Bruce Bowen Talks James Harden’s Defense, Tim Duncan’s Humor, And Asking Gregg Popovich For More Plays

Feb 14, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Former San Antonio Spurs guard Bruce Bowen is introduced before the NBA All Star Wheelchair Classic at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

In a recent interview with Dan McCarney from the San Antonio Express-News, former San Antonio Spur Bruce Bowen had a lot to say. From how he rates the 2014 Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, to why he and Kobe Bryant got along throughout the years, Bowen laid it all on the table in, making for a thoroughly entertaining read.

While you should head on over to My San Antonio to read the entire interview, we’ve broken down the best bits here on Friendly Bounce to give you the spark notes version.

On James Harden and his woeful defense

Being the lockdown defender that he was in his day, you’d expect Bowen to gag at the sight of someone like James Harden playing defense. After all, since he was traded to the Houston Rockets two years ago, Harden’s defense (or lack thereof) has been a running joke in the NBA, and Bowen was regarded around the league as one of the best perimeter defenders during his time.

But Bowen doesn’t really blame Harden for not being a better defender. Instead, he points the finger at the Rockets’ coaching staff for not instilling a better system. Reason being: Harden hasn’t always been a minus-defender.

"Speaking of defense, do you just cringe when you watch James Harden?See, I don’t cringe, because I remember him in OKC. In fairness to James, yes, (his defense) has been terrible, but what are the principles in Houston? I’m very disappointed in their team concept. That’s what I don’t see. So, if there are no rules and regulations, how do you hold anyone accountable? Speaking to James about this, he’ll say it – “I know I have to do a better job.” But without any direction, without a coach saying, hey, we’re going to send this player baseline because that will be our best bet, it’s really tough. Defense is something you have to practice very day, especially rotations. We went over our rotations every day in all my eight years in San Antonio. You would think me, Tim, Tony and Manu all knew what we were supposed to do. But others don’t. They have to become as familiar as we were. That’s why I go back to principles. Go back to OKC and they’re playing the Lakers, he guarded Kobe pretty well. That’s why I say, what’s going on (in Houston) is about something else."

On being teammates with Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is a once-in-a-lifetime type of guy. Despite being in the league for so long and putting together one of the most successful careers in NBA history, very few know the true Duncan. But people like Bowen, who was teammates with the future Hall of Famer for eight seasons, have plenty of good stories to share, like how Duncan tried to crack a joke about a carrot during a game one time.

"Do you have any go-to Tim or Pop stories? Tim thinks he’s a comedian. One time I was preoccupied, and he comes up to me and says, “Did you know a carrot only crunches so many times before you have to swallow?” I just looked at him like, “Right now? In the middle of the game?” I knew he was trying to get my mind off a bad call or something, and it worked. But that was the best he could do? He’s really not as funny as he thinks he is. (Laughed)"

On having Gregg Popovich as your coach

Similar to Duncan, Gregg Popovich is sort of an unknown character in the non-coaching-on-the-sideline type of way. Bowen also talked about playing for Gregg Popovich, and how, despite both being big time competitors, they never butted heads.

"As competitive as you both are, how often did you and Pop go at it? No. 1, that’s not the way you deal with him. No. 2, he’s your coach. There’s a time and a place for everything. As athletes, we feel like we can say whatever we want. With Pop, I had the opportunity to go into his office. It didn’t mean he saw what I was saying, and vice versa. There were many times I left his office thinking he’s nuttier than a fruit cake. But what are you going to do, quit? No, you keep working and things will get better. I just always understood that was a losing battle. We would have discussions behind closed doors, and it was never a case where it blew up. It was more like, “Instead of running 17 plays for me in a year, can we get it up to 19?” And he’d say no."

As fun as the parts about Harden and Duncan are, the best part of the interview might be Bowen’s flat no-sell of the idea of “going at it” with Pop. Not going to do it; wouldn’t be prudent. And while most of this reinforces what we think we already know about the Spurs, somehow the team manages to get more and more interesting.