Friday, January 27, 2012

Spurs to retire Bruce Bowen jersey


The San Antonio Spurs will retire Bruce Bowen jersey on March 21, against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bowen’s No. 12 jersey will join, James Silas’ No 13, geroge Gervin’s No. 44, Johnny Moore’s No. 00 , David Robinson’s N. 50. Sean Elliott’s No. 32 and Avery Johnson’s No 6 in the rafters in the AT & T Center.

Bowen Joined the Spurs in 2001 and played nine seasons in San Antonio.  Bowen started in every game he played in for the Spurs and averaged 6.4 points, and 1.3 assists per game.

The 6-7 guard out of Cal State Fullerton earned a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Team in eight of his nine seasons with the Spurs (was a second team selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 before earning first team honors in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).

 Bowen is one of five swingmen in NBA history to earn All-Defensive Team honors in eight-or-more straight seasons Bowen was a part of three NBA Championship teams with the Spurs. He appeared in 122 playoff games, averaging 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

A leader on and off the court, Bowen earned the NBA’s Community Assist Award twice (March 2005 and January 2006) for his efforts in the San Antonio community. In 2004 Bowen launched GET FIT with Bruce and Buddy, a comprehensive program aimed towards fighting childhood obesity in San Antonio. Nearly 15,000 boys and girls participated in the program.

The Spurs will give fans the opportunity to honor Bowen prior to his jersey being raised at a luncheon which will take place Monday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the AT&T Center. Former teammates and the entire 2011-12 Spurs team will be on hand to recognize Bowen.

Those in attendance will be able to enjoy a silent auction, a chance to win a trip with the team to a road playoff game and preview the banner that will be raised to the rafters on March 21. 

All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit SBGB. To purchase tickets or for more information on the luncheon please call (210) 444‐5609 or email sbgb@attcenter.com.

Cory Joseph settles in for the Spurs


The San Antonio Spurs does not have the luxury of teaching rookie Cory Joseph the Spurs way, because of the reduced practice times due to the lockout and the condensed schedule of the National Basketball Association. 

Joseph spent two weeks with the Toros working on his toughness and getting valuable minutes that he did not have the opportunity to get with the Spurs.  Due to injuries to TJ Ford and Manu Ginobili, was recalled by the Spurs from the Austin Toros off the developmental league of the NBA.
This time last year Joseph was a freshman with the University of Texas learning about life in the Big 12.  What a difference a year makes.  Joseph is still the energetic player that plays hard on every play and does it with a smile. 

Cory is still one of the fastest players on the court even on the pro level, but the competition can catch up very quickly and has the ability to use angles and great leaping ability to counter Joseph’s speed.
The Toros run the same offense as the Spurs and are fully owned by the Spurs.  Second year coach Brad Jones thought that the progression from the first game to the second game by Joseph was a 100 percent improvement.  The contributing reasons for Joseph coming to the D-League were to work on his leadership and toughness.

Jones said, “I thought he (Cory) was more consistent.  I thought he ran the team well.  I liked his leadership, his toughness and his confidence.  His progression from last night to tonight was great and hopefully that is what we will continue to see from him.”

Joseph said, “A lot of people look down to the D-league, but here the Spurs look at it as a good thing.”  In the few games that Joseph played with the Toros the improvements were very noticeable.  Joseph continued, “The experience with the Toros helped me a lot with my confidence and confidence will take you a long way in this game.”

According to Joseph he enjoyed his time in Austin with the Toros and it helped to slow the game down for him.  Since Joseph time back with the Spurs he has been averaging just over ten minutes per game and is used to give starter Tony Parker rest.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Arian Foster more than a running back



Arian Foster was not a prolific running back in college.  He was not even highly sought after leaving college at the University of Tennessee.   Prior to becoming a professional player Foster only had two 1,000 yards seasons, one in high school and one in college.

Not being a highly recruited or drafted player in the National Football League could explain why football is not the end all to Foster.  Foster is a very intelligent and ground person.  Foster has the ability to hold an intellectual conversation with a Rhodes Scholar, but still able to relate and connect with the common man.
Foster is a regular on twitter and will answer many of the tweets that are sent to him.  Foster will responded to positive tweets with a re-tweet and would ask a question of a negative tweet directed at him.  Foster tries to engage in conversation with his followers and haters.

Foster is not afraid to speak his mind.  A lot of fantasy football owners will regular communicate with professional athletes and request them to get them more points.  Earlier in the season Foster’s response got national attention.  The reason was Foster felt that most fantasy owners care more about the stats that the player produces instead of the health of the player.

In the pre-season Foster got hurt and people was asking when he was going to be back so you can get me some points.  Foster took exception to this and responded in anger.  Foster is a fan of fantasy football but feel a players’ health is more important than points that the player can get for you.

On many occasions, Foster was documented in assisting random people while he was getting gas or just shopping.   On another occasion, Foster gave a man the sweatshirt off of his back and signed it for him and the man’s daughter tweeted that to Arian’s followers, showing her appreciation of the gift.  These are just a few examples of kindness that Foster displays on a regular basis.

Foster was an undrafted free agent signee in 2009, by the Texans, was cut from the original roster in that year, but was signed to the practice squad.  Foster played in six games in that year.  In 2010, Foster had a season to remember.  He ran for 1,616 yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Foster ran for 1,224 yards this year despite missing three games due to injury.  Foster was selected to the Pro Bowl again this year.  Foster does not have any problem missing the Pro Bowl this year, if he would be playing the next week in the Super Bowl. 

Foster is not only a leader on the field, but he is a leader in the locker room.  When he was out with the injury he was giving support to his fellow running backs and to the defense in an effort to keep them motivated. 

Arian Foster and rest of the Texans have been making people believers in what he and they can do as a team.  Foster is very appreciative of what the city of Houston and the rest of the Texans fans that has supported them over the years.  Foster shows that appreciation every time that he hit the field by always giving 100 percent.  

Monday, January 2, 2012

Austin Toros Justin Dentmon loves the game



When Justin Dentmon was in high school he was a hometown hero.  When his team played the city of Carbondale, IL sized doubled because everyone wanted to see Dentmon play.  Dentmon would be a four year letterman for the Carbondale High School Terriers.

While at Carbondale High, Dentmon was first team All-State and averaged 21.7 points per game.  Dentmon would carry his team to a third place in the state tournament and would be the leading scorer in the tournament with 78 points in three games.  Dentmon would play one year at a prep school before heading to college.

People always ask him, how he ended up in college in the state of Washington, when he was from Illinois.  When Dentmon was in high school he was heavily recruited by Lorenzo Romar when he was at the University of St. Louis.  Dentmon did not want to play at home so he chose to go to the University of Washington Huskies and the new coaching home of Romar.

As a freshman with the Huskies he would set many freshmen records and would lead his to team to sweet sixteen that lost to the Connecticut Huskies 98-92 in overtime.  Dentmon teammate at Washington was Brandon Roy.

Dentmon would spend his first professional season playing basketball in the Israel.  Dentmon played for Hapoel Afula and was the leading scorer in the league for the season. Dentmon spent 2010 2011 season with the Texas Legends. Dentmon was acquired by the Toros in a 2011 draft day trade.  He average 19.1 points per game with the Texas Legends in 2010-2011 season. 

Justin is a student of the game and loves the game.  Dentmon is in the process of development a non-profit organization to teach basketball ball and life skills to both boys and girls.  Dentmon believes that anyone who has a dream to play basketball should have every available chance to pursue their dream.  Whether they are in pre-school or just of college and would like to continue playing on a higher level.

Playing in the National Basketball Association is still a dream of Dentmon.  He has played in the summer league for the Memphis Grizzlies.  He has been worked out for the New Jersey Net and the San Antonio Spurs.  This season he had a pre-season invitation with the New Orleans Hornets.  Playing in the NBA is all about the right fit at the right time for the right team.

Dentmon always gives a 100 percent when he is on the court and he is always mentioned by reporters and scouts when teams are looking for a point guard.   Justin is a very ground person and he is a very exciting player to watch on any team that he has played for, because he love to play and love the game.
Dentmon is the Toros’ leading scored with 21.7 points per game and also lead the team in free throws by making 50 of 58 attempts on the year.