What Evil Lurks in Bruce Bowen's Shadow?

Here's a link to a really good entry about "the shadow" of your "true self"-- you know, that other thing, lurking around, waiting for an opportunity to take over. Good, evil and the dualistic nature of man on display. If you can't win being you, then perhaps you should unleash "the shadow" and see what happens. If being you isn't good enough, do a 180 and see where it gets you.

I'm reminded of that linebacker in the movie, The Program. The guy who starts on steroids in the off-season to get a starting spot on the team, then he excels, gets caughts and sucks again. He gets on the 'roids -- and, in a cause-and-effect sequence similar to Popeye and his spinach -- makes the big play in the big game, only to lose everything. Who would've thought that movie warranted deep psycho-analysis; but, he did paint his face while on the juice so at least there was some symbolism.

I've been sitting here wondering what really rubs me the wrong way about Bruce Bowen. I mean, he's a cheap and dirty player, but why does that bother me?

A little more literary allusion before I go on. Remember Richard Rich from A Man for All Seasons? Early in the play, he asks Sir (later Saint) Thomas More for an appointment. More refuses because he knows Rich does not have the character to steer clear of temptation and corruption. More tells him to avoid his shadow and stay out of politics.

"Be a teacher," More says.
"But who will know what I do? What about prestige?" Rich asks (I'm paraphrasing here).
"Your students. Yourself. Your Lord. How can you ask for a better audience than that?"
Not surprisingly, Rich betrays More for political reasons. It does not benefit a man to gain the whole world in exchange for his soul, but for Wales, Richard? For Wales?

Bill Simmons really pointed out Bowen's shadow in this article. He sums it up thusly:

"There's no doubt in my mind -- absolutely none -- that at some point between Boston and San Antonio, Bruce Bowen decided to do whatever it took to remain in the NBA. Even if it meant becoming a dirty player. "

Some may argue that he's not "dirty" he's merely "smart" or "opportunistic." Well, okay, you mean like an opportunistic ninja lurking in the shadows?

I'm sure if he ever reads this, he'll just laugh at me while driving off in one of his many Porsches (or some such other expensive ride). What lurks in his heart, though, that would allow his shadow to take over? It can be greed or love of money, because he seems like a relatively smart and determined guy who could've done well in many different walks of life. He had some drive, some desire to want to become dirty so that he could play in the NBA (similar to the face-painting 'roid monster or the attention-starved Rich).

Bowen is the Bill Lumburgh (Office Space) of the NBA. He represents all that is wrong with the NBA.