Tag: In the News

Bruuuuuuuce: Bowen highlights five-person S.A. Sports Hall of Fame class

Spurs defensive stopper Bruce Bowen was announced Monday among a group of five notable athletes and coaches set for induction into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame early next year.

Bowen was a member of three Spurs NBA title teams, where he was known for his defensive prowess and his 3-point shooting ability. Before his retirement in 2009, Bowen was a five-time selection for the NBA All-Defensive first team.

Most notably, his career is a testament to perseverance after he went undrafted after his college career at Cal State Fullerton and bounced around France. His career turned around when he joined the Spurs in 2001 and became one of the top defenders in modern NBA history.

Bowen will be joined by former East Central High School basketball coach Stan Bonewitz Sr., NFL Pro Bowler David Hill, St. Mary’s pitcher Leticia Morales-Bissaro and notable U.S. equestrian leader John Russell.

All of them will be honored during ceremonies Feb. 10 at the Alamodome.

Among those Spurs figures who have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame include Bob Coleman (former member of Spurs ownership group), George Gervin, Angelo Drossos, James Silas, Red McCombs, Johnny Moore, David Robinson, Bob Bass, Sean Elliott and Avery Johnson.

Interestingly, the selection committee did not choose to induct the Spurs 1999 championship team, which had been nominated earlier in the selection process this year.

And even with all of the worthy Spurs who have already been inducted, several other strong candidates with a Spurs lineage also merit serious consideration.

Original “Voice of the Spurs” Terry Stembridge is an absolute no-brainer, as are Mike Mitchell, Larry Kenon and Doug Moe.  And anybody who grew up watching games at HemisFair Arena likely would include Pat Tallman, the first in-arena announcer for the team.

And after their retirements, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich also are locks to be recognized.

Kobe, KG show up for Tuesday’s bargaining session

Kobe Bryant made his first appearance Tuesday at the bargaining session as players and owners frantically attempt to end the NBA’s lockout.

Bryant was joined by Boston forward Kevin Garnett among the first-timers, according to a . Others players who were attending outside of the NBPA’s bargaining committe included Paul Pierce, Ben Gordon and Amar’e Stoudemire.

The apperance of Bryant, arguably the league’s most marketable star player, underscores the seriousness of the talks. About 10 NBA owners also attended Tuesday’s bargaining session in New York City.

The wider negotiating sessions have not been as effective for either side as the meetings involving smaller groups.

Both Bryant and Garnett have the reputation of being among the fiercest on-the-court competitors in the league.

But something tells me that their  celebrated determination that makes opposing players wilt in pressure situations probably won’t faze David Stern or Adam Silver when they are on the other side of the negotiating table.

Dirk tweets some friendly advice for Tony Romo

Dirk Nowitzki knows a little about public criticism over the years.

So with Dallas quarterback Tony Romo’s name being dragged through the dirt in the Dallas/Fort Worth area today after his choke job in the Cowboys’ loss to Detroit on Sunday, Nowitzki .

“Dear tony romo. Don’t worry abt all the critics. I heard that same garbage for a long time. Keep working hard and keep improving.”

Obviously, the Mavericks aren’t as widely supported in Dallas as the Cowboys during typical times. But Nowitzki has heard his share of criticism after the Mavericks’ 2006 NBA Finals loss to Miami and their resulting first-round playoff series loss to Golden State  the following season.

He took the criticism to heart and worked hard to get better. Nowitzki’s perseverance  was rewarded this year with the franchise’s first NBA title as Nowitzki claimed the NBA Finals MVP after beating the Heat in six games.

Maybe there’s a lesson for Romo to learn from that.