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

I did watch that game where he played, and it was sad. But I do feel he could have worked himself into shape. ALOT of players do it and have done it in the past.

And you are right Gundy isnt as bad as I make him out to be. I am very frustrated with him as a coach.

Mostly because I don’t feel like he does much coaching. He is not motivational, he doesn’t develop talent.

We have decent young talent sitting on the bench this year gaining no "in-game" experience.

V-span should be getting time, so should Novak. but they wont because Van Gundy coaches like Rybo plays.

 

I agree for the most part on the in-game stuff. But the blowouts haven't really ended as blowouts. Those minutes are substantial in them getting some playing time and get better. As for V-Span, maybe there's something in practice where he still isn't totally in control. You can't have your point guard giving up points when you have a big lead with time left. With Novak, I've mentioned a few times about how he seems to let people get around him too easily so far. That and his inability to get back on defense quick enough as a corner shooter. I'd like to see them develop as better players, but for now, I'll trust JVG

 

Why, because it was right for Spreewell to choke Carlesimo? you're making absolutely no sense.

if anything, the example of a malcontent like Sprewell actually getting his act together while under Van Gundy, and being a part of a team that put it together and made an improbable NBA finals run, provides a nice counterexample as to what an absolute douchebag/loser/idiot Bonzi is.

He might deserve a differetn approach if he was say, Shaq, or Michael Jordan - but it's Bonzi freaking Wells. Sorry bud, but we don't serve your kind in here.

 

JVG blows this "out of shape" stuff way out of proportion. Give Shaq to JVG, I dare JVG to bench him or put him in inactive list becoz Shaq is out of shape. Last season, Shaq was out of shape. Did Pat Riley put Shaq in inactive list or bench Shaq? Pat Riley only gave Shaq a eye to chest talk after all-star break and asked Shaq to get his fat ass fix.

 

A couple arguments to that though. With shaq, your'e talking about the person manning the center position under the basket. It's very different with a perimeter defender out of position and out of shape.

The other thing is, you play with the hand you're given and try to win. As of now, the Rockets can do fine without Bonzi while he learns to cope with himself. If the Rockets can win this way, you don't want to disrupt the chemistry.

 

Maybe you are right about V-span. but he has to be a better defender than Alston.

And the last time I checked Padgett was content to to let people get around him too easily also.

You may trust Van Gundy, but I find it hard to do so.

 

Not sure whether you are running a business, or a successful one. In my opinion, to keep a business running, you need to a) satisfy your top performers, and expect consistent good results from them b) people know their roles and contribute with their best ability c) to build a sense of fair environment, and make people recognize that their efforts are appreciated and never gone unnoticed.

Any business will be damn lucky to have Yao and TMac as their top horses, who work hard, don't demand much, don't bully other co-workers, and more importantly, they deliver. What's left for you to make this a successful business is to rally everyone around your top horses, following their examples and work hard.

You have postive models in Yao and TMac, sometimes you need a negative one to show consequences. Bonzi is a great example to set. He has some talent, but doesn't have the necessary professionalism, and he's lazy and behaves badly, who happens to be in a contract year, deperately need to get on the court and perform. What do you do? Reward him with undeserved minutes, to upset Head, Snyder, and players like VSpan and Novak, or sit his a$$ down and demand him to work into shape and start to earn those minutes? You evaluate your return/risk ratio. The upside is Bonzi will bring in better numbers than Padgett. However, the cons list is long. I bet Yao loves Hayes and Shane, who understand basketball, are willing to do the dirty work, take fouls for him. TMac loves Shane, who takes tough defensive assignment for him, direct all the attention to him. Will they be happy to have a lazy ass on the court, who needs them to cover his a$$ instead of getting supports from him? Besides, as a coach, if you play Bonzi at this point, you might lose all your credibility in front of VSpan and Novak, and risk to take away their inspiration to work hard. Why would you do that?

I don't understand you guys. If it's Yao or TMac, who demands minutes without proper condition, it might be a delicate case to handle. But a role player in contract year, who's famous for his attitude? And you guys want JVG to give in, and spoil him further, and talking about running successful buiness? Give me a break.

 

Sure, but Bonzi Wells ain't Shaq.

Thing is, we've got guys like Snyder and Head COMPETING for playing time at the 2, which is the spot Bonzi plays. You think those guys are going to keep working hard if Bonzi "Can't Jump" Wells skips preseason and wanders in with a gut waltzes in and takes minutes away from them?

If Wells really ISN'T in shape, who's to say he doesn't get out there and screw his groin up again because he can't run properly?

There are other factors to consider besides "JVG = HATE WELLS"

 

But there are other things. Padgett guards the baseline and backs off and let them shoot jumpers when you have a big lead. The other thing is movement on the offense. Novak literally stands there and doesn't move. That's the easiest thing to guard, because you can wander around an area and concentrate on everyone else while that happens. The cut and the picks set by Padgett puts the defender on its toes and makes them guard you and keep an idea that you could move at any time for a layup.

 

Im sorry, you make no sense. How is it you can be diverse with Shaq and jordan and not be so with Bonzi?

So does it have to do with your last name? Can you only be wise if they are SUPER Duper stars? Or should be you be wise with all your players?

I dont think it was "right". I think a person can be pushed only so far by someone who thinks they are "right" until they just snap.

Carlesimo has stated (I will try and find it) that he pushed Spree to the mental limit.

Simple answer: No it is not right to choke your coach. But it is also in not right for the coach to be a butt.



And about Knight, I think he should be suspened. He should get the same treatment as his player would have gotten had the tables been turned.

 

Point well taken.

I have a question though. Sincere question at that.

Do you think if the lead was big enough, and it was late enough in the game, would coach give those guys a chance at the floor?

 

In my opinion, he should for two main reasons. He needs to keep guys on their toes and ready whenever a situation arises when the player might need to come in (injuries/fouls). The other is, the NBA is a proud league with proud players. You don't want to leave your stars and main minutes contributors in the game in case a hard foul occurs and an injury follows.

On that note, I did like what I saw from VSpan on the Dallas game, but he does seem to force the situation a little too much. And I would certainly hope that the Rockets could close some of these games so that minutes could be given out otherwise.

 

That's very interesting. So, your thinking is that a team can play a fat ass centre but not a fat ass shooting guard. I guess a fat ass centre probably can defend better with a fat ass. We are talking about fat ass here, I think fat ass are all the same. Suddenly, Shaq's fat ass is better than Bonzi's. Lol!

Are the Rockets doing fine? My goodness! Someone wears sunglass watching the games and dont even know its close to blow another game with big lead.

 

no, I'm not saying it's fine, but on one hand, you have a guy that can still dominate the inside because he bumps defenders back with his weight.

The other thing is the geometry of the court. When you're on the perimeter, allowing someone to pass could break your whole defense and when you're down deep in the post, there's not as much lateral space between the player and the basket. Shaq commands a double team regardless of his size and weight. Although I think it's stupid that he would come into camp oversized and cause more harm than help for his team, Bonzi being out of shape is a liability on offense AND the defense. Shaq being double teamed will always help open up the floor.

 

Right now it looks to me like we have a team with good to great chemistry. Our two superstars are hard working and unselfish, setting an excellent example for the rest of the team, who seem to be working their asses off. There is no way JVG should be giving playing time to a belligerent tub of pudding when the the team is doing just fine without him, and risk f'ing up that chemistry.

 

i like v-span and his game, i hope he gets more time soon.

 

Yes, if you have established that you are a legendary immortal, level 37 paladin like the veteran Shaq or Jordan - a more lax standard is acceptable.

If you are Bonzi Wells, a foul mouthed, Teamkilling n00b with a history of being kicked, - this lax standard is not available for you. Sorry.

That makes perfect sense, I'm unsure as to what about it you don't get.

 

me too. I've been excited about his play, and especially during the world championships. To me, his problem is that the game is faster in the NBA and help defense is stronger and quicker, allowing help defenders to set their feet. Also, if it's really the case or not, the americans just don't get called for every ticky-tact foul in the NBA as they do overseas. If Spanoulis gets tangled up, he creating the contact will probably get accessed an offensive foul or just a stand-up no call. I'm curious as to his passing abilities after he puts his head down.

 

ugh!.. Pallies....

 

Among thousands of bonehead posters, occassionally I can find few mature, intelligent persons who make decent, logic comments. This make my time in this bbs worthwhile.
Thanks.