Wells looking to contribute after returning to action Houston at Golden State, Thursday, 9:30 p.m. HOUSTON -- Bonzi Wells didn't bother evaluating his cameo appearance in Tuesday's setback to the Los Angeles Lakers. He was just glad to be on the court for the first time in over a month. "I'm happy to be out there and I'm glad Coach (Jeff Van Gundy) gave me my jersey back," Wells said. "I missed the guys. I miss the camaraderie. I'm just glad to be back." Wells will likely be on the court again Thursday night when the Rockets begin a five-game road trip against the Golden State Warriors. Tip time is slated for 9:30 p.m. After spending the past month working on his conditioning and getting on the same page with Van Gundy, the Rockets swingman returned to the lineup Tuesday for the first time since Nov. 5. How did Wells fare in his return? Well, he obviously wasn't in midseason form. He finished with zero points, no shot attempts, two rebounds, an assist and three fouls. Wells acknowledged after Tuesday's game that he is still working himself back into playing shape. "It was only (six) minutes (of playing time), so I don't really know," Wells said. "Hopefully, I can get some practice days under my belt. Once I get some games under my belt, hopefully I can get my rhythm back and do some good things for the team." Since signing the ninth-year veteran just before the start of training camp, the Rockets have been hoping that Wells could emerge as a third scoring option alongside Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Wells, however, ended up missing a hefty portion of training camp because of injuries and personal matters before eventually finding himself on Houston's inactive list. Despite the slow start to his time in Houston, Wells still believes he can play a vital role for the Rockets. Wells' scoring ability could certainly help since the Rockets are missing McGrady, who is out indefinitely with back spasms. "I can play the game, definitely," Wells said. "I want to be out there and be a part of it. I don't want to be just one of the guys out there on the court. I want to be out there scoring and playing defense. I want to be out there doing what I do. I know Coach (Van Gundy) is going to give me the opportunity -- I just have to take advantage of it." Battier, who played a season with Wells in Memphis, said the swingman could eventually help the team. "Obviously, Bonzi has a lot of catching up to do," Battier said. "He has to learn the plays and has to learn what our team does. We're playing well right now and it will be on him to catch up. He can do it. If we can integrate him into our offense, we'll be a much deeper team." Searching for someone to compliment Yao on the offensive end and match the Lakers' size, Van Gundy turned to Wells to start the second half of Tuesday's game. The Rockets reserve had an impressive no-look pass to Yao for an easy dunk, but his first game in a month wasn't exactly smooth. He had the ball taken away from him on the only pass that he caught in the post. Wells is still optimistic, however, that everything will work out. "I'm not an individual-type-of-goal-oriented player," Wells said. "I've been in the league for so long, I just want to win a championship and that's what I came here for. We've got the pieces in here, barring injury, and, hopefully, we can do it." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ URL-link: Rockets.com ______________________________________________________________ This is looking pretty good! Goooooooooooo Bonziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii .... be a Rocket!
This is the best case scenario that we could of hoped for just a few weeks ago... I'm just estastic that he's on the court as well, and that JVG is giving him one more go-around to see if this is going to work. Wouldn't it be something if Bonzi turned out to be the one who saves our season after all this?!? What a story that would be!
best BEST case scenario: bonzi comes back and he and luther head form one of the bench scoring combos in the league. sura comes back and can contribute 10 minutes off the bench the same way and style he did in 05. vspan still gets his 5-10 minutes. snyder comes back is able to give tmac more rest. pg combo of sura/head/vspan/jl3 reduce rafer minutes to 20-25 mins/game i am happy to hear about bonzi he is in better shape than he was at the start of the season, but the talk is still the same. hopefully he can prove it tonight on the court. sura on the other hand cant come back fast enough
As of right now, our season doesn't need saving. The BEST story would be if we continue to play well and Bonzi helps us incrase our point differential from 2nd best to 1st best. I don't really care who is playing as long as we are winning. If we can win without Bonzi and Novak withering away on the bench, I'm fine.
Wrong. Best case scenario: Tmac comes back with no more problems with his back. Otherwise, we get a problem. If our bench players can step up and contribute more, it helps a bit but right now, I am depressed with Tmac's situation though it isn't anybody's fault...
It sounds like a light bulb went off and he is finally realizing how much more the Rockets are paying him now than what he'll get in the off-season if things were to continue the way they were. I am sereiously glad to hear it though. No matter what his true motivation is, showcase his skills for a better contract next year, enjoy the comraderie, or win a championship, I am just glad he is ready to contribute to the team. If T-Mac can get back in Half decent shape, Bonzi can potentially serve as a way to limit TMac minutes without a drop in production.
It's a shame that we're the only team that everyone has to use that qualifying statement when talking about us. You never hear people say the spurs or mavs are contenders....barring injury.
exactly! that what i don't understand bonzi. nobody in his right mind would do what he did in a contract year! oh well, hope he finally gets it.
depends on what happens with mcgrady. if he's out extended time or comes back and goes out again, bonzi may have to help save our season. we're doing well now, but tonight's a test to see what we look like without t-mac.
Showcasing some trade bait. Bonzi is a non-factor and will continue to be one. Shape him up and ship him out ASAP.
