Spurs sign G-F Bowen to contract extension

Oct 7, 2007 - 4:28 PM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs signed Bruce Bowen to a contract extension Sunday, securing the services of one of the NBA's best defensive players.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bowen, 36, has spent his last six seasons with the Spurs and has been an integral member of San Antonio's championship teams in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

The 6-7 swingman was named to the All-Defensive First Team for the fourth consecutive time this past season and was the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year award, finishing second in the voting to Marcus Camby of the Denver Nuggets.

Bowen played in all 82 games with the Spurs last season, averaging 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds. He will enter the upcoming 2007-08 season with a streak of 436 consecutive games played - the longest active streak in the NBA and a Spurs franchise record.

A lockdown defender, Bowen generally has been assigned with the task of guarding the opposing team's top perimeter player. During San Antonio's postseason exploits over the past five years, Bowen has been engaged in matchups with superstars such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Carmelo Anthony.

Bowen also has provided the Spurs with a perimeter complement to the All-Star trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. In 100 postseason games with San Antonio, Bowen has connected on 43.9 percent (134-of-305) of his shots from the arc.

Bowen owns career averages of 6.5 points and 2.9 rebounds in parts of 11 seasons with the Spurs, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics.