Bruce Bowen does well in his first call with the LA Clippers

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Bruce Bowen made his first call as a color commentator with the LA Clippers last night.

In case you haven’t already heard, the LA Clippers hired Bruce Bowen to replace Mike Smith as Ralph Lawler’s broadcasting sidekick. He made his debut last night alongside Lawler, and he was received well.

Michael Smith was Lawler’s broadcast partner for 19 years, dating back to 1997. He and Lawler had the chance to narrate the greatest Clippers games of all time, and the two often exhibited great chemistry. There were dozens of quotable “Settle down, Mike Smith” moments in recent years, and Clippers fans often held Smith in high regards.

Bowen began his night on Clippers Live, the pregame show that airs an hour before tip-off. He was introduced by Lawler, who has been with the team for 39 years. It seemed as though Lawler had plenty of respect for the 3x NBA Champion, as he listed off all of his achievements before formally introducing him as his new broadcast partner.

While the change is welcome for some, the results, as of now, are mixed. Smith was held in high regard, after all. He had a reputation as a good guy, was a fan favorite, and was very passionate about the Clippers. In fact, he finished his playing career in Los Angeles in 1995.

How did you feel about Bowen’s debut? Do you miss Mike Smith? Or do you think Bowen will make the broadcasts more entertaining? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned to Clipperholics for more!