At age of 38, veteran San Antonio Spurs forward retired Thursday after 12 seasons and a reputation as one of the league's most menacing defenders, hounding opponents with a tenacity that some players groused was grimy than dogged.

He was not the most noticeable starter for a championship team early in his career. Drafted by Miami from Cal State Fullerton, he spent several seasons bouncing between clubs and earning little playing time.

But after his 2001 arrival in San Antonio, he found his place, eventually earning defensive player accolades and a regular starting job.

Bowen was named eight times to the NBA's all-defensive team. He finished runner-up three times in defensive player of the year voting. And though he never averaged more than 8.2 points a season, Bowen didn't shy from taking a clutch 3-pointer.

The team Boston Celtics decided to get to service of the free agent Marquis Daniel.

Daniels is almost six seasons; career high of 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 54 games with the Indiana Pacers, 43 of them starts. The Celtics announced his signing on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old player spent three seasons with Dallas before moving to Indiana. For his career, he is averaging 9.4 points in 351 games, including 109 starts.

At 6-feet-6, Daniels gives the Celtics a big guard to come off the bench. They already have 6-foot-1 Eddie House, known for his 3-point shooting, to substitute for starters Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo.

After a disgusting lost in the game one of the best of seven final series which they blown out by the Lakers with an 25 point margin and a disappointing lost again in game two which they were in control of the entire game but losing their composure in the overtime and lost the game.

Yes, finally they got it on their home court last night beating the Lakers with a thin margin of four points. I saw different team of the Magic in their victory the execution of the play was very good, the movement, the bench and of course the attitude of the players. Dwight Howard was getting a lot of dishes from here teammates that converted into a lot of points. Rashad Lewis still having an awesome ballgame after scoring his playoffs career high of 34 points in game three. Rafer Alston bounce back from here worst performance in the previous two games scoring 20 points and shooting 67% on the field while Mikael Pietrus having a nice job defensively on Kobe Bryant limiting him to just 11 points in the second half after his unstoppable performance in the first half of the game. If this performance of the Magic will continue to look like this it is impossible that the Lakers will beat them and maybe they can tie the series or go ahead by one game. As two of the next games will still be played in their homecourt.

Again our Philippine National team lead by coach Yeng Guiao, goes home capturing the SEABA championship in Indonesia. This is in preparation in the upcoming major tournaments that the Philippine team will be participating. Next month the Philippine Team will joining the Jones Cup in Taipe, Taiwan expected there are powerhouse teams of USA, Quatar, Jordan, Israel and of course the Host team the Taipe. Then, on August this year they will go to China to participate in the tournament that they are preparing and aiming to win the FIBA Asia Championship, which if they win that tournament automatic they will be the one who will represent Asia in the FIBA World Championship next year.

Getting the title for the Nationals is not that easy as the Indonesians were very determined to win despite that they were out skills by the Filipino cagers. In the third quarter of the match the Indonesians keep the margin only down by three points before the RP team accelerate and never looked back giving them their largest margin at the end of the third quarter 91-54. In the start of the third quarter the Indonesians manage to have a run but the fire power of the RP team is unmathced closing the game with a 30 points margin over the Indonesians 68-98.

It was a balanced scoring ballgame for the RP squad each of the players scored atleast 7 points. Leading the way were the combination of Gabe Norwood, Jareed Dellinger, Cyrus Baguio and Mick Pennissi. The improvement of the team, the system and the way they play defense was noticed by the Indonesian coach much improved and the system are different compare to the last FIBA Asia qualifying tournament.

I was very frustrated last night as I saw the replay of the game two of the NBA final series between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers. Everyone to be sure not only me expected that the Orlando Magic will give Lakers a good fight and beat them up but it didn't happened, and now down two games to none it is very hard to them to comeback despite the next three games will be on their homecourt. For me it is not an advantage to them based on what I saw and observed the way they are playing in this series is too far on what the performace they have againts the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In the two games of the series I can saw the frustration of the Magic players especially Dwight Howard that sometimes he is not focusing on the game and keep on arguing with the officials. As I remembered in game one he only managed to have two points in the entire first half of that game and with no dunks at all after the game. The players who are playing consistently in this series is the two veterans Rashad Lewis and Rafer Alston and the rest are playing that good. Even though that their starting guard Jameer Nelson is back but he too is not playing that well and not on his perfect shape at all.

The reason why the Magic are down in the series it is because of their lack of experience in the finals that the Lakers are using that advantage againts them. Lakers with Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Direk Fisher together have a total of four final apperance while this is the first time of the Magic under Stan van Gaundy and all of it's players.

I admit that I'm really a big fan of the Orlando Magic but I predicted that this series will be short and be finished in five games. Maybe this series will be extended if Dwight Howard and his company will play the way they punished Lebron James and the Cavaliers.

Next season we will expect the stronger and more competitive Boston Celtics team. I'm very confident of that as I saw the improvement of other Celtics players in this year playoffs, the players like Glenn Davis and Eddie house really step up their game in the last quarter of the regular season and in the playoffs.

But the most I amazed this year is Glenn "the baby" Davis in the absence of their star forward Kevin Garnett who hasn't played in the playoffs due to his injury. The baby answered the call for Celtics as he fill in the missing numbers that Garnett usually gave to the team. In the playoffs he played every game very consistent and efficient with an average of almost 16 ppg. and 11 rebounds behind the leaders Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Despite of being under size in his position as a power forward he still manage score consistently againts the bigger and talented Dwight Howard in the second round of the playoffs,
in that series he showed how talented he was, as he gave Howard a tough challenge in guarding him in his inside and outside game. But unluckily lost to the Magic in that playoff series.

But like the other teams Boston also have thier own problems and issues need to resolve next season and could that be their bench. At the end of this season two of their best bench players might be lost Glenn Davis and Tony Allen will be a free agent next season, maybe Davis will be aiming for bigger money if good offers come to him and Tony Allen will wait for the decision of the management if he will be re-sign for another season. And another is that to have a good back up pointguard for Rondo. If the Celtics want to be competitive next season they must have to solidify their bench, as I believe that it could be the factor that will help them to be successful next year as their key players are not getting younger anymore.

This guy can dunk the ball with his feet barely leave the ground. Amazing isn't it? His size has led to the comparisons with his compatriot Yao of the Houston Rockets, but Sun’s lack of speed is considered by some experts as a barrier to a career in the NBA. He is no other than Sun Mingming.

In the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan- the Pistons guard set the franchise record by the most points in the fourth quarter by scoring 26 points, and lead the Detroit t victory over the Charlotte Bobcats 107-94 on Sunday, and will help the Pistons a step closer in clinching a playoff spot.

He scored the last 13 point for the Pistons and finished with a career high 32 points along with 7 assists in his name. He made all of his field goals and went 14 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Bynum took the spot of Richard Hamilton as he was ejected to the game at the end of third quarter after picking his second technical foul in the ballgame. Hamilton before he was ejected led the Detroit in third quarter with 13 points.

Detroit win was their third in the last four meetings with the Charlotte Bobcats and 3 games above the Bobcats in the eight and final spot in the eastern conference playoff with only five games remaining in the regular season.

D.J. Augustin led the Bobcats with 22 points, with 14 of his 22 scored in the fourth quarter, Felton added with 18 points, while Borris Diaw and Emeka Okafor with 14 points each.

Early in the game the Charlotte led 10-2, after that the Pistons didn't looked back rallied and led as much as 19 points in the first half. The bobcats came back in the third quarter, making their own rally and take the led back at the start of the fourth, before the Pistons pulled away.

If ever the Pistons will clinch a berth in the playoffs, its their eight consecutive apperance in the playoffs while the Bobcats have never happen to play their.

Latest headlines in the NBA this day, Allen Iverson of the Detroit Pistons in his statement, he said that he rather retire than be reserve next season.

After missing his 16 games with Detroit due to back injury, Allen Iverson is back playing a couple of weeks ago and in his last three games, coach Michael Curry give AI limited minutes on the court and used him coming off the bench. On Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers he only played 18 minutes and Wednesday with the loss with the New Jersey Nets 111-98, where he only played 17 minutes on that game. He added also that he can't be effective in this way(that Michael used him off the bench and giving limited minutes) and its tough for him mentally and phisically playing a new role.

On Wednesday game against the Nets, Iverson sat on the bench with his shirt off and his shin wrapped with ice early in the second half. The veteran guard didn't put his jersey back on until he went back to the floor late in the third quarter. After that game he didn't talk about his playing minutes as he only scores 4 points in 1 of 8 from the field.

This year the veteran all star guard is averaging 17.4 points with the Pistons, not the usual numbers for him in his career and previous seasons.

The end of the NBA regular season is near, and I'm very excited of that because that's the time that the NBA board will announce if who is the 2008-2009 season MVP, and eager to know if who will win the most prestigious solo title between the rivals of Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade.

This three is the most popular and most marketable players in the world of basketball at this time. They are also in the top ten in scoring, assist and steals in this season, Kobe won this honor last year while Lebron and Dwayne haven't yet receive an individual award like this.

Statistically Wade has the edges 27 over Bryant 30 and James 24. Through Monday's game he still leads the NBA in scoring (29.9) assist(7.5) steals(2.3) blocks(1.4). This season only Dwayne Wade is the player with 100 blocks and steals, this great season came after the summer Olympics in Biejing China where they capture the gold medal.

James who carry his team to the best record in the NBA this season 61-13, with an impressive record in their home 35-1, Lebron this season leads the NBA in most triple doubles made with a total of seven. He is also the second leading scorer behind Wade with (28.4) assist(7.4) rebounds(7.7) steals(1.3) blocks(1.2). His unselfish plays every game creating the team's offense, and maybe the best defense he is playing in his career. James who can play and defend all of the five positions is that because of his completed package of size, strenght and quickness.

This year in his last statements Kobe said that he is not thinking of winning the MVP this year, and just focuse on winning the championship this year. Bryant averaging 27 points and five assist, helped the Lakers in their 4-0 record againts the Cavaliers and the Celtics.

But I have that very strong feeling that this year's NBA Most Valuable Player will be my main man Dwayne Wade, and he deserve it if ever he is the winner of this prestigious award, agree? Laker's and Cav's fans.

Latest news from the NBA, Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operation. Announced that Piston's power forward Rasheed Wallace, will be receiving a one game suspension without pay for getting his 16th technical foul this season. It's not new to us that Rasheed will be suspended because of his technical fouls. In his entire career he always doing that committing technical due to over complaining to the officials. As I remembered also, that one time I heard it from one of the commentators of the NBA games, this commentator said that Rasheed Wallace is the most technical fouls received in one NBA regular season with 69.

Under the NBA rules, stated that every players and coaches who receives 16th technical fouls in regular season will be automatically be suspended for one game without pay. And for every two additional technical fouls that player or coach will receive another one game suspension.

In that game over the Cleveland Cavaliers which the Pistons lost 79-73 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his 16th technical in the third quarter with 13.9 seconds remaining on the clock. Wallace suspension will take place in their game over New Jersey Nets at the IZOD center tonight.

Thaddeus Young the shooting forward of the Philadelphia 76'ers who help them to take a playoff spot. Maybe will miss the start of the playoffs as he suffered a left ankle injury and a couple or more weeks before he can play again.

In last Tuesday game over the Atlanta Hawks Philadelphia sophomore Thaddeus Young suffered an ankle injury, early in the first quarter and did not return in the entire game. But the sixers still win that ballgame despite of Young's injury.

The Philadelphia 76'ers are currently at the sixth spot of the eastern conference standing, with only nine games remaining in their regular season games before the playoffs, 3 games ahead of the eight spot the Chicago Bulls that still holding that position tightly over the ninth and tenth position teams. Playoffs expected to begin in the second week of April.

This sophomore forward averaging 15.2 points and almost six rebounds per ballgame, he do have a bad start this season and his team because of some changes in their coaching staff. Sixers
are in their second consecutive year in the playoffs.

Tuesday night the Cleveland Cavaliers still on the track getting their 13th straight win over the Detroit Pistons in their home at Quicken Loans Arena.

Their superstar Lebron James carry his team to the victory and refuses to lose a game with Detroit. Lebron finished with 25 points and and 12 rebounds as they won over the Detroit Pistons, 79 - 73 Tuesday night to maintain their home court record to 36 -1. James made to crucial three-point plays in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers were trailing 69 - 67 midway of the fourth quarter, when James took the game scoring eight poinnts and handling an assist in their 10 -0 run . With that win they became just a sixth team in the NBA history to win 16 games in one month. Meanwhile, Rip Hamilton scored 13 points in a losign effort.

Dallas Mavericks former all star guard Josh Howard return to their line up, just in time for their playoff campaign.

Howard was in the starting line up of the Dallas Mavericks in their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night after he suffered a left sore ankle injury and missed an eleven straight games for the Mav's.

Howard return is a big addition to the Mavericks line up as the playoff is getting closer, trying to create a large gap between it's closest rival in the western standings. Before their game with Minnesota Timberwolves the Mav's is ahead with 3 1/2 game over the Suns in the eight and final spot in the western conference.

This season because of his different kinds of injuries he missed a total of 28 games. In his 45 games played, Howard averaging 18.0 ppg the third leading scorer in the team and almost 5 rebounds per game.

Coach Rick Carlisle said that Howard is a flexible player that capable of playing multi position and one of the team best slashers and best drivers going to the hoop. In addition Carlisle plan is to put Howard back into shape, and with only nine games left in their regular season games, he wants to ready Howard in the approaching playoff and back the court chemistry with Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.

Boston head coach Doc Rivers said that he will give additional minutes to All Star Kevin Garnett playing time starting next week. As Kevin Garnett was been playing 16 minutes or less since he return from his knee injury.

Rivers called the added minutes "the second stage" and a positive sign that Garnett is back completely. Garnett missed 13 games with a sprained right knee suffered at Utah Feb. 19.

I understand why Doc Rivers limiting the playing time of Kevin Garnett. What if the celtics will just settle in third spot in the eastern conference. Doc's plan is that he will make ready Kevin in the coming playoffs this June. Even the Boston will be in the third spot it's no big deal at all, because Orlando Magic is not a power house team in their home court. I can say that Boston will beat the Magic if ever they will going to face in the semifinals of the NBA playoffs. This is only one of Doc's strategies, hiding his aces and reserve it on the bigger battle maybe with the Cleveland and Lakers. He is up to something that will amaze and surprise the basketball world that he is the only one can see.