FS West hired Bowen (c) last summer to replace longtime Clippers analyst Michael SmithNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Bruce Bowen "won't be renewed" as the Clippers TV game analyst on FS West next season after he made "critical comments" about Raptors F Kawhi Leonard, according to sources cited by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. Sources said that Bowen was under contract with FS West, but the Clippers -- like every organization -- have "significant input into the hiring of television broadcast talents and withheld approval on extending his contract." Bowen in June was critical of Leonard's free agency plan for the '19 offseason, and sources said that the sides were "expected to move forward on a new deal before Bowen's public comments on Leonard." The decision to part ways with Bowen "speaks to the high-stakes repercussions" surrounding the NBA's star-studded '19 free-agency class (ESPN.com, 8/13). In L.A., Dan Woike notes FS West hired Bowen last summer to "replace longtime Clippers analyst Michael Smith" (L.A. TIMES, 8/14).
DISSECTING THE DECISION: ESPN's Mike Greenberg said, "This is the league where you're allowed to speak your mind, you're allowed to say whatever you want, unless you are a team's analyst and you might interfere with them signing a free agent." ESPN's Mina Kimes called the Clippers decision "so over-the-top," while ESPN's Jalen Rose said the team has "always found ways to botch big decisions" ("Get Up!," ESPN, 8/14). ESPN Radio's Mike Golic said the decision was a "bit petty" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 8/14). Meanwhile, FS1's Nick Wright said, "I understand why they did this. It might not be fair, it might be mean. You might have been asking Bruce Bowen to serve two masters at this point in time if he's paid to give honest commentary and then giving honest commentary gets him fired." However, FS1's Cris Carter noted, "If he's working for the team, he ain't paid to give honest commentary." Carter: "If they do a real good cleaning, they might find a thumbprint of Jerry West in this one" ("First Things First," FS1, 8/14).
NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES: USA Today's Sam Amick writes the Clippers' message is clear: free agency next offseason is a "major priority, and they’ll let nothing get in the way of upping their odds with the game’s best players" (USA TODAY, 8/14). ESPN's Frank Isola said it is a "sad commentary" for the Clippers. Isola: "I understand why they did it, though. This is the Clippers in a market where they're competing with the Lakers, the Lakers got LeBron, the Lakers are going to make a run at Kawhi, and the Clippers feel they have a chance because Kawhi doesn't want to play No. 2 to LeBron." ESPN's Michael Wilbon noted he is "not even sure Kawhi is sophisticated enough to make the connection" between Bowen and the Clippers. He added, "There's no association, except for those of us that watch a lot of late-night basketball. ... This is just a lazy move, it's a disappointing move." Wilbon: "Fans say, 'We don't want homers.' Really? Guys are forced to be homers by lazy no-account moves like that." Isola said, "'Don't tell the truth,' I think that's what they're telling you" ("PTI," ESPN, 8/13). ESPN Radio's Trey Wingo said there is the possbility "through back channels maybe Kawhi's people might have said, with or without Kawhi's blessing, 'Hey look man, if you want to sign this guy just so you know we might have an issue (with Bowen)" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 8/14).
TOUGH TERRITORY: AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Andrew Bucholtz wrote this is an "interesting overall development ... and just the latest landmine for local broadcasters to avoid." In the past, some local broadcasters have gotten "in trouble for on-air remarks, but those usually haven’t been about particular players." But with local broadcasters often "seen as an extension of the team, it’s understandable why the team might think their negative comments about a pending free agent could hurt the chances of bringing in that player." Whether that "justifies making a broadcasting change or not is a different story, but the Bowen case shows at least one team thinks that way" (AWFULANNOUCING.com, 8/13).
TWITTER REAX: "Ridiculous" was the key word among Twitter commentators. N.Y. Times' Sopan Deb tweeted, "If these comments are why Bruce Bowen isn’t coming back as an analyst for for the Clippers, it’s ridiculous. And don’t call whomever replaces him an 'analyst.' Towel-waver, cheerleader, whatever. Just not that." ESPN L.A.'s Arash Markazi: "Apparently the Clippers weren’t thrilled with Bruce Bowen’s work as a TV analyst even before his comments. ... Don’t look for the Clippers to bring back Michael Smith." BYUtv's Jason Shepherd: "Bowen should never have replaced Michael Smith ... but, for LA to fire a guy in order to placate another player (Kawhi Leonard) who is on a different team, and who'll most likely NOT choose to play for the Clippers as a FA is ridiculous!" Dallas Morning News' Ben Baby: "As someone who grew up hating Bruce Bowen, even I think this is ridiculous."
