Bowen was a dirty player. That does not equate do defense. The guy took cheap shots at stars to slow them down, Shane plays defense. 2 totally different players, I will take Shane any day
I say Bowen because he doesn't conceed anything. When shane plays against a guy like kobe, he gives him plenty of room and wants him to shoot contested jumpers. That's why kobe would mirror his production from the regular season. That's also why kobe would back battier down a lot. Bowen conceeds nothings. He doesn't want him to drive and he contest jumpers. Bowen would never play a game vs kobe and have 1 foul. As its been pointed out before, kobe has shot better and scored more vs the rockets since shane vs before shane.
Battier, Bowen has had the luxury of playing with Duncan his entire career while Battier has had Yao. Yao's not a bad defender, he just was not in the same level as a Prime Tim Duncan was defensievly.
where's maxwell and joe dumars on this list? what you forgot to ask is how good Shane was against Kobe when Shane wasn't a Rocket. That should also be a factor.
There is a curse. Grant Hill, Jay Williams, Elton Brand, Carlos Boozer all had (some still have) a chance to be great Dukies- but the curse of the Dukie bit them and hard. Battier is probably the only reliable Dukie to ever come into the league.
exactly, they're both overrated but to be fair to shane he is known for his team defense. he did make a great effort to to stay in front of kobe during the playoffs, but he didn't stop him. neither really have the physical tools to be stoppers. tayshun with those long arms held kobe to 22 and 38%, he wasn't have a great playoffs individually but prince put the nail in the coffin
Bowen was more gifted laterally and strength wise but he always played the same type of defense. Battier changes it up based on the opponent. Certain offenders (T-Mac, Bonzi) were never hindered by Bowen's defense and Bowen failed to present a different look. Whereas Battier, like life, will always find a way. Bowen was better though.
2005 NBA Finals Bowen on Billups - game seven - crunch time. Big block to close the game. 2007 NBA Finals. Watch Bowen SHUT DOWN Lebron completely. From a PG, to a SF...even Dirk. Bowen defended anybody. I like Shane, and it's a close call, but Bruce was better.
Battier does it better, and without bending and/or completely breaking the rules. Bowen gave it everything god bless him, but he was prone to dirty tactics....
It's close. Very close. You could substitute Battier in on those Spurs championship teams and they're still just as good....maybe even just a tad better due to Battier being a better overall player. As for the question itself of "who is a better defender?" -- Bowen was probably just a little better.
I don't like the fact that many of you throw Bowen out the window because he was a "dirty player". There are plenty of dirty players in the league, to the point where it shouldn't even come close to deciding which player is the better defender. My opinion: WAS: Bruce Bowen. IS: Shane Battier.
I agree. In terms of defense, being a dirty player is not a bad thing. Charles Oakley for instance, beast...
HAHAH WHAT A RIDICULOUS QUESTION DO I NEED TO POST THE VIDEO OF BOWEN DROP KICKING WALLY IN THE FACE AND LOW BLOWING CP3??
As long as his "dirtyness" is within the laws of the game, so be it. Bruce Bowen have shut down players from PGs(Deron Williams, Steve Nash etc )and to softer/smaller PFs (Dirk/West). Something that Battier can not do. But I do agree with Was: Bowen Is : Battier
