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San Antonio Spurs: 25 Best Players To Play For The Spurs

By Phil Watson

Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 28: Basketball: San Antonio Spurs Bruce Bowen (12) in action, taking shot vs Toronto Raptors Kris Humphries (43) and Jamario Moon (33), San Antonio, TX 12/28/2007 (Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X79338 TK1 R1 F559)
UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 28: Basketball: San Antonio Spurs Bruce Bowen (12) in action, taking shot vs Toronto Raptors Kris Humphries (43) and Jamario Moon (33), San Antonio, TX 12/28/2007 (Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X79338 TK1 R1 F559) /

29. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, July 31, 2001.. SF. 2001-09. Bruce Bowen. 14. player

It took almost four years for Bruce Bowen to get to the NBA and another three for him to find a spot in a regular rotation. But when the San Antonio Spurs signed the free agent in July 2001, it was a perfect combination.

Bowen was a seven-time All-Defensive selection with the Spurs, leading the NBA in 3-point shooting in 2002-03.

SAS_14_BOWEN
SAS_14_BOWEN /

He was also part of three title teams in San Antonio.

Bowen averaged 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game in the 2003 NBA Finals, shooting .233/4-for-14/2-for-2 in a six-game victory over the New Jersey Nets.

In the 2005 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons, he averaged 7.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and two assists in 38.7 minutes per game, shooting .380/.448/4-for-6 in a seven-game triumph for the Spurs.

Bowen averaged six points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 41.7 minutes per game, shooting .296/7-for-18/1-for-4 in a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals.

In June 2009, he was traded with Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Richard Jefferson.

Waived by the Bucks in August 2009, Bowen retired.

In eight seasons in San Antonio, Bowen averaged 6.4 points, three rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.7 minutes per game, shooting .421/.405/.561.

Undrafted in 1993 after averaging 16.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a senior at Cal State Fullerton in 1993, Bowen played two seasons in France and one in the Continental Basketball Association to begin his career.

He got his first NBA shot with the Miami Heat in October 1995, but was waived eight days later. In March 1997, after more time in the CBA, he returned to the Heat on a 10-day contract before signing for the remainder of the season.

He signed with the Boston Celtics in July 1997 and as a free agent in September 1999 joined the Philadelphia 76ers.

Bowen was traded to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team deal in February 2000 and was waived two days later, returning to Miami within a week.

He was an All-Defensive selection for the first time with the Heat in 2000-01.

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