born june american professional basketball player played small forward graduated went play national_basketball_association philadelphia played abroad france feared perimeter defenders nba history elected nba defensive second teams times member spurs teams won nba championships court informal ambassador child awareness currently works analyst espn early years born california son problematic childhood growing claims mother took drugs sold family feed habit spent days playing basketball eventually star local west squad played seasons appearing games averaged points rebounds game averaging points rebounds assists minutes games senior named big west conference team ranks 12th time list career points seventh time rebounds professional career early struggles finishing year college eligibility eligible nba draft went instead destined athlete played different teams starting professional career french teams following season played spent season france returning lightning february nba debut signed day contract following month output consisted game minute block getting settled nba season reappeared nba having signed slowly established nba year nba player appeared games starter averaging points rebounds steals minutes game shooting field point land free throw line year disappointment appeared games averaging points rebounds minutes game nba season signed philadelphia later traded immediately waived picked season wore jersey instead appeared games averaging points rebounds minutes game scored double figures times following year retained heat year breakout season time career played regular season games averaged points rebounds assists steals minutes game set new single season career highs games points rebounds assists blocks minutes field goals attempted point goals attempted free throws attempted logged minutes scored points hit seasons combined especially earned reputation defensive strong perimeter defense voted nba season signed joined championship caliber team led veteran hall fame center young power forward complemented talented role players like point guards established starter beginning regular season games season received fines pay kicking face march game started spurs playoffs games team eventually succumbed feats earned second defensive second team nomination peers sports analysts accused dirty defender season started regular season games second time career averaged points rebounds assists minutes game voted member spurs team won age time won championship ring starter following seasons established reputation best perimeter defenders nba earning straight defensive team elections ending runner year award twice losing post defender having established premier defensive player effective hard style play came discussion particular rival guards accused landing space columnist commented frustrated upset hurt angered way plays tough physical defense play intent isn afraid defensive style failed help spurs squad repeat nba playoffs team eventually defeated western conference semi finals spurs bounced won nba title defeating spurs win titles seven game series dallas nba playoffs testament controversial style play picked nba fine kicking march game nba playoffs spurs played center controversy knee contacted guard groin knocking nash floor series forward center accused kicking game nba reviewed dismissed claim espn columnist commented cheap player going seriously hurt someday acknowledged ultimately makes team better spurs went beat defense contributed spurs winning fourth championship nba season year old veteran played started regular season games earning fifth straight nomination nba defensive team controversial fined suspended game kicking fallen floor march game finished runner league defensive player year award nba playoffs unable stop guard averaged points helped beat spurs games started spurs regular season playoff game nba season spurs played regular season games longer starter case previous seven san_antonio campaigns minutes greatly reduced game shooting numbers remained consistent spurs went nba playoffs record seed influential shooting guard injured spurs got bad start series eventually lost dallas playoffs round time june traded released july retired september march spurs retired jersey jersey seventh retired spurs blessing spurs number incoming free agent international career coach invited join united_states men national basketball team participated world championships japan oldest player participate said team needed defensive player like received little playing time despite injuries fellow guards wade participated training sessions training camps eventually cut team expressed disappointment said hoped olympics squad named team end player profile played small forward occasionally shooting guard position reputation best perimeter defenders nba earning consecutive nominations nba defensive second teams second voting year award beaten centers marcus post defenders known offensive production seldom sought offense having attempted field goals entire game regular season career averages points rebounds assists game foul shooting considered mediocre earning nominations second teams foul shooting fact poor times target hack defense opposing teams leave wide open offense accurate point shooter career average attempts particularly corner addition despite age played consecutive games february march leading sports_illustrated iron man nba responding fan mail stated defense little bit talent lot work able challenge going guys didn win battle able come day try think important thing stressed key good basketball player work hard sure fun game mentioned considered small forward shooting guard difficult players guard personal life son told reporter having problematic childhood plagued mother drug addiction father alcohol problems today estranged parents relatives instead looking childhood friend robert los_angeles couple regards adoptive parents married miami native cuban descent couple sons born september born june speaks child runs fit bruce buddy program children healthy nutrition daily sports activities fan dallas football team runs organization set provide scholarships received college degree communications taken classes san_antonio stated wants teacher nba career statistics regular season playoffs
Bruce Bowen