Coach Jeff Van Gundy said Bonzi Wells was not there for Houston's walkthrough on Monday morning and isn't with the team for tonight's game against the Sonics. Wells left a voice message for Rockets' athletic trainer Keith Jones saying he felt he was disrupting the chemistry of the team, and Van Gundy was unable to get in touch with Wells. "He's not here tonight. I don't know where he's at. I haven't talked to him," Van Gundy said. "I want to make sure he's safe first." It's been a complete lost season for Bonzi - perhaps a change of scenery is what is best for both parties at this time. Apr. 9 - 9:09 pm et Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out! If this guy isn't the biggest drama queen in the NBA I don't know who is. BONZI YOU AREN'T THAT GOOD! Get over yourself. I hope Van Gundy just tells me to get lost. What a moron this guy was for turning down 36 million from the Kings. I think he must go home and get hi every night depressed about that decision. The biggest mistake he'll ever make in his life.
Bonzi seems to enjoy golfing, maybe he should do that professionally. Sucks for Bonzi because no one is going to want him next season. Unless its the Bobcats or something.
What a piece of crap... http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4700259.html SEATTLE — Rockets guard Bonzi Wells, after struggling through two games since returning from the inactive list, did not join the team for Monday's game against the Seattle SuperSonics, leaving only a message with athletic trainer Keith Jones. Wells also skipped Monday's walk-through at the team hotel, but left Jones a message saying he thought he was being a distraction. He did not speak with Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, who was unable to reach Wells by phone. Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson was not immediately available. Wells' agent, Bill Duffy, said he would look into the matter. "I don't know where he is," Van Gundy said. "I haven't talked to him. He left a message with Keith that he thought he was disrupting chemistry. I just tried to call him. His mailbox is full. I don't have an answer." Van Gundy said he did not agree that Wells was a problem, but would not discuss potential penalties for Wells' absence or his reaction to it. "I want to make sure he's safe first," Van Gundy said. "Let's take it one step at a time. He's not here tonight. Let's make sure he's OK and go from there. Once I know he's all right, we'll take whatever the next step is. I want to make sure he's safe, first." Wells played 23 minutes on Friday, making 1 of 7 shots with three turnovers. He played just five minutes in Sacramento on Sunday, missing his only shot and committing two turnovers before, Van Gundy said, he asked out of the game. He did not play again. Wells has struggled throughout the season, spending much of the first two months on the inactive list, and twice going out with back injuries. He went out again last month with a sore right foot, but remained inactive for 18 games, long after his foot was fully healed while Van Gundy considered other options off the bench. Saying he was not happy with the team's play, Van Gundy returned Wells to the rotation last week. Van Gundy said he had no issues with Wells' attitude when he was inactive or since. "He's been great," Van Gundy said. "He played four or five minutes last night and asked to come out. It was more frustration. That was my guess. I don't have any answers." Wells, who is expected to opt out his two-year contract with the Rockets after the season, has played in just 28 games, averaging 7.8 points on 41.3 percent shooting, 14.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 56.1 percent shooting from the free throw line. "I don't know what the situation is," Tracy McGrady said. "Obviously, it has to be something really bothering him to put himself in that situation to take himself out. I don't know. I haven't talked to him. I don't think he's talked to anybody."
That's a pretty unacceptable... when the team is still going for the home court advantage. I am also confused by the fact that he took himself out of the game last night... didn't he say he want some playing time
Ouch, I guess him not making it to the rotation and the 1-7 shooting last game serverly affected his ego and mind. Hope JVG will be able to make amends with him, it will be a great shame to see a player of such caliber to go down depressed.
good thing this didn't come out on april fools day. no one would've believed it! lol he feels like he's disrupting the team's chemistry = he's upset with PT and doesn't want to make things ugly. one thing i'll say about bonzi, he handled a bad situation with more class than most nba players would have.
The guy showed up to camp FAT, out of shape, and has never cared about this team. He is selfish, arrogant, and ignorant to turn down that deal the Kings offered him last year and spiteful because of it. He will be joining Latrell Sprewell out of the league next season. With his attitude I don't see any team giving him the time of day.
The sad part is that this came a few days after JVG gave him another chance to redeem himself (third? fourth?). If he would have played well, he probably would have made the playoff rotation and buried Snyder on the bench. Instead... he flakes. Again. Unfortunately, Luffy and his ilk will somehow blame this on JVG, even though JVG gave him YET ANOTHER CHANCE. I blame this all on Bonzi.
wtf is bonzi acting like a 5 year old or something. take it to your opponents, take it to the jazz, dont take it on yourself!
I mean I think about what it could possibly be... Not being familiar with Bonzi's career outside of his playoff performance last year and his lackluster performance here, I can only imagine what could be wrong. Injury or fatigue would explain the request to be sidelined, but I don't understand after that why he would go and where as well. I can only assume he still has a home or friends or family in Sacramento, or else I would have no idea where the hell he would be. Why did he leave? Family issues? Personal turmoil? Tired of not playing? Where in the world is Bonzi Wells?
He took himself out of the game last night... if hes upset with playing time then why did he do it? I think he realizes that hes sucking and doesn't want to diminish his "20/9 vs the spurs in playoff" on his resume... The guy just want money... I can't blame him tho, losing that 36 millions is tough.
I think its just being a bad situation from him... being a scorer on the playoffs.. with Sac. then messing up his $$$ deal.. signing.. cheap for Houston and then he does not get any play time....... ... feel bad for the guy.. I wish. he was our six man at least
Can't say I'm surprised, but I was honestly holding out just a sliver of hope that he might return to some semblance of his old form and give us something for the playoff push. I guess that's over now.
My guess is that any more possible exposure of fat Bonzi on the court could do nothing but HURT his chances of any sort of decent contract next year... he would have been exposed in the playoffs where EVERYBODY would see how fat he's actually become, and how much his game has regressed. This way, he gets to take even MORE time to get in shape, have his publicist start spreading rumors that he'll be in the best shape of his life, and he'll try to salvage a mid-level exception. Right now, he's not even worth the league minimum.
Bonzi has been wating for playing time with both TMAC and YAO all season and he did not get to do it in the last game. The guy is in no win situation all season similar to lots of other guys on that bench. I am sure we will hear lots more about this in days to come.
I actually think this sounds logical and acceptable on Bonzi's part. Sounds like he grew to respect his teammates and felt that his presence on the court or off it was more of a distraction than a benefit to the team. Hell, he's forfeiting the opportunity of making up some of his lost funds by not playing.
