Some things never change. Almost a year after the Spurs did the Suns dirty in last season's playoffs, Bruce Bowen is at it again, this time delivering an unnecessary forearm to the chest of Amare Stoudemire as he attempts to fight through Amare's screen. I'm sure you've seen it by now, if not, Odenized has got you covered.
I realize at first glance it didn't appear like much, and there's no question that Stoudemire is a big strong dude who should be able to take a little shot from Bowen. That's not the point. The angle shown at about the 1:04 mark of the clip is the one where you can see Bowen lean into it and deliver a clearly intentional blow. And Stoudemire's reaction afterwards also lets us know that this was an unnecessary cheap shot.
Let's not forget that there's a history here, people. In Game 2 of the playoff series between thee two teams a year ago, Bowen kicked Amare in the back of the leg as he went up for a dunk attempt. This was a dirty play too, one that caused Amare to label the entire Spurs team "dirty" afterwards.
So maybe this particular forearm shot wasn't all that bad, especially in the grand scheme of Bowen's tainted career. But given Bowen's past and the story that unfolded during the 2007 playoffs, I think it's obvious that there's still some bad blood between these teams. (By the way, can we just start the playoffs already? I can't take another week of this.)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I could not really see that well. The picture was kind of small. No close up. Stoudemire is a really talented player who deserves to be treated with respect. However, in looking at the tape it looks like Bowen is putting his forearm up to protect himself from colliding into Stoudemire.
Posted at 2:06AM on Apr 10th 2008 by West Covina Attorney
2. West Covina Attorney? yea right, if this had been against a Laker, I'll bet you'd be screaming that Stu Jackson should call that a flagrant 2 and have Bowen suspended!
I'd have kind of liked to see Bowen try and take it to the hole on a later posession so he could get a little payback but that would reduce the integrity of the game. Besides, Bowen knows better. Why do you think he works on his 3s? lol
Posted at 2:53AM on Apr 10th 2008 by Gerber
3. I sure hope the Spurs get swept in the 1st round so I don't have to watch this team of whiners and dirty players play anymore than I have to.
Posted at 11:43AM on Apr 10th 2008 by bozmology
4. The Suns now want to play the Slurs in the Playoffs. Bruce Bowen better just shoot threes, Shaq is sharpening his elbows.
Posted at 12:23PM on Apr 10th 2008 by Jack B
5. come on. go through some tape and watch players coming into a pick (especially up against a bigger guy) putting up your forearm probably happens 70 percent of the time, and the guy setting the pick getting his arms up almost as often. it's a no call.
the league just gets softer and softer, talk about stuff like this being dirty just facilitates that.
Posted at 12:24PM on Apr 10th 2008 by radja9697
6. I watched the entire game and saw THE DIRTY JOB OF, BY NO LESS THAN THE DIRTIEST PLAYER ON EARTH, BRUCE "LEE" BOWEN, and if the referees did not and do not recognize or differentiate INTENTIONAL FROM ACCIDENTAL, I SUGGEST THAT THE NBA SHOULD ADOPT THE USTA's REPLAY, TO REVIEW OR REPLAY TAPES, before, JUDGING A CALL.
Posted at 1:34PM on Apr 10th 2008 by nick
7. Amare is such a woman. Even Candace Parker is 10 times tougher than that sissy.
Posted at 1:51PM on Apr 10th 2008 by pyrrah316
8. UGH!!!!!!!! ALL OF THE SPURS ARE A BUNCH OF CRY BABIES & DIRTY A@@ PLAYERS!!!!! I FREAKIN HATE THEM & HELLOOOOO....I'M FROM TEXAS....LOL!!!! BUT A LAKERS FAN BABY!!!!!!!!!
Posted at 2:09PM on Apr 10th 2008 by ~liz~
9. with any luck at all...one dirty player Raja Bell, will clothesline the other dirty player Bruce Bowen and they'll both be out of the playoffs....
Posted at 3:01PM on Apr 10th 2008 by g
10. Sun and their fans are such babies! Amare and the Tramp Stamps just never knew how to play physical ball. Why do you all make such a big deal about this! I mean you have Shaq now which will make your team a physical team. Bruce always knew how to play defense. Thats why playes get pissed off. Thats why Bruce has 3 rings and the trampstamps have none! Expect alot of physical play in the playoffs. And by the way, Timmy and Manu will never exit the first round.
Posted at 6:53PM on Apr 10th 2008 by DEREK
11. It amazes me that the league and Spurs fans continue to think that Bowen is just a good defender. Jesus, how many times does he have to do this kind of s**t for you guys to see that he is a dirty player, plain and simple?! I saw that game live and he wasn't blocking Amare's screen. You can clearly see he lifts his forearm and elbows Amare. I'm not saying Amare can't take it but why should he freakin have too! Being a fan of your team doesn't mean you have to think all of the player's are perfect. When Raja Bell clotheslined Kobe in the playoffs it was dead wrong and uncalled for. When your career is based on the health and good condition of your body, no player ever has the right to possibly jeopardize that. There is a huge difference between playing good defense and being dirty and Bowen crossed that line a long time ago. It is reckless of the league to allow him to continue his behavior. If you like Bowen, that's your choice, but at least take of the rose colored glasses.
Posted at 9:59PM on Apr 10th 2008 by anny
12. Suns payback Spurs,after they got robbed last year.
Posted at 1:59AM on Apr 11th 2008 by jma
13. Does anyone not let what their eyes see(As well as stats)overshadow public opinion!!! Hes Not MJ , or Cooper or Russel , he plays the enforcer role on the current San Antonio Spurs , and yes it was an intentional cheap shot!!!
Posted at 10:46AM on Apr 11th 2008 by Tony Banks
14. I have seen dirty ...but this just isn't it. Either Amare is really soft or overacting here. Radja is right... this happens every night and players play through with no incidence.
Posted at 11:36AM on Apr 11th 2008 by yunga
15. If the playoffs started today or status quo..The Suns and the Dirty Spurs play first round. 3-1 Suns reg season. I think paybacks a Bi!ch to the SanTon STERNS would apply if the refs. call a FAIR game. Bowen better keep his elbows feet and knees to himself the PIG. I didn't hear anyone mention Bowen stepping on Nash's heels all night.
For those who are saying the Suns are whinning about Amare, they're not. Let's hope 1st ROUND and a fair game the Sterns are sent on vacation.
Posted at 12:47PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Kelsey
16. If you think that baskeball is a non contact sport then you are mistaken. If the refs called every foul, no one would be left on the floor to finish the game. Unless the foul is really bad under the basket they usually let them play. As for Shaq, everytime someone comes at him he could be called for a foul and please don't think that I don't like Shaq because I do like to watch him play. Off the court, Shaq is the greatest. On the court, he is not the most coordinated.
Posted at 3:09PM on Apr 11th 2008 by mvdgld
17. I agree mvdgld but in this case dirty Bowen seems to get his kicks and hits off of the Suns. (I've seen him dirty with other teams too.)Pops pulled his whole starts because he's chicken the Suns might return the Sterns tactics. The Sterns are such sore losers they get dirty when they know they're getting blown away. Ginflopply didn't get his flop calls. Boo to the hoo! The Suns play the game. The Sterns just don't know how to be sportsmen.
Posted at 4:15PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Kelsey
18. for all you guys that don't really know basketball and are just listenong to all the hoopla. wake up or shut up. I watched the game there was nothing wrong whit that play. If you knew that you would get punched in the face wouldn't you brace for impact.
Posted at 7:45PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Kevin
19. I'm a Suns fan, but when the hell are they going to defend themselves? Someone needs to knock out one of the Spurs or they'll keep doing this stuff. The Suns are too soft and it'll cost them (again).
Posted at 2:13AM on Apr 12th 2008 by Gern Wormstead
20. Gern Pops removed his starts because he was chicken the Suns would go Sterns on them again. Bowen picked Suns #1 because I'm sure Pops was testing to see how Amare would react. They will see each other next week if status quo continues. Shaq won't let the Sterns get away with this crap in the playoffs. He'll make something look like an accident on one of their top players like Bowen always PRETENDS he does. I also hope they will continue to ignore Ginflopply's flops. Payback time! Go SUNS!!
Posted at 12:48PM on Apr 12th 2008 by Kelsey