The saying "friends can sometimes become enemies" perfectly describes the relationship between former NBA players Bruce Bowen and Ray Allen . In a 2005 ESPN interview, the latter mentioned that they used to socialize at league events during the offseason.
However, their friendly bond took a turn for the worse when they clashed during a game between Bowen's San Antonio Spurs and Allen's Seattle SuperSonics. This left 'Ray-Ray' with little positive to say about his former buddy.
"The ironic thing is Bruce and I used to hang out. Now, I can't stand him. I get the persona on the court where no one likes anyone, but what he does is sissy basketball," Allen bluntly stated .
The elbow incident
On April 11, 2003, Allen faced the San Antonio team for the first time after his trade from Milwaukee to Seattle. Early in the game, the heated confrontation occurred when Bruce swung his elbow at Ray, leading to his ejection. Unsurprisingly, the victim was enraged, even "ready to fight" the culprit, whom he later publicly called out for his antics.
"He pulls you; he grabs you; he hits your elbow every time you shoot; when you go to the basket, he pushes you, and then he falls. Stuff like that is not really basketball," the 10-time All-Star said.
The Spurs' number 12 causing trouble with his aggressive defensive style was nothing new. Many players had felt the brunt of it, and this time, 'Ray-Ray' was on the receiving end. However, after the game, Bowen stood by his actions without regrets, stating, "My job is to make it as difficult as possible."
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Animosity reignited
The next incident happened during the game on March 30, 2005. San Antonio won 89-76, showcasing a defensive masterclass by limiting the Sonics to their second-lowest score of the season. Allen, in particular, had a tough night, scoring just 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting. However, the sharpshooter quickly shifted the blame to his defenders, Bowen's unfair tactics, as well as the referees, whom he claimed missed several fouls.
"Bruce was riding me the whole time, and I was shocked I didn't get a foul call," Ray complained.
In response to that comment, Bowen dismissed the idea of being called a "villain" and expressed his tiredness about his opponent's whining, saying, "At this point, it's like, 'Whatever, Ray.'" The California native also made a historical comparison to Michael Jordan's encounters with John Starks, pointing out that top players usually don't complain about tough defense, remarking, "I've never heard the great ones say anything like that."
This was clearly a jab at the opposing superstar, Allen. Not long after, both teams met again in the 2005 Western Conference Semifinals , which ended with a 4-2 victory for San Antonio. This matchup provided the perfect opportunity for the two former NBA champs to further deepen their animosity. It's safe to say that these two quarrelers would never return to being friends.
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