http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/p...n=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1 Bonzie Wells Sets the Record Straight Last Edited: Tuesday, 22 May 2007, 6:20 PM CDT Created: Tuesday, 22 May 2007, 6:20 PM CDT MyFoxHouston.com HOUSTON -- In his first interview since Bonzi Wells prematurely ended his season with the Rockets April 9, Wells told FOX 26 Sports he has no hard feelings toward former Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy. He says he is thrilled at the expected hiring of Rick Adelman as the Rockets new head coach and he says if the business side of things can be worked out he would like to return to the Rockets. Wells left the Rockets with five games to go in the regular season because he indicated at the time he felt like he was hurting team chemistry. In the interview with FOX 26 Wells sets the record straight about his relationship with Van Gundy. "I felt like we had a good team and I thought I was the missing link. I still do. Coach (Van Gundy) didn't see it that way. He thought he was going the right way. Coach Van Gundy didn't think I fit in. He came to me as a man and told me that. I looked into his eyes and I could see that he hurt for me. I respected that. He told me that I could ask to be waived and I told him I didn't want to be anywhere else. I hated the way it ended because I really started to appreciate him, " Wells said. Van Gundy is not suprised at Wells comments about him. "Perception and reality are often very different. I never thought it was personal between Bonzi and I. I think it's great for Bonzi with Rick coming in because he has a proven history with him. I think it could work out great, " Van Gundy said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. Wells believes the Rockets expected hiring of Rick Adelman is almost like divine intervention. "I thought it was like God sent him here for me. Rick Adelman is a great coach. He's the best coach I have ever had. He really knows how to relate to his players. He does a great job of letting guys be themselves, " Wells said. Wells played for Adelman for one year when both were in Sacramento. "I love coach Adelman. With Coach Adelman coming here I really don't want to be anywhere else," Wells said. However there is a business side to all of this. Before last season Wells signed a two year contract with the Rockets with the right to opt out after year one. The total value of the contract is about $4.4 million. "I have a decision to make and so do they. I wanted to be here even if Jeff Van Gundy was going to be here. It's still early. I think they need a guy like me," Wells said. Wells doesn't rule out opting out and then re-signing with Houston.
Part of this is political... Wells doesn't want to look like a malconent as a free agent. Gundy isn't one to unneccesarily air dirty laundry, either. On the other hand... I never thought Wells was some sort of team cancer with the Rockets...the rest of the guys seemed to like him well enough. He was just not in the best of shape and didn't play effectively... I mean, even his FT% dropped to 56%. The guy was either unmotivated or just still hurting from losing all that money. Bottomline, I think Bonzi still wants to get paid, that's only the rational thing.
like i said, JVG can't relate to his players that well. that's why he only works w/ seasoned veterans. all his knick teams were OLD. our team basically are playing all veterans outside of head and he played head out of necessity last yr. adelman will def. make some of the current players better. i'm really excited. jeff is more suited when we have odds against us (yao/tmac injured) so he can over-achieved
so based on last season's drama with Bonzi, should we use our MLE to sign him after he chooses to opt out his current two year's deal?? I say no way, but who knows
Hmm, this is looking up. I think Bonzi still has the potential to be useful as long as he gets in shape over the summer. Plus, Adelman should know how to use him right so that may work out nicely. Feeling a little more optimistic about next season, just wayyy too long until it starts.
I 've always had faith in Bonzi. I could feel that he tried to fit in, when he said he felt he was hurting the team b4 his nerve broke down. This guy sure has short tampo, but he is a good hearted person.
Hmmm....not sure what to expect. After his last "season", Well's really made me dislike him as a player. If he could though, get his head straight and play like he should for Rick, I guess I'd take him back. But I think he's just after the money. he didn't like what he was making last season so he quit on us. And now by kissing Rick's ass he's hoping to get PAID this off season to resign when he opts out.
I think management will have to listen/trust Adelman on this situation and go with what Adelman thinks he can get out of Bonzi.
Im actually optimistic about this. I dont think he was not at any fault, but I do believe him and JVG just never got on the same page. Just get your chunky ass in shape!
i'd bet on bonzi coming back next year. 1. bonzi has the rockets as his first choice. 2. adleman has had success with bonzi. 3. the rockets can get a good deal on him even with a raise. 4. no other team would really be interested in him after last years dud.
we're NOT gonna pay him more after what happened last season. but right now, the ONLY coach who has faith in bonzi is the guy we just hired => adelman b/c of how bonzi performed that yr under him, esp. in the playoffs. sure bonzi came in fat and out of shape, but JVG never really give him a longer leash to work with. bonzi had a strike, maybe 2 and he was done.
I think he can help...but if he wants more than his current contract forget it. He was a disaster last year on and off the court. I rooted for the guy all year long and he just never showed up. That being said, I hope he comes to work for cheap.
I dont blame Van Gundy on Bonzi. There are only a few coaches that can get to headcases like Artest and Bonzi. And believe me, Bonzi is as big as a headcase Artest is.
Oh my. I'm not sure I believe Bonzi. Maybe if he had spoken before Adelman was hired, I might believe him about not wanting to go anywhere else.
