Bruce Bowen Reader Q & A!

Last weekend, former San Antonio Spurs Bruce Bowen was on NBA ambassador duties in Europe. On our Facebook and Twitter we asked you to send through your questions for him – check out our reader Q & A below!

If you could change the NBA in any way, how would you change it?
-Larry Mills
Bruce Bowen (BB):I would change the age. It should be required that the players go to college at least 2 years before entering NBA. That would help them to avoid some mistakes, learn responsibility. It is hard to arrive suddenly in the adult world when you still have a child mentality.

Who was the toughest player you ever had to guard?
-Greg Pike
BB: Michael Jordan.

What’s been your inspiration and drive throughout your time playing basketball (high school to the NBA)?
-Elmi Awil
BB: To always understand that there is an opportunity to get better. But also to always think that if I am not working in improving someone else is.

Besides effort, what are the keys to containing great player/ your drills to get better defensively?
-Amir Boucenna
BB: To always pay attention to details by studying film, listening the coach game plan…

Who’s the best on ball perimeter defender in the league today?
-Michael Nketsiah
BB: I don’t know the best but I like Iman Shumpert.

Which team and player did you enjoy playing/guarding the most?
-George Crudgington
BB: The Lakers and Kobe Bryant.

What stands out to you most in your career? Anything you wish you could relive/ change?
– Jonny Low
BB: I have no regrets to my career. From all the mistakes a made in my early career they helped me to get better and improve in my late career. I would not change anything.

What was the most important thing you learnt as a junior basketball player?
-Ken Masser
BB: I understand that as a basketball player in college. I would say fundamentals because without it I would not be able to adapt to NBA.

How has European basketball grown/changed since you played in France during 90’s?
-Ash Read (@ashread14)
The exposure with the NBA enabled European basketball to improve. Today, European athletes have a greater impact on the actual game (For example the brothers Gasol, Parker, Manu Ginobili…)

In game or practice situation how did you get past people thinking you were a dirty player?
-Alex Finn (@finnie_boy)
It’s just their opinion. It did not affect my team, my coach and me.

What are you planning on doing now that your playing days are over?
-Christian Dapp
I work for ESPN as a NBA commentator and I am an ambassador of NBA.

In your opinion, who is the greatest NBA player of all time? Excluding MJ.
-James Howard
Bill Russell.

Who/What made you decide you were going to focus your game around defense.
-Ryan Palmer
I didn’t come in thinking defense but defense was a way to me to get in the court. So as I learnt that I used the best of my ability.

Image Credits: NBAE/Getty Images.