Bruce Bowen: Team USA Final Cut

Bruce Bowen was the final cut. Earlier, Gilbert Areanas was sent home packing because of an injury. The 12 man USA team is now set. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony are co-captains. The other 9 are: Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul.

I thought Shane Battier would be the one in the sideline this coming Sunday at the World Championships in Japan. Some other thought so too. But my guess is, he was DUKED OUT by Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Coach K is the coach of Duke. And Shane, we all know is a Duke Blue Devil. Both these guys share same basketball principles and probably life principles as well. Just how blue Battier blood is? His number 31 jersey was retired by Duke. Coach K is bluer than blue. He was offered by the Los Angeles Lakers multi million dollar contract, he turned it down and preferred to lead Duke in the NCAA still.

It must be hard for the management to cut Bruce Bowen because he is such a solid citizen, team mate and defensive player. But his play (specially offensive play) during the tune-up games didn’t help his cause. Scoring only 4 points in 4 games. That's a ridiculous 1 point average. Coaching staff perhaps thinks that Shane can do the defensive chores and score better. More than what Bruce can give.