BONZI WELLS: "i didn't come to run a marathon, i came to play basketball"

I think we're failing to remember that JVG already played Bonzi. All the talk about holding people responsible, having a team standard, etc can be thrown out the door at this point. If that's how a lot of you see it, then JVG should have already lost a lot of credibilty for allowing Bonzi's ****** on the floor. At this point he might as well work him into the rotation by gradually increasing his minutes.

 

I wrote this in a couple of other threads, jvg admited in an interview with mark vandameer on the local houston radio statition that he made a mistake playing bonzi. that bonzi was going to have to get in better shape.

 

Doesn't it appear that JVG just doesn't have a handle on this team. He has the best pieces he has ever had on the Rox and still can't get them to fit. The San Antonio game was a coaching nightmare, IMO. The Chicago game was also, but they jsut were n't good enough to overtake us like SA did. These game are lovely because even the JVG lovers have to hide their faces in shame. Everyone of them brings us closer to a new coach.

 

I hate to be defending Bonzi- but the fact is when TMAC and YAO are cold- we just disintegrate as a team.

Why are we surprised that Bonzi was going to be a dick head? I really dont see why this cannot be handled in a diplomatic way- where an assistant coach or Keith jones ( and perhaps Tmac) keep the temperature down.

I really dont see Luther, Novak, Rafer, Battier, Mac and Ming- slacking off.

My point simply is this- and it is strictly basketball related ( and special skills at that). Bonzi's defense and scoring will be needed- it is smart for us as a team and as fans, to push for a solution rather than demonize Bonzi. If parcells can live with TO- and trust me Parcells is a no-nonsense coach- we have to live with some crap- if it helps the team. IF he is a cancer- get rid of him and bring in someone who can help.

Regarding those dumb utterances- frankly I do not really trust the media. They want controversy. Craig Sager is known to get his two minutes of fame- to start something going.

 

I understand people being frustrated with JVG. There are definitley somethings he does that puzzles me. However, people so quick to replace him, forget the lack of good / decent coaches available. Their are plenty of poor NBA teams right now with terrible coaches. If there were better coaches available, I am sure they would upgrade. JVG, while he has his flaws, prepares for every game exceptionally well. His in game decisions are indeed trivial. But still, I would take him verse what is out there. Thats why I get somewhat tired of non-stop jvg bashing. Just my 2 cents.

 

Its a simple flaw in assistant coach Gundy's gameplan. No adjustments. Once the opposing team adjusts, he stays the same, forces the same plays no matter if they work or not. Did he not call the same inbounds play about 4 times straight last night? Everybody and their moms can see it but him. Once it gets rocky he panicks and doesn't make proper changes and there you have it, blown lead.

 

JVG knows how to build relationship with players

 

You for got Mad Max and Pig Miller

 

It's called track record. If you have followed Bonzi's career, you know its all about him. He does what he wants and when he wants to. For example (and this is not major but just a small example while he has been with the rockets): He had that Dental procedure during the end of our preseason which could have done well before that. He ended up missing significant practice time and one or a few preseason games because of that. Not to mention time he could have been getting in shape.

Also, I think players with his weight, tend to show their laziness (thus showing his lack of intensity to work out). If he worked out, he would be in much better shape then he is in. You think I'm the only one that "thinks" this? Since nobody gave him a big money contract last summer, I hardly believe i'm in the minority to question his work ethic and committment to hard work. My perception is based on what I read and watch on TV and analysts that talk about him. I'm guessing thats what every fan does and as most people will admit, Bonzi is not a Shane Battier.

Chuck Hayes 2 days after his knee injury and Bob Sura both have been on the bench standing up and cheering every time the rockets have a run. Where is Bonzi. If he can't play, he can certainly act like a teammate and be there? I've been to all the home games so far and have not seen him. Other than what TNT reported that he came to the Arena to ride the bike, has he been seen around the team? His quote of "i'm not here to run a marathon" is assanine. What is one of yao's biggest drawbacks up to this point? His conditioning and many times you can see it in Yao's game. BBall is a tough sport and you have to be in shape to compete at a high level and there is no Half Assing it!

I'm going by what I hear from JVG that he is not in shape. If he was working hard, he would be in shape by now. The rockets and JVG is my source if that is what you are wondering. I totally agree with JVG that he should be held to the same standard as TMAC and YAO. Why shouldn't he, just because he is fat he should have to do less? OR because he slacks off and he thinks he is ready to play. JVG is the coach because he evaluates talent. Thats his job. Its bonzi's job to play bball. When and if he is ready, i'm sure JVG will use him. I'm just curious, are you playing devil's advocate here or do you actually think Bouncy Whales works out hard and is a team player? As you can see most of the people on this board would agree with my comments as would most people around the league. Apparently, you have a different view on Bonzi and must have different sources. So lets hear why you think he is such a competitor and a workaholic...

 

I agree

I think its both guys fault....being hard headed

JVG not playing Bonzi

and Bonzi being a fat ass

 

I totall agree with what you said in that Bonzi would help this team, if we can forget about all his antics but the big difference between him and TO is that TO is one of the hardest workers in the leauge from what I hear and read about. He works out like crazy and is a physical specimen. Yeah he can be an ass and is not always a good teammate but he works hard. He cares to win and you can see the fire in him. I don't see that in bonzi when he plays.

 

Some of you guys crack me up supporting Bouncy Whales in this situation.

"Hey, we need another slasher, maybe OJ can play."

 

What? JVG played Bonzi, but Bonzi played like crap. An out of shape Bonzi is not much better than Rybo.

JVG didn't ask too much from Bonzi except being in game shape so he can play him. And Bonzi failed to do that. How is JVG at fault?

 

Excuses, you guys keep making excuses for Assistant coach Gundy.

Novak is in shape and not playing. So is Spanoulis.
Bonzi isnt, and isnt playing. Who plays then? Padgett doesnt play defense and doesnt want to shoot so why is he out there?


They aren't out there because assistant coach doesn't want them out there.When you can justify this with no explanation as to why Ryan bowen started for this clown and he wont even play the guys they signed, then you'll begin to make sense.

 

yeah, and i want to see tmac throw down 45 points and 15 assists, and see yao put up 50 and 20... but just because they're playing doesn't mean they're gonna play well. what part of that is hard to understand???

no **** man, we all want to see vspan come in and dominate or bonzi posting up for some buckets or novak lighting it up from the outside... but where will you be when they get put in the game and vspan turns it over 3 times in 5 minutes, or when novak gets burned on defense several times or when bonzi cant make it down the court fast enough and misses his defensive assignment? what would you say then if they cost us the game? or games???

fact of the matter is is that we WON, and we are currently 6-3. so complain all you want about us "getting killed" out there... i just thank god you aren't the rockets GM.

 

Even though the Rockets may have gotten him for a deal, he's one of the biggest wastes of money and bench space in the NBA. With his relatively high trade value and cheap contract the Rockets should try to trade him for someone who can actually contribute to the team.

 

Ryan Bowen is not a fat lazy ass who is pouting his way out of the NBA. He was a terrible player, skills wise, but he was not a fat lazy ass.

I know you guys hate van gundy but those of you who think Bonzo is in the right after doing everything one possibly could to NOT deserve playing time are destroying any credibility you might have as far as there being any merit to your serial-JVG bashing.

 

I can't believe it, but somehow the hatred has actually gone up for JVG despite us holding our own so far during a brutal November schedule. We all want to see Novak because he can shoot ... but did you think for a minute that maybe he's not familiar enough with the system to warrant minutes, or maybe he is struggling defensively? Same thing with Spanoulis.

Just throwing guys out there can kill your gameplan. They'll get their chance soon, when they're ready. We are not a rebuilding team that can just throw rookies on the court and let them play.

The bottom line is, it is November, we are not even 10 percent done with the season. Give it some time before you jump down Gundy's throat. If we are struggling come January or February and Novak and Spanoulis aren't playing then maybe you've got something...

 

As you can see Yetti, most people do have the same perception that I have. If JVG feels like he is out of shape and isn't ready, then I have to agree. I'm not the one watching practices, spending counteless hours working with the team. I think he is more qualified to make the decision on who in shape to run the court, play defense and help this team out then either you and I. I totally support JVG on this one. Too many coaches give into this AHOLE players and I'm a little happy JVG is putting his foot down and making Bonzi accountable. He must practice and work hard like TMAC, YAO, and Battier..or then sit on your ass and wait till nobody gives you the money you are looking for next summer...

 

Assistant coach Gundy's gameplan is as Phil Jackson say, predictable. The same screen and roll at the top of the key, hardly no cutting at all, Tmac running most plays from behind the 3pt line at the top, and making plays Rafer can't make. Im not down his throat, but the fact remains, you can justify starting Bowen but not letting Novak get a minute or two.