Clippers television analyst Bruce Bowen won’t be returning for the 2018/19 season, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. According to Wojnarowski, the decision is believed to be related to Bowen’s comments criticizing Kawhi Leonard during Leonard’s standoff with the Spurs earlier in the offseason.
As Wojnarowski explains, even though Bowen was under contract with Fox Sports West and not the Clippers, the club has “significant input” in the hiring of its TV broadcast team, and “withheld approval” on a contract extension for Bowen. The two sides had been expected to move forward on a new deal before Bowen made those critical comments about Leonard, per Wojnarowski.
During an appearance on Sirius XM Radio in June (link via ESPN.com), Bowen suggested there was “nothing but excuses” coming from Leonard’s camp, adding that he felt Kawhi was getting “bad advice.”
“First, it was, ‘Well I was misdiagnosed,'” Bowen said of Leonard at the time. “Look here: You got $18MM this year, and you think that they’re trying to rush you? You didn’t play for the most part a full season this year. And you’re the go-to guy, you’re the franchise and you want to say that they didn’t have your best interest at heart? Are you kidding me?”
While personnel decisions related to television broadcasts typically don’t fall within Hoops Rumors’ purview, the Clippers’ apparent motivations here are of particular interest. As Wojnarowski observes, eliminating Bowen from their broadcast seems to be a “clear message” from the Clips about how they plan to “protect star players” within the organization.
The Clippers are poised to have a ton of cap room available during the summer of 2019, and will likely pursue Leonard – who reportedly wants to play in Los Angeles – along with other star free agents. Bowen’s dismissal from the club’s broadcast “speaks to the high-stakes repercussions” surrounding next year’s free agent class, Wojnarowski notes.
Soft Organization
They just want Kawhi next year. It’s ridiculous on the surface but I have no problem if that’s the end result.
Yup its a trade. Bruce Bowen for Kawhi
Bowen was so bad at his job, this is just an excuse. Thankfully they can find someone suitable to sit next to Lawler.
Yep… he was really bad. Would love it if Bill Walton came back.
Bring back Michael Smith..he was actually good and pretty unbiased.
Smith got super biased once Blake arrived. He used to be great before that.
Sad to see an organization trying to do all possible to bring a player when most probably he won’t go, as much as I think Clippers are the ideal team for kawhi, I think he is too snob to go there, so just as well they can say the truth about him, right?
Wasn’t Bowen the dirtiest player in the NBA when he played for San Antonio? I won’t believe anything about Kawhi until he signs a contract with whoever it is. General managers want to see him physically make it through a season first. Will he be MVP or will he be another Elton Brand?
Ralph Lawler is great but Bruce is rather bland and boring, so maybe Pop will get him a gig in SA.
Canning the color commentator for voicing his opinion – the irony. Best part is he was right. Clippers are just a crap organization if they’re trying to appeal to Leonard by offering a sacrificial lamb.
Sounds like it was an easy sacrifice.
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Why are ex-dirty players so successful at getting commentary jobs?
Good question. Guess they’re smart for trying.
“The clippers are looking to protect players” ahhhh where was this a few years ago with sterling ? As always nothing but class from the clippers