10 best undrafted NBA players of all time
By Jakob Ashlin
Best undrafted NBA players of all-time: 6. Bruce Bowen
3x NBA Champion (2003, 2005, 2007), 5x All-Defensive first team (2004-2008), 3x All-Defensive second team (2001-2003)
Bowen was an elite perimeter defender. Throughout his tenure with the Spurs, the eight-time All-Defensive wing was matched up against all-time great scorers in the postseason (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony). He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year runner-up (2005, 2006).
Bowen was never a big offensive producer. He averaged 6.1 points and 1.2 assists over his 13-year career. Nevertheless, his defensive presence was vital to the Spurs’ success. The team had three great scoring options (Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili), and Bowen alleviated some of the defensive pressure on the star trio by taking on the toughest defensive assignments. He was an integral piece of three championship teams.
Following his retirement, the Spurs retired his No. 12 jersey. Head coach Gregg Popovich said the following about his career:
"“Bruce Bowen was the premier perimeter defender in the NBA for close to a decade. His success is proof that hard work and determination do, in fact, pay off. Statistics are meaningless when talking about his importance to this franchise. The simple fact is the Spurs don’t win NBA Championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007 without Bruce Bowen.”"