Given all his past troubles, and the way he's acting now, seems like the dude suffers from depression or a personality disorder (borderline, maybe). Some of you hard-liners here (seem to be more than a few) would make it easy and call him a headcase. Tough situation. On one hand a coach might want to sympathize; on the other, you can't jeopardize wins (or chemistry, as was Bonzi's excuse) for such a player.
Surprised but no really shocked. The only reason I'm surprised is because the guys a vet and you'd think he'd have his head on straight by now. Oh well, Bonzi doesn't want to be part of the team then good riddance
Good points - there seems to be more going on here. Bonzi seems like he is crying out for help in a way...Maybe needs some support and understanding
Good call. Exactly what I was thinking last night after I heard the news for the first time. I really think the man is suffering from some serious depression. Life has not been good to him this year at all, starting with the huge deal that he lost in the summer. Then you consider the fact that he really wanted to come here, join a championship-caliber team and prove to everyone that he was a great player, but one way or another it has just not worked out. Every time he tries to rejoin the team something happens and he gets left out again. Now coach tries to give him one more go, he gets out on the floor and he's just stinking it up out there, and he's got hecklers from his old team (Sacramento) yelling "$32 million, Bonzi!" from the front row. And the reality dawns on him that not only did he miss out on $32 million last year, he's definitely not earning anything like that this year either. I think it all finally got to him -- it looks like he's been suffering from depression for quite a while. I really feel badly for the guy right now. Some of you guys might want to stop being jerks for a minute, really. Yeah it hasn't worked out for him here and we're probably much better off without him, but try to be human beings for once. Geez.
I didn't read this whole thread... but First of all, I just hope the guy is okay. Regardless of his screwups with this situation he's still a human being and I never wish ill on someone. Bonzi has been forced to do a lot of growing up this year. He blew a huge contract, signed on with the only team that would have him, then thought he would coast, just like he has probably done most of his life. JVG is not a coasting sort of coach.. at Sacramento or Golden State, maybe, but not with JVG in Houston. So he made the first mistake and skipped preseason to have dental work done. The season starts and he isn't playing. Then, realization dawned that "Crap, if I don't make this better I won't play at all this year." Which I am sure is really what the guy wants to do, as much as a 2 million dollar vacation year sounds good, most people want to succeed in their chosen career. So he sucks it up and talks to JVG, they make a pact to make the best of it. Bonzi plays sporatically, but because he hasn't been in shape all season it causes injuries. He loses the small spot he had gained in the rotation and is left thinking "Crap, after swallowing my pride the first time, now I don't get to play anyway." So he talks to coach again and says basically that he doesn't want to be on the fringes of the rotation... so he stays inactive. Now he's messed up his chances again. He does the required stuff to keep in the coaches good graces, but never intragates himself with the team on court. So when he gets his chance with Tmac's back issues, he's not ready. He doesn't really know the rotations on defense, on the offensive sets he looks a little bit lost... and frustrated he doesn't perform well. Enter the Kings game. Here he is going back for the first time to play against a team where he was comfortable, life was good, and he messed up the first time setting into motion this whole string of crappy decisions. He gets on the court, and is half booed half cheered. Plays nervous and out of sync, his teammates notice it, his former teammates notice it, heck all of the people watching notice it. So he asks to be pulled out to save himself some embarrassment. Bonzi isn't a bad guy. I think he's learning a lot of things about life this year. The chances of him getting a good contract from someone else out of this year are slim. Honestly, you wanna know what I hope for the guy. I hope he doesn't quit, which may be JVG talking to him or someone else within the organization, continues with the team through the second year of his contract, works hard over the summer and becomes an integral part of the team, on and off the court, for next season. I doubt its going to happen, but I honestly think that the structure of JVG's system could help Bonzi. Just like I think, with more time in the system, it will eventually help Snyder. If Bonzi was part of the team from the start there would be offensive sets lined up just for him to make a play, instead of him being on the outskirts and he would be that third scoring option everyone wanted him to be from the beginning. But what do I know.. lol I'm just a fan.
In the Chronicle there's a quote from Rafer saying that he talked to Bonzi last night and he was extremely frustrated about not being able to play well and being out of game shape etc. Rafer says he was surprised that Bonzi decided to go AWOL though.
like someone else mentioned bonzi has to be having some type of mid-life crisis or depression or something. Obviously he never got over throwing away 30+ million (who would) and all year he has not been able to live up to his responsibilities. I was unaware he took himeself out of the game the other night, that right there is a big clue about his state of mind...he just cant take it anymore. bonzi was always an odd fit for this team, but this is just flat out strange.
No, he isn't stupid. He's a selfish jerk who has made some very bad decisions and he has to live with them. His biggest bad decision was turning down $38MM from the Kings, which is why some think Bonzi is stupid. His other huge bad decision was coming into camp 30-40 lbs overweight thinking the Rockets owed him anything more than the chance to compete. IMO, he's had a year long hangover since the Kings pulled their contract offer.
The people who even give a crap about what Bonzi's feelings are should have their ass kicked. The man has been a dog since Day 1 with the Rockets. There is no excuse for his behavior or that he hasn't gotten in to shape. He's been given too damn many chances. Kick his ass of the team and cut off his checks for walking out on the team.
The last time a talented player quit on the Rockets prior to the playoffs we won our second title. While we didn't add Clyde,we do now have a healthy tandem and are developing nice chemistry. Parallels do exist. And we know that........History repeats itself.
Wow I really honestly feel bad for him. I think he is overwhelmed with all of the the BS that has gone on over the past year and it all caught up with him in Sac-town. Having been depressed and known alot of people that deal with it, I would think that this is a pretty spot on analogy. I just hope he gets help from a shrink, meds, friends, or something. Here's hoping that Bonzi gets some much needed help.
Say what you want about JVG, but these are pretty classy statements, and a very proper way to handle the situation. He was supportive of his player (even compimenting Bonzi when he punked out during a game) and had his well-being in mind first (even if only in appearance). I'm not much of a JVG defender, but he could have been MUCH more reactionary and judgmental. He took the high road and I respect that.
C'mon people! You really feel sorry for a guy who is paid $2 million to sit and watch the Rockets play each night? I would kill for that job. And, he has health insurance. He can see a shrink for free. He needs to apologize and come up with a really good excuse to see another minute of playing time.
Oh for crying out loud... Let me explain this in crayon for everyone who thinks that the Rockets/JVG are at fault here. FIRST, Bonzi was only going to play here for one year, PERIOD. His people publicly stated that when he was signed before the season. He only came to Houston because the free agent market had evaporated around him and the big money contract he wanted (and passed on at Sacramento) was nowhere to be found. He needed a place to park his butt for the season. In essence, he was merely biding time in Houston until he could hit the free agent market again. He never appeared really interested in playing here - that's why he showed up out of shape and spent so much time "injured". In the end, he couldn't get over the fact that he had made a dumbass mistake in turning down the Sac contract offer and the realization that he'd kissed off $39 million was too much to accept - something he never ever did choosing instead to blame others like his ex-agent. Now none of that in any way form or fashion can be contrued as JVG's fault one whit. And all of this "I'm a distraction to the team so I'll quit" is a load of horsesh*t that he's putting out in order to appear to be a team player for the next sucker, er, team that signs him. Could he have helped if he was sincere about playing here? Absolutely! This team has lacked a 3rd scoring option for at least 5 years now and even CD has to know this by now. But Bonzi never was going to be that option because he did not want to play for $2.4 million. With him, it was never about the team, playing time or even getting along with the coach - it was ALWAYS about the money. If the Rockets are to be blamed for anything it should be for blowing $2 million on his worthless ass.
All season long, Bonzi's shot has been way short, because he is out of shape and doesn't have his legs. I agree with some others that he is selfishly trying to keep up his rep from last year by backing out now and not showcasing how out of shape he is. He's got free agency and next year's contract on his mind and he wants to preserve his rep from last year. I don't know if he realizes or not that all the good teams will look at more than just his on-court performance, and they will not want him. Worse teams will also know he has a big downside, the off-court side, but someone will take him. Bonzi may be shallow enough to believe that scoring is all that matters. No management in the league really thinks that way though. His free agency value is diminished across the board, with every team.
