San Antonio Spurs all-time role player starting lineup

The superstars always get the glory, but there is no success without role players keeping the team glued together.

Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, Ime Udoka
Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, Ime Udoka | Stephen Dunn/GettyImages
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Small Forward: Bruce Bowen

Bruce Bowen is the man you call when you know you have to go up against some menacing hoopers—the guys who try to embarrass you with their endless bag of tricks. Bowen was a fearless defender who would get in your face for every second of the game even if he gave up a bucket on the previous possession.

The California product was essential to fortifying the defense-first mentality Coach Pop preached. He would cover Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and any other superstars he could get his hands on. Bowen had a reputation for being a little too physical. Some would go as far as to call him a dirty player, but to Spurs fans, his reputation was as pristine as a surgeon preparing his tools for surgery.

Bowen helped the Spurs capture three championships with his aggressive defense and timely corner threes, which is very impressive for someone who didn't join San Antonio until after his 30th birthday. His continued contributions to the franchise have not gone unnoticed, and his jersey will dangle from the rafters of the Frost Bank Center forever.

Runner-Up: Sean Elliott

Schedule