Whatever - we all know Bonzi is well....let's just say he was named appropriately. Someone really smart once said you can have one wacko on your team, but just one - and Bonzi is our wacko. We knew it coming in. He's going to be a wacko - and JVG knows it....and he knows how to deal with wackos....you can't control them....you just let them wreck carnage on the court and live with their antics off of it. He's a one-year rental....designed to help this team come playoff time. He won't be back next year, but hey, let's hope he helps us out in the year we have him.
I think we need to back up a bit. I've never read that Bonzi was a slacker, so it doesn't necessarily follow that Bonzi is trying to get out of playing hard because he took a low contract or something. What I got from that quote was that he would have put aside whatever his personal issues were if it were a regular season game. I think that's respectable. And JVG publicly said that he was excused, so I doubt that Bonzi just up and said one day "coach, I don't feel like playing preseason games." Yeah, preseason games are semi-important, but he's already going to make the roster, so I feel like cutting him a little slack for putting his 'personal problems' ahead of some games that don't count. After all, I would much rather he dealt with it now than have it pop up during the season.
no I don't think so. no on this team deserves a break yet. I agree with most of the posters here, Bonzi needs to get his act together and get himself integrated with this team quickly.
Bonzi Wells! Welcome Back!! You are not everything that we wish you were but we are glad you are are part of our team. We can't be upset with you after all we are well aware of your history and character.As fans we just wan't you and Jeff Van Gundy to be on the same page. Most of us are eager to see you play with the complete rotation and take us all the way. Jeff Van Gundy, Bonzi is back now! We the fans want you to take good care of him and get him integrated into the team. You know how he is!! So please work with him on all levels, for the benifit of our team.
I'm very concerned about team chemistry, and the constant roster turnover in my mind makes a solid 3rd place team in our division because of it. Yao missing 9-10 days was big because so much of our offense revolves around Yao and he has to rely on others to get him the ball. I do expect us to start slowly (though not nearly as bad as the last two years). The one guy that I think could miss the preseason and be completely effective when he steps in would be Bonzi. He doesn't need to get the ball where he wants it, he rarely throws the ball back after he gets it and he's highly effective getting off his shot. Defensively he'll no doubt miss some roations early on, but his man D and quick hands should make him more than adequate and frankly much better than we had last year . We didn't sign him to be a "chemistry guy" and in fact anyone who signs him in the future will not be either. I don't see this is being any big deal, and I have a feeling JVG's already aware he's going to really like having him.
Don't be silly. I guess that's why shaq has no rings, since he always dogs it in preseason and the 1st half of the season....oh wait..nevermind. Preseason means absolutely nothing to vets and has no bearing at all on the season. Dallas didn't even play dirk or terry for the first 3 games of the preseason. Damn that avery, he doesn't want to win a championship.
Have you guys all forgotten that he asked for permission to be excused and JVG gave it to him? You think JVG is going to say, "Oh, sure, Bonzi. Just slack for a few days. We don't care." Dude was given the time off by the coach and now he's back. As far as I'm concerned, end of story.
I hope Bonzo returns at full speed for the full term, whether that's 11/1 or 7 games later. Do NOT push it, it's a long way to Spring ball! http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2006/10/bonzi_wells_return_part_i.html October 24, 2006 Bonzi Wells' return, Part I Now that there is no need to guess when Bonzi Wells will be back at practice -- he returned Tuesday -- the question can move to when he will be able to play. (Thursday, when Wells is expected to see his first preseason playing time, doesn't count.) The new unknown, unless we need to know why he needed a few days off for "personal reasons," is when he will be able to play regular season games. Wells on Tuesday said he would be ready for the Rockets' season-opener Nov. 1 in Utah. Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said Wells would need two to three more weeks. If he needs two weeks from Tuesday's practice, that would force him to miss three games, returning at Memphis. If he needs all of three weeks, he would have missed seven games, returning against the Spurs. It would seem that unless Wells has a physical setback that he would be able to get himself ready to play at some level by Nov. 1. He might not be at his best or able to play many minutes, but he would seem to at least have a chance to be ready to help. In the long run, however, the Rockets might be better served by getting Wells in shape before putting him in a regular-season game. With Wells coming off a groin injury, the Rockets might need to be certain he can go full speed before he tries it and risks a setback. The answer will likely come in the practices over the next week -- or two to three weeks. The answer for now is anyone's guess, so feel free. But if Van Gundy set the line at two to three weeks, I'll take the under.
He did have the break, but the break broke on him (you know what I am talking about from the other thread)... Anyhow, good to see him back
Bonzi had personal reasons to leave that were excused. That should be the end of it. We don't need verification that he was buying a "friend" a thighmaster, now do we?
wait a minute...is that sanity? on the BBS? nah, can't be. JVg runs a really tight ship. since he's been the coach, i've had a rule. if JVG is ok with it, it's ok.
Pretty much how I feel about the issue. Innocent until proven guilty WITH THIS TEAM. I don't care about his past, just like Van Gundy has made it clear that he doesn't care about a player's past.
I am wondering whether all those people who demand to know what's Bonzi's excuses pay anything to the Rockets organization. Unless you are his coach, or his employer who pays his salary, or a regular season tickets holder who buys the ticket just to see Bonzi, I think you should just chill out dude. Heck, maybe some of Bonzi's teammates don't even know why he took a leave and why JVG let him.
Since JVG gave him permission, either Bonzi has a legit reason or it may be an agreement between the team and Bonzi in getting him to sign w/ Houston. I vote for the second scenario. But for the argument that preseason means nothing to vets: First, Bonzi is not on the level of Shaq or Dirk. Second, the two superstars on his team (legit top 10 candidates, no less) are playing in the preseason and one main purpose is to adjust to so many new teammates. If you, or Bonzi himself, think he is above Tmac and Yao then a reality check is in order.
The bottom line is that this is not the most endearing of starts for him. I can accept him taking time off for personal reasons, but those recent pics of him clubbing are very unprofessional of him. The fact is that he can be the most talented guy in the world, but he needs preseason more than anybody except other first-year Rockets because he needs to adjust to the schemes and realize his role within this team-- a role that will be unlike any other he's had to fill in the past.
