Bowen Cut From US Roster

Bowen is final cut as U.S. team sets roster

SEOUL, Korea (AP) - Bruce Bowen was the final player cut from the U.S. basketball team, which begins play in the World Championships in Japan on Saturday.

The final 12-man roster was announced Wednesday by USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski, and included Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.

When Bowen, who plays for San Antonio and is one of the top defensive players in the league, was selected to be part of the national team roster, Colangelo and Krzyzewski singled him out as the type of role player the U.S. squad had been lacking in recent poor international showings.

But Bowen scored just four points while playing four of the five tuneup games and had been outplayed by Battier, another defensive-minded small forward who made the cut.

After Gilbert Arenas dropped out with strained groin earlier in the week, that all but assured a spot for Chicago's Hinrich because the team needed another point guard behind rookie of the year Paul.

Bowen and Arenas remain part of the national team program and are still in the pool of players who will compete for spot on the 2008 Olympic team.

"This has been a great process. It's difficult especially when you get down to the end because you get so attached to the last members of the team. Gilbert and Bruce are every bit a part of this team as the 12 others guys. It's just we can only go forward with 12," Krzyzewski said.

The average age of the 12 U.S. players is 24 1/2 years old, with the 30-year-old Miller the oldest member of the team. Howard, at 20, is the youngest.

Sucks that they cut one of their best defenders, but I really didn't see him making such a big impact in the games.

Bruce is getting old just like the rest of San Antonio.

And then there's the fact that some of us believe Bowen's defense is totally overrated, that he just overplays his man and most guards aren't willing to drive into the lane to challenge Tim Duncan. He doesn't get any steals, any blocks...he's mainly a hustler.

Bruce is getting old just like the rest of San Antonio.

And then there's the fact that some of us believe Bowen's defense is totally overrated, that he just overplays his man and most guards aren't willing to drive into the lane to challenge Tim Duncan. He doesn't get any steals, any blocks...he's mainly a hustler.

not true.. san antonio isnt getting old.. manu can play for 20years :p
bowen is a great defender.. hes a better defender than battier.. he can read plays.. just that he isnt much of use on the offensive end which is why they cut him.

This should be the roster

C Howard/Miller
PF Bosh/Brand/Jamison
SF Anthony/James/Battier
SG Wade/Johnson
PG Paul/Hinrich

That was stupid, they should have cut Battier instead.

Yup,Battier is a coach's pet

Well that was obvious, Battier wouldn't leave cuz of K being the coach, if it was anyone else Bowen would've stayed because he'd bring more leadership and defense to the team.

no way battiers doin good as, it sucks for him though

This should be the roster

C Howard/Miller
PF Bosh/Brand/Jamison
SF Anthony/James/Battier
SG Wade/Johnson
PG Paul/Hinrich

Eek, LeBron off the bench?

Is it just me, or as Bosh looked unimpressive from what we've seen so far? The air-ball 3's just aren't doing it for me. Why not put James at PF? It's a quicker game at the international level anyway. And it's not like we don't have size...Anthony and James are a good 6'8, Howard 6'11.

If I had the choice of cutting Bowen or Battier, I'd definitely choose Bowen. Not sure about those who are defending him... though it is unfortunate that he got cut.

This should be the roster

C Howard/Miller
PF Bosh/Brand/Jamison
SF Anthony/James/Battier
SG Wade/Johnson
PG Paul/Hinrich

Eek, LeBron off the bench?

Is it just me, or as Bosh looked unimpressive from what we've seen so far? The air-ball 3's just aren't doing it for me. Why not put James at PF? It's a quicker game at the international level anyway. And it's not like we don't have size...Anthony and James are a good 6'8, Howard 6'11.

can't think of any???

probably
PF Anthony
SF James
SG Wade
[CP3 is gonna start]

This should be the roster

C Howard/Miller
PF Bosh/Brand/Jamison
SF Anthony/James/Battier
SG Wade/Johnson
PG Paul/Hinrich

Eek, LeBron off the bench?

Is it just me, or as Bosh looked unimpressive from what we've seen so far? The air-ball 3's just aren't doing it for me. Why not put James at PF? It's a quicker game at the international level anyway. And it's not like we don't have size...Anthony and James are a good 6'8, Howard 6'11.

can't think of any???

probably
PF Anthony
SF James
SG Wade
[CP3 is gonna start]

no way melo is gonna play pf while lebron plays sf

Ok.. I just see Melo is playing better than James in the exhibition
but if James plays better in the Puerto Rico Match
He will definitely start..

lol starting chris paul ahead of lebron, what a joke.

sorry i completely forgot LBJ playing at PG

this is completely off topic, but i am sure that if LBJ is 6'8 then melo closer to 6'7 or even 6'6

They're as tall as each other

Lebron James
Position: F
Born: Dec 30, 1984
Height: 6-8 / 2,03
Weight: 240 lbs. / 108,9 kg.
High School : St. Vincent-St. Mary HS (OH)

Carmelo Anthony
Position: F
Born: May 29, 1984
Height: 6-8 / 2,03
Weight: 230 lbs. / 104,3 kg.
College : Syracuse

might have to do with there shoes

u can never trust nba's heights. tim duncan was listed as 7' for marketing puposes, and a bunch of other players are not their real heights

Just like Iverson is 6'0" right, as well as Nate Robinson 5'11".

This was a dumb cut..seriously. I'm starting to second guess this team now. Also, anyone who elects to bring lebron off the bench is a retard.

Bowen is so overratted defensively, he just hacks at people and fouls them.

bowen averages 2.3 fouls per. i dont think thats to bad

this is completely off topic, but i am sure that if LBJ is 6'8 then melo closer to 6'7 or even 6'6

Carmelo looks slightly hunched in all those pictures.

yea i know but even if he was up straight do u think he would be as tall?