http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA081406.9D.BKO.bowen.17fcb63.html If Bowen is cut, then Battier has a spot on the team, because Arenas had to pull out due to injury.
The fact that Battier started the game against Lithuiana, I doubt he would've been cut even if Arenas went down. It's nice to see Battier getting so much PT with the best players in the country.
Bowen's offense was a much more negative influence on the Spurs this playoffs as his defense was a positive. In fact only NVE had a worse rating among Spurs. Individual shut down defense is even less important to international ball than the NBA. This cut should be no surprise, he never should have been invited. Swingmen who are solid defenders (even if not Bowen) but with much more rounded offensive games are much more usefull for the international game (e.g., Rip Hamilton, Prince, Joe Johnson, Jefferson, Battier).
This is very true. I also think that Bowen's defense style would get him fouled out much faster under international basketball ruling than in NBA.
yeah, the thread title is a bit misleading as well. one could think that bowen is ryan bowen and us club means rockets.
this thread would have a lot more responses from the celebration going on if people thought that's what it meant.
I've watched some of the games and Shane is in the starting 5. It's really encouraging to see the performance of the squad with him in the lineup and without. Generally it's been with him in the lineup we score and the opponent has difficulty - when he's not in - both score easily. His presence is definately beneficial to the other stars.
"Though Bowen was named to the team to give the United States a strong perimeter defender, Houston's Shane Battier also could fill that role". So does that mean that Shane can play the SG if they consider him a tough perimeter defender. If he could play SG then our lineup could be: Alston Battier T-mac Howard Yao We have more rebounders in Howard and Battier and we have our SG need fill. Our depth chart looks good too. Alston/JLIII/VSpan Battier/Snyder/Head/Azubuike T-mac/Snyder/Battier/Bowen Howard/Battier/Novak Yao/Mutombo
I haven't really seen Battier play all that well. The only game I really got a look at him was against Brazil and he made some mistakes, fouling with under 5 seconds left in the half, making some errant passes etc.
I actually almost fell for that. I saw "bowen likely cut" and got excited there for a second. Then I saw US club. Oh well. No biggie. Go Shane!
Apparently international bball genius Sheridan thinks Battier will still be the one cut. I don't get his argument though, Battier can defend all the guys he mentions just as well if not better given his slight height advatage over Bowen. I really can't stand Sheridan.
