Does anyone have an update as to why Bonzi hasn't had a minute of playing time since he rejoined the team over a week ago?
Well I guess we can forget about Bonzi Wells for awhile. He used all kinds of excuses to skip preseason camps and games, but still said he is 100% fit and ready now, and that he can gel into any team easily as it is just basketball that he had played for so long. On the other hand, Jeff Van Gundy obviously does not think he is ready, and does not seem to like his attitude. IMHO, he is in trouble and had sort of personality clashes with JVG.....and the result, he is currently thrown into the doghouse indefinitely.
That's the personal coaching philosophy of the team you work for. I understand, but I really hope Bonzi doesn't need a whole offseason's worth of time. Derek Fisher was injured and missed most of the off-season with his new Utah team. Are Utah's schemes much more simple than the Rockets? http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3125/news;_ylt=AqkdKuJ6dG.Poq_uRz2.dd.kvLYF
Agree with you, this team really could have used a couple of knife fighters in Bonzi Wells and Bobby Sura last night. Wells and Sura both at 6'5 would have strapped it on with Carlos Boozer for every rebound and loose ball that came within their grasp. Outside of Snyder in the lineup, the rockets have a bunch of milk drinkers and it's always been a crutch. This team needs some toughness in the worst way.
I don't think so. I suspect JVG isn't happy with him coming to camp in such poor condition, but I think JVG has probably zipped his lip towards Bonzi, because he is going to try to squeeze production out of him, especially come playoff time. Obviously Bonzi is a knucklehead but it's do or die for JVG this year. He will handle Bonzi with kid gloves and then make a decision come June on whether he wants to keep him or not. It's either that or keep the lid on anything negative so they can move him in a deal with Juwan for another legit NBA rotational player.
Bonzi is fine. JVG is being stubborn. You can't blame bonzi for not working out too hard in the offseason. People without a contract don't do anything that would risk injury until they sign their guaranteed contract.
What scheme? JVG uses very basic pick-n-roll, which even the Greek team did better than JVG's team ever did (maybe ever will?). The truth is JVG is "punishing" Bonzi, showing Bonzi who is the boss around here. That said, Bonzi does have this very cavalier attitude, which is pretty annoying, if you ask me.
Again, while I understand the situation, it really shouldn't take that much practice for Bonzi to do the following: - Box out Boozer/get rebounds - play a 2-3 zone (by far the Rockets most effective Defense last night...which is kind of sad) - dive for loose balls - run a fast break (he's been doing this for years) I mean geez, what do the Rockets practice on offense? Dump it to Yao on the left low block. If not, then set a double back pick for Yao to the right low block and dump it there. Get the return pass from Yao and jack a trey or swing it to the open man, or pump fake and drive. Or set a pick for T-Mac and roll to the bucket it let T-Mac decide to drive, shoot, or pass. Or give the ball to T-Mac, move one way, and then cut to the bucket to see if T-Mac can throw you the ball for an open layup. Or have T-Mac cut to hoop, set back pick, and watch him cut back to the wing where he receives a pass for a jumper. I think i just wrote every possible play in the Rockets manual. Derek Fisher didn't practice with the Jazz. He came in and tore up the Rockets with his steals, jumpers, and so on...and he's a point guard. Who needs more practice: a PG in the Jazz system, or a post player in the Rockets system?
I think you obviously don't know anything about JVG. In Jeff's mind, attitude is everything. Bonzi is in Jeff's doghouse now. Of course last night's lost is a good news for him.
