I can't believe some of you want him back. Based on what? One first round series from over a year ago?
This was one of my man issues with him. He always plays to the media to protect his image. I didn't see anything negative against Van Gundy in what Bonzi said. And yet Van Gundy makes the comment, "Perception and reality are often very different." But wasn't it Van Gundy that said that they did have falling out and that they should put their personal issues aside for the good of the team. And then that this was Bonzi's last chance. It seems it's more Jeff Van Gundy's Perception and reality that are very different. I'm not trying to poor salt on any JVG fans wounds it's just that he has done this alot with various players. Vspan thinks he is Tmac, Yao's shoe company isn't taking care of Business, Stevie was at the Super Bowl, when he wasn't. I am not saying these things didn't need to be dealt with it's just that most of it could have been handled outside of the media. Anyway this is old news and Jeff is gone. So really nothing more needs to be said.
Because he is a legit 3rd option and has proven that throughout his career. He has always performed great in the playoffs, not only last year.
If he takes the option, I say give him one more shot. If he opts out wanting more money, let him go. Then again, he'll be in a contract year next year and could quit on us the next year if we re-sign him to a bigger contract after he picked up the option.
Even if he took the option, why on earth should we trust him? He was playing for a contract this year and basically told us to go **** ourselves. Why in the hell do we need the distraction? I can't believe some people are considering it.
Alot of people here can afford to say that they want him to join the Rockets because they are merely fans and not the GM... the buck does NOT stop at their door. If he fails to perform, they can all rant that the coach, the GM, the doorman, the rubbishman, T-mac, Yao, etc. are all at fault for failing to get him to perform up to his 'potential'. Dudes... put yourself in this position... if you were an employer... and an above average worker asks to be hired by you... and you KNOW for a fact that this worker has a history of attitude problems and issues, would you actually hire him???
I don't know if I want him back. But I do know he was in JVG's doghouse all year and you can't use much of this season to determine if you want him back. I would want to see if he is working hard in the off season and over a course of interviews and workouts see if he really does look like he can bring some of that play he had against SA last year. Not to mention if the Rockets believe Snyder is a real prospect on this team and if Vspan is going to be moved to the point. So the jury is still out but it's not impssible they could have a positive verdict. P.S. That wasn't just any series. Bonzi wells in that Series almost singlehandedly beat SA. He also earned from that at least one of the top ten players last year in the playoffs. Outplaying Duncan and only Behind Dirk, Lebron, Wade, Nash and Brand. He was in the top 10 in scoring 23+ pts. per game and shooting over 60% against the top defensive team. He was also number one in rebounding. Those are Playoff MVP type numbers.
for the option, it's basically a no-lose situation once again. last year he did nothing but it cost us basically nothing. if he actually gets motivated to be in shape and comes in to camp with a good attitude then he may get playing time. i wouldn't begin to negotiate any kind of other contract with him though. if he wants to stay he can play for 2 million again. he certainly hasn't earned a raise.
I'm against even doing that, but at least one could argue in its favor without looking like an idiot. Like you said, he certainly hasn't earned a raise. Not from the Rockets.
Bonzi is a system player. in the right Situation he can be pretty darn good. under the new rockets Regime, i think he'll be pretty good again. at the kings with our new coach, he was pretty good. or the love of all things good, he putup 23 and 12 on the spurs in the playoffs. Adelman knows how to maximaize he's potential. i say bring him back. on a probational basis though. one strike and you're out.
I agree with the people who are a little bit doubtful.. I don't really believe what Bonzi's saying. I'm not sure if it'd be good or bad to have him back, and I guess we will wait and see what happens.
His back is completely against the wall this year. He has to perform. He better pick up that option because the only way we'd renegotiate his contract is by paying him LESS.
Chuck only played half a season in the NBDL. The 06-07 season was his second out of college, just like Luther Head. As to wanting Bonzi back... Why wouldn't you want to give it another try? Especially if he works in the off season to be ready next year... and he is utilized in the right way on the court under Adelman. I honestly don't think he wants to stay for so little money, but if his agent is smart he will recommend that Bonzi work this coming year for a contract the following year. Merely because I don't think he's going to be a hot commodity on the free agent market for two reasons. Because of this season's fiasco and the fact that there are several high profile free agents this off season.
Its all still speculative of course. Cuz even if Bonzi chooses to stay, HE STILL has to put the time in to GET IN BETTER PHYSICAL SHAPE to be a CONSISTENT effective player on the court. There's absolutely no guarantee of him putting in that NECESSARY work, whether the coach "relates" to him or not. Rick Adelman himself would be an idiot if he lets the current version Bonzi have his way and do the same thing he did this past year.
It is all up to Bonzi..... He has a player option on his contract, if he excercises it, he is a Rocket. He probably would be smart to do that, as I am not sure how much more another team would pay him now after this year. I don't think the Rockets will give him any more money, after what he did to the team this year......that would be sending the wrong message. But, if he decides to stay and gets himself in shape, it will make the team that much better. And he already knows the system...... DD
How legit was he last season as a third option? He will be 31 before the season starts so how much of that "Bonzi magic" do you expect him to rediscover?
