Chapter 135: Penalty Results, New Rules for Stepping Issued!
Vince Carter was the first NBA player to publicly denounce Bowen on social media.
"Obviously, the trigger of this whole incident was Bowen. His foot-tapping behavior angered Chen. This isn't the first time he's done it, and it won't be the last. I hope the league finally gives him the punishment he deserves."
No one in the league had more authority on this subject than Carter. Bowen had gone after him countless times.
Back in 2000, when Carter was still with the Raptors, Bowen's dirty footwork caused him to sprain his ankle.
In 2004, Bowen outright kicked Carter and knocked him out for the season. Carter's athleticism never fully returned after that injury.
The most infamous clash came in 2005. Now with the Nets, Carter rose for a three-pointer—only for Bowen to once again slide his feet under him. This time Carter adjusted mid-air and avoided disaster. When he landed, he chased Bowen across the court, ready to throw hands. If the referees hadn't intervened, Bowen would've been destroyed.
So in Carter's eyes, Chen Yan did nothing wrong. He had simply done what Carter had always wanted to do.
Another All-Star shooter, Wally Szczerbiak, who once took Bowen's foot to the face, also weighed in immediately:
"Bowen's actions aren't tough defense. They're dirty. Always have been, always will be."
Allen Iverson, never one to mince words, chimed in too:
"Bowen got beat down, but that doesn't mean he's a victim."
One by one, players pointed their fingers at Bowen.
David Stern was delighted. This was exactly what he wanted—shift the blame onto Bowen, and it became much easier to protect Chen Yan.
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Stern immediately convened an emergency league meeting to finalize punishments.
The Suns' penalties came first.
J.J. Barea, Kelenna Azubuike, and Matt Barnes: suspended one game each and fined $10,000 for leaving the bench.
Amar'e Stoudemire: suspended two games and fined $15,000 for his role in the altercation.
Raja Bell: suspended four games and fined $20,000. His punishment was heavier than Stoudemire's because he used a chokehold, deemed more serious.
Finally, the league turned to Chen Yan.
The ruling: a four-game suspension and a $30,000 fine.
Four games—for knocking out three opponents.
It was shockingly light, but Stern had his reasons. This incident wasn't like the infamous brawls at Auburn Hills or Madison Square Garden.
There had been no full-scale riot, no fans attacked. In fact, one could argue Chen Yan's knockouts prevented the fight from escalating further.
Anyone with eyes could see Stern was deliberately protecting him. And with the Chinese market looming so large, no one dared object.
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On the Spurs' side:
Manu Ginóbili and Robert Horry: suspended one game each and fined $10,000.
Bruce Bowen: suspended three games and fined $20,000.
Stern made it clear: Bowen's repeated attempts to step under shooters triggered the conflict, and that kind of behavior had to be punished severely.
Then, Stern personally unveiled something new—"The Foot-Stepping Rule."
From now on, when a shooter went up for a jump shot, the defender had to leave enough space for a safe landing. Failure to do so would be called either a technical foul or a flagrant foul, depending on intent and severity.
It wasn't perfect. Intentional and unintentional stepping would be hard to distinguish. But it was a step toward protecting players. And everyone in the league knew exactly who inspired the new rule: Bruce Bowen.
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That night, the NBA officially announced the suspensions.
The Suns didn't appeal. Their management even stepped up and promised to cover the fines. For wealthy owners, it was pocket change. But for minimum-salary guys like Barea and Azubuike, it meant everything. The gesture showed unity, not an encouragement of fighting.
The Spurs, however, appealed furiously. They couldn't accept Bowen's three-game suspension—especially not after he'd been headshot and humiliated on national TV.
The league rejected their appeal.
In desperation, Bowen tried a different tactic. He posted a selfie from a hospital bed, head wrapped in bandages, wearing his best "tragic victim" face.
It backfired instantly.
"Bowen, are you even alive?"
"Chen was too gentle. You still had the strength to take a selfie."
"May heaven have no dirty footwork."
"Hahaha! The day this new rule came in was the day Bowen retired."
The backlash was so relentless that Bowen deleted the post in tears. He had been crushed physically by Chen Yan on the court, and now fans were destroying him mentally online.
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As for Chen Yan, his reputation only grew. Instead of hurting his brand, the fight expanded his influence.
Endorsement offers rolled in—boxing glove manufacturers, combat gear companies, even martial arts brands. All of them wanted Chen Yan as their spokesperson.
He turned them all down.
The storm had finally settled, and Chen Yan refused to let businesses use his fists to stir up more trouble.
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