[Spurs wait on Knicks’ reply: Butler’s agent says New York front office is unpredictable](https://chinaspurs.com)
Web Posted: 07/15/2006 12:03 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Unsure about New York’s plans for his client — possibly because New York also may not be sure — Jackie Butler’s agent wouldn’t speculate Friday whether the center will be wearing a Spurs uniform next season.
Keith Glass, who represents Butler, was in Las Vegas the previous few days where New York’s summer-league team was playing, but said Knicks officials hadn’t spoken to him about whether they intend to match the Spurs’ three-year, $7 million offer sheet for the 21-year-old center.
“I really can’t predict this one, to say the least,” Glass said. “I think it’s a tossup.”
The Spurs signed Butler and Denver’s Francisco Elson to offer sheets on Wednesday. The seven-day window the Knicks and Nuggets have to keep the restricted free agents didn’t start until Thursday because NBA lawyers asked the Spurs to clarify some of the language in both contract offers.
Glass said Butler declined a more lucrative offer from another team because he thought the Spurs would be a better fit. With Rasho Nesterovic traded to Toronto and Nazr Mohammed signing with Detroit, the Spurs don’t have a true center on their roster.
The Knicks have 14 players with guaranteed contracts, one shy of the league maximum, and have almost $70 million already committed to centers Eddy Curry and Jerome James. Butler’s contract also would essentially cost New York double because the team’s payroll figures to incur the league’s dollar-for-dollar luxury tax.
“Nothing is going to surprise me what they do,” Glass said. “It’s a very weird situation. At least, on some type of list, Jackie is behind Eddy and Jerome. But he also was playing ahead of them, at times, last season.”
Former Knicks coach Larry Brown, who is represented by Glass’ father, Joe, favored Butler over Curry and James by the end of last season, often playing him in the fourth quarter.
“Everybody said Jackie was Larry’s guy, but (Knicks president and coach) Isiah (Thomas) is the one who signed him out of the CBA,” Glass said. "He gave (Butler) a chance, and we’re grateful for that.
“Obviously, the chance to play with the Spurs and contribute on a team that could have a championship year is attractive. But we just have to wait and see. There’s a real chance he could be going back to New York.”
The Spurs had hoped to restart negotiations with Lithuanian center Robertas Javtokas if they don’t get either Butler or Elson. But Javtokas’ agent, Herb Rudoy, said the deadline for Javtokas to get out the contract with his Greek team, Panathinaikos, ended Friday.
“That’s over,” Rudoy said of his negotiations with the Spurs. “(Robertas) is committed (to playing in Greece).”
Javtokas will be free to try to come to the NBA next summer, Rudoy said.
The Spurs did make a couple of minor roster additions Friday, signing rookie forwards Rich Melzer and Jamar Smith.
Both players signed minimum-salary contracts with only a small percentage guaranteed. Each essentially will be trying to make the team in training camp in October.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich watched Melzer and Smith play in the Pepsi Summer Pro League this week in Orlando, Fla. Both participated in the Spurs’ recent mini-camp and joined the Spurs’ summer-league team Friday in Salt Lake City.
Melzer, 26, is a 6-foot-8 forward who attended Wisconsin-River Falls. He spent last season playing in the NBA’s developmental league and in New Zealand.
Smith, 26, is a 6-9 forward who played at Maryland. He played for Austin in the NBDL last season, averaging 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds.
Mohammed farewell: Bruce Bowen said Friday he was surprised that Mohammed left the Spurs to sign with Detroit.
“This is where he won a championship, and that ought to say something to someone,” Bowen said. "This is a great organization and community, and the people loved him here.
“He went to Detroit, and I was saddened (about) that. That’s part of the business, but of all places, he goes to Detroit, a team we beat in the Finals. I don’t understand it.”
Mohammed received a more lucrative contract from the Pistons than what the Spurs offered.
David Flores: Bowen works hard before U.S. tryouts
Web Posted: 07/14/2006 10:36 PM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
A 10-year NBA veteran, Spurs forward Bruce Bowen learned early in his career that resiliency and a strong work ethic are just as essential to a player’s success as physical skills.
“You have to keep going no matter how tough it might seem,” Bowen said Friday.
Even after turning 35 last month, Bowen remains one of the NBA’s top defenders and best-conditioned players.
You haven’t really watched a Spurs game until you’ve focused on Bowen and seen him relentlessly hound such high-scoring players as Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
If Bowen were a track athlete, he would be a marathon runner.
“I never ran track in high school, but I always had a lot of endurance,” he said after speaking at a Spurs youth camp at Saint Mary’s Hall.
Bowen, who lives in Miami in the offseason, returned to San Antonio last week to continue preparing for his quest to make the U.S. team that will play in the World Championships next month in Japan.
Training camp begins Wednesday in Las Vegas.
To hear Bowen tell it, it can’t get here fast enough.
“I’m very, very excited because I don’t think there’s a greater honor than representing your country,” Bowen said. “I’m really looking forward to the tryouts. I’ve been like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can’t wait.”
Bowen is just the kind of team player the Yanks need to be successful against the vastly improved international competition.
He’s always understood his role and doesn’t have a problem with getting a limited number of shot opportunities.
Moreover, Bowen can inspire a team with his defensive energy.
“I don’t know if I’ll make the team, but I’m going to give it all I’ve got,” Bowen said. “You can’t be afraid to fail and compete.”
An affable guy with a nice sense of humor, Bowen was a hit with his audience Friday. He spoke for about 20 minutes and took questions from the boys and girls in the camp.
Among other things, Bowen expressed his thoughts on the disappointment of falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals and the challenge of guarding 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki.
“The worst loss was the last loss to Dallas,” Bowen said, referring to the Mavericks’ 119-111 overtime victory in Game 7. “We should have won, but it didn’t happen.”
Bowen said the defeat has given him added incentive during offseason workouts.
“I’ve always taken the approach that I can learn from mistakes,” he said. “A disappointing loss like we had against Dallas can be a motivating factor. You go back and think of things you could have done to help your team win.”
Bowen talked about the thin margin that often separates victory and defeat, using the Mavericks’ 104-103 victory over the Spurs in Game 3 as an example.
Nowitzki, guarded by Bowen, hit two free throws with 7.9 seconds left after being fouled while rebounding a missed shot by Jerry Stackhouse.
“Had I boxed out Dirk in Game 3, we would have won the game,” he said. “But I got caught watching Stackhouse’s shot, and Dirk beat me to the basket. He got inside position on me, and there was nothing I could do.”
Bowen repeatedly stressed the importance of personal accountability and the will to prepare physically and mentally.
“I don’t think I’m a great basketball player, but I try to get better each season and take pride in working hard,” he said.
Turning to the Spurs’ offseason, Bowen expressed confidence the team’s front office will sign a center to replace Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed.
“Sometimes guys step up,” he said. “There’s not a need to panic.”
Bowen might consider becoming a motivational speaker after he retires from pro basketball. Considering how he kept his audience’s attention Friday, he would do quite well.
And get better each year.
最后来欣赏一下Ian Mahinmi，来自今天的比赛中的照片
