Still looks like speculation to me, OMR. In shape isn't the issue now, but in shape may well be the issue, or a big part of it, a month ago. We saw Wells fat and slow to start the season. That's the fact. Besides... this whole "JVG was the guy who wanted Bonzi" thing still has no supporting evidence. Bonzi actually said JVG did less "recruiting" than other teams... no sugar coating, just gave him the facts, told him it's up to him whether he wants to accept the role and sign or not. McGrady sounded more excited than JVG ever did about Wells. Anyhow.. we don't know the private facts. From the public comments, JVG's stance never changed since before Bonzi signed: It's up to Bonzi whether he wants in or not. If he wants in, he's in. If not, he's out. Bonzi says he wants in now. It's up to him to act like it.
Bonzi definitely comes in handy for this team now. We need him if we want to keep Tmac fresh for the playoff. It'd be great if Mountain Mutumbo could find the fountain of youth so he can give us at least 16 mins each game to keep Yao fresh too.
No sh*%! Are you nuts or something? Bonzi is the problem child here, all Jeff has ever said is that he would hold BW to the same standards he holds TMac and Yao.
About time we gave Bonzi a shot. Sure it will take 2 weeks for him to get his legs back- and that is fine? Players like Rasheed, Bonzi, Artest- are problematic but if they have the head in the right place- this is a big plus with or without Tmac's injury. Lets hope this ends well for the Rockets! Let bygones be bygones.
Why people question JVG on his handling of Bonzi? He is the head coach, as a player, Bonzi needs to do whatever JVG tell him to do, otherwise how can JVG manage the rest of the team? What disappoints me is that knowing the history of Bonzi, JVG should have foreseen this is coming. If he didn't think he can handle Bonzi, then why sign the guy? It's not like this is the first time for Wells, he's been like this everywhere he has been. The other thing is that I don't like the signing of Wells, because I don't think his game fits the Rockets. Wells is like James, they are more freelance type of players, don't function well within a structured system, which is what the Rockets have. I hope we can trade him for someone more useful ASAP.
^ some people just want to kiss the a$$ of the players, no matter how in the wrong they may be. player apologists.
van gundy did want bonzi wells, probably not at all over mike james, but there was definite interest that he expressed to fans in the breakfast with the coach sessions during the summer. anyways you're right. without any other facts surfacing and given both guys history i find it hard to pin any blame on the way van gundy has handled bonzi. the argument that you know what you're getting with bonzi when you signed him, so just play him, is frankly stupid. bonzi is the one who knew what he was getting into when signed here and it's his job to adjust his attitude to fit in with the team and the coach. since when did it become a good idea for the coach to bend his rules for the malcontent? all bonzi needs to do is follow tracy and yao's example and get to work. seems to me he figured he was wrong and is making the moves to correct it. he's a good player and if t-mac misses games he couldn't be any more valuable right now.
amen, I was at that event with BigM and Wells was on their radar. Your point about Bonzi needing to adjust to his new team and coach and not the other way around is dead on and to think some on this board blame JVG, I will never understand?
Good God man! Did you remember to bring a flashlight with you when you went on that expedition into your own colon? It gets dark in there, you know, especially with your head crammed in there.
Just to clarify... I don't mean to say that JVG didn't want Bonzi. If he didn't want Bonzi, then the team probably wouldn't have signed Bonzi over JVG's objection. All I'm saying is that OMR's portrayal of the situation (JVG "begged" for Bonzi) is likely in error. Given what Bonzi said JVG told him of the expectations prior to signing, and given JVG's reaction to Bonzi getting out of shape and out of line, JVG isn't desperate for Wells. He just thinks Wells can contribute IF and ONLY IF Wells is right mentally. He was fully aware of the risks, and was determined to use Wells only if Wells decides to buy into the rest of the team. Judging by the record, the Rockets have a good thing going without Wells. He can make it better, but the greater risk is a malcontent Wells making it worse.
Wells has a history as a problem maker and JVG has a history of clashing with the players. Both need back up, let be the team-first issue.
This is incredible news. From watching the games, it seems to me like the Rockets are great, but just short of championship caliber. They are killing eastern conference teams, but the road gets tougher when we start playing more games in-conference. Getting Bonzi back can only help, if only to get some of the scoring load off of Yao/T-Mac. For those feeling he won't be back next year, there's no reason why not. Bonzi will never see another $30+ mil deal like last year's in his life. At best, he'll get full MLE, and that's assuming he duplicate last year's production. No one hands out big contracts to mediocre old players. Young, maybe, but not old ones. Of course, to get money, Bonzi has to play, and play well. Here's hoping that the man does his best to get his money.
Thank GOD thats all I can say because we desperately need a consistent 3rd scorer hope bonzi is that guy
Both Bonzi and JVG should learn something from Yao: Always look ahead, whatever you did yesterday doesn't matter anymore. They can let it go and work together and benefit this team or they can keep it up and keep the fans in suspense. I was so happy when the Rockets signed Bonzi (also because my friends are Kings fans) because he would help the Rockets with rebounding and on offense. Like others, I won't believe it 'till I see it, but I'm glad someone tried to do something.
He's definitely back, I haven't seen him on the Rockets home page flash animation on the top left hand corner for a while but he's on there now
gotcha, yeah jeff clearly wasn't and still isn't begging for bonzi to play. the most begging i've seen from van gundy was when he was at mike jame's house at midnight.
