It is over now for Bruce Bowen of Spurs...

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.