Today Bruce Bowen turns 52. Hard to believe it has been so long since he roamed the corners of the hardwood, beating down opponents and knocking down threes.
The three-time NBA Champion and defensive stalwart spent his final eight seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. He worked his into the NBA after stints overseas and a couple of season in the now defunct Continental Basketball Association.
In his first two seasons with the Spurs Bowen made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. The next five seasons he made the NBA All-Defensive First Team, defining the role of the modern 3-and-D player.