. Paultz would be traded to Houston midway through the next season … The loss dropped the Spurs’ record at the Capital Centre to 1-12.

Previous Spurs most memorable moments:

No. 11: Duncan’s decision to remain .

No. 12: seals 1994 scoring title.   

No. 13: makes history.

No. 14: to wrap up 1978 scoring title.

No. 15: Strickland’s critical turnover .

No. 16: Spurs join NBA .

No. 17: Ice becomes the .  

No. 18: Kerr’s unexpected barrage .

No. 19: Rodman’s final Spurs incident .

No. 20:after injury-riddled 3-15 1996 start.

No. 21: Spurs for David Greenwood.

No. 22: Spurswith bubbly.

No. 23: Horry-Nash , may have sparked title run.

No. 24: Ice’s clandestine arrival .

No. 25: Barkleywith series-clinching shot.

No. 26: Silas becomes first Spur.

No. 27: Robinson makes history with .

No. 28: after crucial 1999 victory at Houston.

No. 29: on Halloween night.

No. 30: Torrid San Diego shooting