I was told by a friend who works for the rockets that wells came into camp at 268 pounds and that is the main reason for him being given a leave of absence. He said he must have not done anyhting in the offseason.
I heard from through my sister's friend, who's friend works at a salon, that one of her customers golf's with the janitor who has the night shift at JVG's office, that his boss's boss overheard two ball boys saying they heard JVG saying Bonzi was taking a leave of absense and he shouled up to camp with a lot of baggage - clearly referring to the fact that he was overweight and needed to take a leave to party and work off some weight.
He weighed 240 last year so it's not hard to believe, especially when considering all the reports that he was hurt throughout the offseason and couldn't do much.
Bonzi = Stromile Swift IMO. Remember last year, when we signed swift and everyone here got excited and penciled us in as the champs? Well thats how I feel about Bonzi. I think he's a great talent, but I also think he just doesn't care anymore and I think he'll end up in JVG's doghouse sooner than later and won't really make an impace on this years rockets team. I think people overreacted on when we signed Bonzi. Thats IMO of course, we will see, but i'm not sold on the guy, not at all.
at least we didnt put all our eggs in one basket this year...i would be more worried if we had not adquired battier and snyder this year...therein lies the difference.
Remember when Stromile was actually a very good player and a potential 6th man of the year candidate, and then that time when he averaged 23 and 12 against the Spurs in a 6 game playoff series? You don't? Gee, neither do I. His attitude is consistent with the rest of his career, as I expect will be the case with his on court production. And that's fine by me. Bonzi ≠ Stromile.
Bonzi is a proven and a bonafide vet. Strow was a all potential with absloutly nothing proven bonhead.
I know I know. Bonzi has the skills and ability to be great for us, but I just don't feel like he has the drive or cares. And I don't think he's a JVG type player so i'm predicting that he won't have much of an impact on this years team. I hope i'm wrong.
That's the great thing about his signing. He basically has to care and he basically has to stay in line once the regular season gets here and he can't get off so easily with missing games. Even if he's not aware of it, I guarantee his new agent knows that if he doesn't impress this season he could be well (no pun intended) on his way to being Latrell Sprewell Jr. The bottom line is that he put the option in his contract for next year so he can get paid. That will not happen if he doesn't produce. Therefore, he will, because money talks when it comes to NBA players.
I actually think it's a good sign that the rockets are taking bonzi aside and are training him privately. it shows both sides are commited to getting it right. bonzi wants to learn our plays to the the bottom line.
I wouldn't be surprised if he is very overweight right now. Players don't work out until they have a contract signed, they're too afraid of getting hurt. They don't want to be Willie Green (the philadelphia guy that was about to get a big payday until he got hurt and had to take a lot less money). That's why donyell marshall and damon jones came in overweight for cleveland their first year and they didn't seem that good.
Everyone passed but Sura. The rockets wouldn't have even been able to sign him without raising a big stink if he couldn't pass the physical. Do you have a link for this at all or did you just hear it from a buddy of yours?
I believe what JVG meant is that depending on circumstances, they could have failed him based on the groin injury, a lot like when Shareef Abdur Rahim's had bad knees during his physical with the New Jersey Nets. Or whatever it was...I may have some details mixed up. Same deal though. They decided to fail him and rescind the deal, I believe, but they didn't have to. Either way, Bonzi passed and there's no evidence that his weight was a problem that would have failed him, if that's what you were indicating.
