Spurs’ Bowen nags Hinrich into state of frustration

By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Saturday, November 18, 2006


SAN ANTONIO — Last season when the Bulls won in San Antonio, Spurs defensive specialist Bruce Bowen, 35, looked old and slow against the Bulls’ small guards.

On Friday, Bowen defended Kirk Hinrich and seemed to be on a mission to pester the Bulls’ guard into a quiet night.

“That’s what he does,” Hinrich said. “He tries to frustrate you and gets away with a lot of stuff, just with his reputation. He’s a good defender, don’t get me wrong. He’s got real active hands and he’s always bumping you or hitting you, egging you on. Then as soon as you touch him, offensive foul.”

Hinrich finished with 12 points, 6 assists and 5 turnovers. During the first half, when the Spurs pulled out to a lead, Hinrich scored just 5 points. He began the night tied with Luol Deng for the team scoring lead at 17.6 points.

“He’s a great defender,” Hinrich said of Bowen. “He’s been doing it for a while and I kind of got a little bit frustrated. If that’s what he was trying to do, he succeeded.”

Wallace heals quickly: Before Friday’s game, Ben Wallace said his right upper arm felt “like a fat lip at the dentist’s office” — more numb than painful.

Wallace suffered a biceps strain early in Thursday’s game at Houston, but it didn’t slow him down Friday. The Bulls center produced 10 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 steals in the loss to San Antonio.

“We were fairly shocked this morning that he wasn’t symptomatic really at all,” Bulls coach Scott Skiles said. “He said he felt good. So he must be an incredibly quick healer I guess. We thought it was going to be very sore this morning.”

Checking Deng’s defense: The Scott Skiles pregame challenge on Friday went out to Luol Deng, who didn’t have much success defending Houston’s Tracy McGrady or Dallas’ Jerry Stackhouse the previous two games.

“He’s giving up way too much penetration and doesn’t seem like Lu on the defensive end,” Skiles said. “He’s got to go back to where he was in containing people and using his length and being smart.”

Bull horns: Rookie Tyrus Thomas was the lone Bulls player who did not see action against the Spurs. … The Bulls are now 7-40 against the three Texas teams since 1998.

Hinrich

someone bring back the bowen wallpaper with the checklist on it. it needs to be updated.

someone bring back the bowen wallpaper with the checklist on it. it needs to be updated.

Yeah we can let Finley off the hook.

Man I won't like to play against Bowen ever! Too bad he only has a year or two left to play.

As long as Bruce keeps salsa dancing on the court he'll be fine. Guys like Hinrich should take a few lessons to understand where his foot work comes from. Bruce should go on Dancing With The Stars when he retires.

Bruce should go on Dancing With The Stars when he retires.

hey if Emmett can do it why not?