The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly cut ties with former San Antonio Spurs great, Bruce Bowen, who was hired to partner with play-by-play man Ralph Lawler before the 2017-2018 season.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clips decided to part ways with Bowen after comments he made about highly coveted 2019 free agent, Kawhi Leonard, during a radio appearance back in June. The Clippers will be among the teams looking to sign the Raptors' forward next summer and the organization apparently wants to make it clear that they don't condone negative remarks made about Leonard, or other potential free agents.
"I think there's nothing but excuses going on," Bowen told Sirius XM Radio on June 22, according to ESPN. "First, it was, 'Well I was misdiagnosed.' Look here: You got $18 million this year, and you think that they're trying to rush you? You didn't play for the most part a full season this year. And you're the go-to guy, you're the franchise, and you want to say that they didn't have your best interest at heart? Are you kidding me?"
"I think he's getting bad advice," Bowen told Sirius. "I think what you're starting to see now is an individual given a certain amount of advice, and it's not the right advice. Here it is: You were protected in San Antonio. You were able to come up during a time where you still could lean on Tim [Duncan], Tony [Parker] and Manu [Ginobili]."
Wojnarowski reports Bowen was under contract with Fox Sports West, but the Clippers "have significant input into the hiring of television broadcast talents and withheld approval on extending his contract."