I really like the James, McGrady, Bonzi, Battier, Yao lineup to close out games with McGrady initiating. We are still seeing the beginning of the offensive development. Hopefully our point guards will start to see and understand to throw Bonzi the ball as soon as he gets that high post position on his defender. He is ultra lethal when he gets the ball high posted with with room to go either direction and if they get the ball to him as soon as he gets set, it will totally break down the defense as they will have to scramble to bring help and Bonzi will pick 'em apart with his passing. Bonzi's sweet spot is 15 feet from the bucket on the right block about halfway between the edge of the FT line and the baseline. When he gets over there with his man on his back, he should receive the ball immediately. Unfortunately, Rafer and James still don't see it. They continue to walk away from him. When Rick finally gets it through their skulls to get Bonzi the rock when he gets in that position, look out. Wanna see some McGrady more wide open slams down the middle like the one last night? Get Bonzi the ball on that right high block and let McGrady operate the weak side. Bonzi will collapse the D and leave McGrady to run right down the boulevard and cram it.
yes, i agree with you. Bonzi was wasted by VGD last season and he will prove his value under Adalman's coaching.
Bonzi wasn't ready at playoff time last year. He was a detriment to the team so he stayed home. He didn't do anything given the short minutes he actually played last year right when T-Mac was out right? Must be the great love for the team and JVG that he took himself off the roster.
I don't know about most improved, but 6th man of the year is definitely a possibility if he keeps playing like he has. Is comeback player of the year still a category? He might not have been injured, just fat, but it should still count.
I like the fact that he is always smiling and having fun. If this team can keep having fun along the way, I think that makes a big difference with chemistry and keeps the stress and pressures of a long season from setting in.
Like the rest of you, I will never forgive Van Gundy for forcing all if those donuts down Bonzi's throat.
You are so confused. Bonzi was in contract year last year. If he had a good season he could have opted out and got a raise. So not playing under Van Gundy cost him money again. As for his problem it was clearly JVG. Yeah Bonzi came in a little pissed about throwing away millions of dollars and he came in out of shape but he isn't a small guy and even now looks to be a bit overweight. And it's not like during the season he didn't work on losing weight and working back into game form. Hell when he made his only start of the season in February in place of McGrady, he had 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists. I don't know how out of shape anyone can be to be to pull that off in the NBA but I'll take more guys like that on this team. He was in mid season form and there should have been more opportunities like that for him. But JVG had it out with him and decided Bonzi would kiss his ass or sit the bench. Bonzi wasn't he easiest player to deal with but JVG made it impossible for him. JVG didn't try to work things out and in the end wasted a very talented player that could have easily lead us to victoris over Utah and Golden State and into the WC finals where everyone know he would have given SA fits. JVG definitely deserves some blame for that lousy playoff exit and deserved to be fired. Ah but that is all water under the bridge. My only disappointment is JVG wasted a year of Yao and Tmac's prime. But he is gone now and the Rockets are a much better team without him.
I was one of the bashers. I admit he looks good so far but there is still alot of ball to be played. Its going to take more than 5 or 6 games for me to change my mind. Dude can loose it at anytime. I still say you cant depend on him long run. Hope he proves me wrong.
true look at James who have (in words of clutch) "infected" by rafer alston. I like the tandem of bonzi, battier and Tmac. These 3 looks great playing together.
Uh.......concur. However, Terry CAN be streaky and simply (seemingly non-existent in some games or for long stretches in many) but he seems to be less streaky so far this year, but with Bonzi playing at this pace, we can cancel the Mavs in a 7 game series if healthy. Bonzi is the most welcome player I want to see coming off the bench so far this season and he's a refreshing comeback story and the trey he drained against the Bucks from near the baseline was a throwback to his days in Portland where he shot well beyond the arc draining treys like bombs with regularity. Madd props to Bonzi for losing his weight, and his quickness has been the most pleasant surprise for me to watch so far this season as well as his turn around post up J from about just beyond 12 feet and also his relentlessness on the glass. His penetration is unstoppable for most 2's cause he's just too strong and goes to the hole with too much force and will. He has a warrior mentality and when Scola (who has a similar warrior mentality) gets better acclimated to the NBA and refs, our bench is gonna be sick (and that's not even considering SF getting thrown into the mix) That's a lot of heart and determination when you combine Bonzi, Scola and SF coming into the game at the same time,.... They all have a killer instinct that's hard to be taught I also love how happy Bonzi is with his team mates and how he's finding his game and his way back into the association with increased PT and he seems to be very comfortable with his journey back. I'm so proud of this cat, and I honestly do wait for him to come off the bench (with MJ) more than any player. I feel a sense of security with our second wave coming into the game, more than I have in a long time. Sam I Am also gave me this feeling of confidence when he made his initial substitution for Kenny Smith but on an obviously greater scale than Bonzi at this point. I just hope he stays healthy cause this team will go deep with him and the rest of the team healthy. What if Novek could develop a semblance of D, toughness and further add to the effectiveness of the bench?
I'm glad Bonzi turned his attitude, and more importantly, his fat, around this year. The Spurs game seems to have really invigorated him to play all out. That's exactly what we need when Tmac or Yao aren't on the court, someone who can keep up the attack on the basket and not give the defense a break. He's also played w/ the Battier/Hayes attitude (which every player should have) of going after every ball on the boards. Of course it's early in the season, but I hope he keeps it up. Although I doubt he'll take the 6th man award, he'll definitely be in the conversation at this pace.
dont get used to this yall. bonzi's only playing this good because it's a contract year. he's looking for a fat paycheck and some team will offer him one next year.
Bonzi is exactly what we needed, I didn't understand all the bashing he received last year. Yes he came out of shape, but the Rockets did sign him knowing that. I didn't understand that from Rockets fans. He repeatedly said he didn't play basketball not once in that summer. As the year kept going on, I still backed up Bonzi, and now Im happy to see it all worked out.
Bonzi was a waste of 2 mil last year. To blame Van Gundy is asinine. The Rockets didn't owe Bonzi anything and he got what he deserved, just like Spanoulis. Do I respect him more for coming out ready to play this season? Am I glad he is still on the team? Of course, but I still haven't forgotten last season. He really did a number on the Rockets with his complete lack of professionalism. He did get into the rotation in Dec. of last year. Then he got hurt once again. That was unfortunate. However, his lack of conditioning and respect for the professionalism of the NBA was appalling. Those of you advocating a double standard of behavior for "talent" as opposed to the other players (however you classify them) should be ashamed.
