"People say that, and I feel like a football player," Bowen said. "You know, 'Special teams, get in there!' I want to be more."

He said that two months ago, when the season was new, when he was a new starter in a new city. Bowen thought, maybe, he would drive to the basket and prove to be more than he had been before.

Then he drove to the basket. Leather found glass, metal, hands, shot-clocks and everything else not containing nylon fiber. San Antonio hadn't seen a shooter like this since David Robinson wore a cast on his left hand.

Bowen had no choice. He went back to what earned him employment in the league. On Wednesday he not only chased Jerry Stackhouse, he also chased away his big plans.