Bruce Bowen Retires from the NBA

Bruce Bowen, arguably the best perimeter defender of his generation, has decided to retire from the NBA. In his eight years with the San Antonio Spurs, Bowen was able to capture three NBA championships while cementing his legacy as a defensive monster.

From 2003 to 2008, Bowen was named to the All-Defensive first team all five seasons. The three previous seasons saw him named to the All-Defensive second team. Bowen also finished second in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award multiple times.

Though the now 38-year-old small forward wasn’t know for his offense, he was an accomplished three-point shooter who seemed to always knock down momentum-changing shots. For his career, he shot 39.3% from beyond the three-point line to go along with a scoring average of 6.1 points.

The Spurs will undoubtedly miss Bowen’s defensive play, the team moved on to a younger generation this offseason. Richard Jefferson was brought in from the Milwaukee Bucks to start at small forward. Add in a healthy Manu Ginobili and there weren’t many minutes available at the swingman spots.

Oh and that sigh of relief you heard are exhales from the countless scorers who Bowen bottled up over the years. They are glad to see him ride off into the sunset.

Bruce Bowen Retires - San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)