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<!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.nba.com/playoffs2003/mailbox_bowen.html">www.nba.com/playoffs2003/...bowen.html</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br>
<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:small;">You watch the games, you see the scores, but how do you really know what's going on in the NBA Playoffs 2003? NBA.com has infiltrated the action with the ultimate insiders -- the players themselves. We're giving you an exclusive look at the postseason with a roster of player mailboxes.<br>
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Bruce Bowen is one of the premier defenders in the NBA. Send Bruce an e-mail question and we'll get more of his answers to post during the postseason. <br>
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Bowen answered your second round of questions on Monday, May 5</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->:<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Q:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Hey, Bruce! When it comes to outstanding backcourt defense and sheer determination, your on the top of the list. You have managed to even boost your 3-point percentage this season. Kinda reminds me of the late Malik Sealy's perseverance. Which of your coaches brought out the best of your abilities?<br>
-- Christopher, (Manila, Phillipines)<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Bowen:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Coach Pop, Pat Riley, and Larry Brown.<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Q:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> I've read that you're taking a class at UTSA in San Antonio. How are you able to stay so focused on the court as well as your studies?<br>
-- Angel (San Antonio)<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Bowen:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Basketball consumes a lot of my time, but it’s also good to have a release, which has been school. It’s another learning situation. It’s not like I’m leaving the court and just partying. I’m leaving the court and doing something constructive to help my mind.<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Q:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Hello Mr. Bowen! I just want to ask you why your 3-pointers are the best in the league. Is there any special technique you use?<br>
-- Ken (Vancouver, British Columbia)<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Bowen:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Just practice, practice, practice. I think that is the only way that you get better at anything in life is to continue to practice.<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Q:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Bruce! I always hear about you as a defensive player. What about your offense? I think that in a way you are very good offensive player but people see you like Ben Wallace as only great defensive player! Don't you think that this is a stereotype about your game?<br>
-- Spikel (Kielce, Poland)<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Bowen:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> It’s unfortunate that the NBA only focuses on the things that you do special. I’m a basketball player, but I just happen to guard a lot of the top offensive players pretty well. You can’t worry about proving them wrong, you allow your play to prove them wrong. That’s all I can worry about. I used to worry about, 'Oh, I got to show them that I’m this or I have to show them that I’m that.’ It’s no longer that way. I just go out and play and people are going to say what they are going to say regardless.<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Q:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Hey, as an excellent defensive player, what aspect of the game do you think is most important for good 'D'? Is it speed, strength, court vision, energy or rebounding?<br>
-- Sugiang (Brooklyn, N.Y.)<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Bowen:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> I think all of those things tie into it, but also desire. That’s the main focus, desire. If you have the desire to go out and guard somebody, 9 times out of 10 you may be successful. But even if you don’t guard them well at least you gave them 110% and you can always look back and say, 'Hey, I did the best I could.'<br>
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<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub179.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=blondie@sanantoniospurs62937>Blondie</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://homepage.eircom.net/~bray/em/orose.gif " BORDER=0> at: 5/5/03 10:42:40 pm<br></i>
