Why Kobe Should Skip the Spurs Game

Kobe needs to skip the Spurs game on Sunday. I know he's the consummate competitor and he hates missing games, but Bruce Bowen is coming to town.

As I wrote before (and I'll continue to write as long as I can), "Bruce Bowen is a dirty player!" Yet, outside of New York, the media will never say a negative thing about the guy. Bowen's the media darling; always available for interviews and representing the hearty underachiever storyline that the national media loves. Hey we all like the stories about the non-talented succeeding because of hard work and perseverance. Hollywood churns out about ten of those movies every year.

Well from a pure basketball perspective, his defensive antics are simply bush league. If you don't believe me, check out this video of Bowen undercutting Steve Francis a few weeks ago:



Notice how Bowen over extends his left foot right under Francis? While this is not an illegal move it is an unwritten rule in basketball is that you never step under a jump shooter, because it will result in a serious ankle injury. (BTW - unwritten rules in basketball all exist to protect the health of players as opposed to baseball, which protect the pride of some dumb rednecks, like bunting in a perfect game.)

Kobe doesn't need to risk further injury to his ankle. Just take the night off and go Christmas shopping with the wife and kids.