The Rockets have 3 of the 9 players. Odds are at least 1 will rebound nicely. My hope is all 3 but my bet is on Bonzi. 1: Steve Francis: The three-time All-Star has returned to Houston in hopes of reviving his career, which took a downturn after the Knicks acquired him from Orlando in February 2006. Francis struggled with knee problems last season and showed only flashes of the form that made him an all-around force in his first stint in Houston from 1999 to 2004. This time around, Francis, 30, will be asked to play a supporting role to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming for the Rockets, who have aspirations of a deep playoff run. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mu...players.looking.to.rebound.nba/content.1.html 6: Bonzi Wells: Wells clashed with former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy last season and wound up playing in only 28 regular-season games before being banished for the playoffs. The good news for Wells is that he's now reunited with coach Rick Adelman, under whom the 31-year-old swingman flourished in 2005-06. And Wells shouldn't lack for motivation because he'll be entering the final year of his contract. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mu...players.looking.to.rebound.nba/content.6.html 9. Mike James: The 6-foot-2 guard set career highs in scoring (20.3 points) and shooting (46.9 percent) during a contract year with Toronto in 2005-06, but those numbers slipped to 10.1 points and 42.2 percent shooting with Minnesota last season. James, 32, was traded in the offseason to Houston, which also has added Steve Francis and rookie Aaron Brooks to the backcourt. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mu...players.looking.to.rebound.nba/content.9.html
My bet is Bonzi is the least likely to succeed. Hopefully all 3 guys bring their "A" games this season.
Mike James is the only one that we can say is likely to rebound. He sulked some last year and certainly didn't play as well as 05-06, but he didn't play badly. Last year, Bonzi was easily the worst player on the Rockets and didn't belong in the NBA. Stevie looked like a marginal NBA player at best most of the time, but he finished the season really strong. I've got some hope for Stevie. I'd rather never see Bonzi again.
Steve and Bonzi are both pretty good rebounders. Not sure why Mike James is on the list, though. Edit: I'm a moron.
I all honesty, and i hate to say it, but IMO Steve Francis will struggle. In 2 Years he has gone from the first option in the offence and the free will to do whatever he wants with the ball. Now he is probably not even starting and will strugle for playing time with MJ, Lthr, Rafer, Brooks and Bonzi. IMO he is the one who is going to struggle. Note: I am off my face as i wrte this so disregard anything i say, PS. I LOVE THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!
Actually Francis and Bonzi are the most likely to rebound...because they're coming from great depths.....compared to how great they were at thier heights. Statistically, James might do the same or a little less because he would get probably around 20 minutes or less per game. But, I'm really hoping for a trifecta for the 3 rebounding back with a vengence....because this team could be such a force if we added some "super friends" to our superstars. Can you imagine if Francis, Bonzi, James, Scola and Brooks start cooking?
If anything, everything points to bonzi having a comeback year more then james or even francis. considering bonzi had he's best playoffs series under adelman and the motion fits he's game. Bonzi is gonna abuse alot of the smaller 2 guards and out quick the bigger Swingmen of the league. under adelman he will be a nightmare to matchup on.
Bonzi Wells hasn't out-quicked any NBA player in a really, really long time. He certainly didn't in Sacramento. He was a post-up guard in Sacramento who needed isolations to succeed and slowed Adelman's offense to a crawl. If anything, he should have been better under Van Gundy. But he can no longer dribble or pass or finish or defend, so other than desperation shots to end the quarter, he has no value in the NBA anymore.
I wouldn't go that far until I see him in action this season. At the same time, Bonzi will be unable to guard any semi-quick SG. All they have to do is go right around him. Bonzi's best position might be SF and he would be vulnerable to taller, quicker players. If his head is on straight, I think he has some value to us but how much is the question.
Well word on the street is he has lost 35 pounds or so... I guess he's staying clear of all the pie's.
Last year was a contract year for Bonzi Wells too, since he had the ability to opt out of his contract. The guy didn't play hard for a new contract then. I don't know why some of you count on the guy to do anything, he's been a dog at some point on every team he's been on. I'd rather not waste a roster spot on him.
With all due respect, What the hell are you talking about?. he was tearing arguably the best defense and individual defensive player in the league apart the spurs and bruce bowen. he was blowing by bowen to the rim with pretty realitive ease. Not to mention he is probaly the best rebounding swingman in the league. i suggest you get a tape of the spurs series and watch what bonzi can do under right cicumstances. he was a horrible fit last year. the offense gundy was using neededall of it's wing players to be jumpshooters. Under aelman, bonzi will be a nightmare matchup for the opposing teams. off the bench he'll be deadly.
He had six good games against the Spurs. I guess that makes up for his mediocre years that year in Sacramento and the year before in Memphis, and the godawful year last year.
wait what? keep a guy making like 60k non guaranteed and release a guy who is making 2M guaranteed? bonzi at least has proven himself to have some value in the league despite the recent pitfalls, i am sure if he doesnt work out he will be much more tradable than harris
Then trade him to whoever will take on his salary. I don't care. I just can't believe the guy is going to be allowed to steal from the Rockets again this year.