I was pretty damn happy when we got Bonzman this off season, just like I was ecstatic when we landed Stro-fo-sho. But that quickly died when Bonzz and JVG started head butting. I wanted to trade both of them, actually.. but glad Bonzz proved me wrong. Better being proven wrong that right in this situation.
I loved that moment in the game. I hope it is a turning point, not just for Bonzi, but for the whole team. Rockets, don't take no cr*p from no one.
No comparison between Rafer and Bonzi's behavior. Rafer has had zero nonbasketball related problems. Bonzi has had run ins wherever he has been, on the court during games, during practices, outside of basketball, etc. etc. etc.
I actually think he'd be great off the bench, our bench needs a scoring option like him. Off course, in the 4th quarter i'd like bonzi in with yao and tmac. With battier starting, he can be the defensive guy and give tmac and yao some break at the defensive end to save energy for their offense.
See you've got the Bonz all wrong. Sure he has a bit of a history, but no more so than a lot of other players out there right now, and certainly not a history on par with unfocusable troublemakers of the past. What's the difference between Bonzi and those guys? Bonzi gets it done on the court... period. Now there are certain circumstances in which Bonzi might be a distraction, but trust me... he's not gonna be that guy on this team. This team is too close, too unified, too much of a team for Bonzi to even try to get away with overt selfishness. Plus, JVG aint gonna tolerate that. The important thing now though is that Bonzi has a purpose again... he will continue to improve and excel. Bonzi is playing for a better contract, sure, but now thats not all he's playing for. He is a Rocket now... and this team has a shot at the title. The thing is, without Bonzi that might not be possible considering T-Mac's questionable health. Even though it took him a little while to realize it, Bonzi is a part of a true team now, and as such has answered the call and decided to step up and give it everything he's got. Bonzi might have his "r****d" moments but Bonzi isn't stupid. Bonz knows if he steps up, works hard, becomes close knit with his teammates, and plays as hard as everyone knows he can, not only will the Rockets succeed on one level or another, but when they do... he's gonna receive a lot of the due credit and is gonna be offered the long term deal he seeks to not only make him significantly richer but also to establish himself as more than a talented journeyman. And if we do win a title (or even make some noise in the playoffs) with Bonzi... I think we'd have to resign him to a well paying deal. To me that is only logical and fair. You don't bring a guy in to join your team knowing full well that he can put you over the top, but then only keep that guy around for a season no matter if he plays great or terrible. If Bonzi helps us out as much as it's starting to become clear he will... the Rockets have to at least offer him the best multi-year deal they can afford. Also, to suggest that Bonzi would just quit on his team after getting his money and ring is suspect at best. If he decided to come back to the Rockets and signed a multi-year deal with them after he helped lead them to the title... no way would Bonzi let down his team and his new home by not giving it his. Bonzie has been a pain in the ass at times in the past, but no way would he quit on his team while they were in the hunt for another title. At that hypothetical point, Bonzi will have too much invested in Houston to give less than his all. Plus, with T-mac being a big injury risk for the next several years, Bonzi would know that it would be up to him to hold the Rockets together when, not if, Tracy goes down for consecutive games. I think Bonzi would embrace being able to be that guy. Also, we have to stop looking at Bonzi's role with our team as a one year partnership of convienience, even if that is the end result I'll bet you Bonzi isn't looking at it like that. He recognizes that if he puts this team over the top not only does he possibly get a title, not only does he get his big pay day, but he gets a home (something he hasnt really had in years) and in doing so would legitimize himself in the eyes of everyone as more than a talented crybaby... and you can bet that's important to him as well. All hypotheticals previously discussed aside, Bonzi is for real for our team for at least this one season. He's not as fat as most Bonzi-haters claim, and is definitely getting back into game shape at a pace that has to make you say "Hmm... maybe this guy has a little more passion and drive than we all thought." He's gone from playing a total of like 8 minutes in the first 20 games to quickly elevating his game back to where it needs to be because that's what the team needs. The Bonz is busting his ass not only for his payday, not only because his team needs him, but also because he has to be aware of what the Rockets can be with him giving his all... and what that is is a true title contender. Infact, what's gonna be really fun to watch is when we have Yao, Tracy, and Bonzi all healthy and playing at full speed with our talented roleplayers helping in numerous ways; that could indeed be the combination that gets us the title. Bonzi is a Rocket and I hope that if he continues working hard, giving 100% every night, and the Rockets are a much better team with him that he'll get a good multi-year offer from the Rockets and decide to return and call Houston home for a couple of years. But at least until free agency next offseason, Bonzi is a Rocket, and a player that can do the team a lot of good in the short or long term. Maybe I'm wrong about Bonzi despite my hunch, maybe he won't come back, maybe he secretly hates everything about the Rockets and wants to get far away from JVG... but as long as he makes the best of being here and gives his all for us without causing any conflict, well, that's good enough for me. So remaining Bonzi haters... give The Bonz the benefit of the doubt, signs point to him doing everything he can to get into gameshape and help the team. He's a Rocket now, and if he screws up again you can hate him all you want, but its time to put the past where it belongs. Bonzi seems committed to helping us get that title that we all know we can get, and until he betrays or hurts the team he deserves to at least be given a chance by you guys. Bonzi is the piece that can put our team over the hump, that's pretty much a fact... and holding some stupid grudge against him because of what happened earlier in the season does no good for anyone. And again... HE'S NOT FAT! P.S. Damn this turned out way bigger than I thought, I guess that's what happens when you take several breaks in your writing. I apologize for the length, and anyone who disregards it entirely is probably wise. To anyone who actually finished it, congratulations you've just won a trip to Orlando, Florida where you and a guest will stay in the Orlando Hilton Hotel for a full 5 days while you see the sites of Orlando for FREE! The second place finisher will receive a leatherbound edition of the article they've just read, featuring exclusive additional ramblings from the author including topics such as: why Dikembe Mutumbo is the best backup center in the league, why T-Mac has a lazy eye (hint: its trying to ESCAPE), the 50 reasons why Hakeem was better than MJ, an exclusive interview revealing Clyde Drexler's 2002 labotomy, and a Yao Ming color by numbers miniposter in which Yao is depicted simultaneously murdering Ivan Drago from Rocky IV and the Predator from the popular movie series with his barehands.
I agree in the comparisons, but I think Shane is a more versatile player coming off the bench. If Bonzi reaches the starting line-up in favor of Hayes, we are bringing in no scoring capability when Hayes enters the game and a mismatch for most PFs on defense -- which hurts, with Yao most likely on the bench with Hayes in. Battier, on the other hand, can not only score efficiently (which is important for a back-up) and defend well enough to not be taken advantage of, but can also fill in more roles than Hayes. He could legitimately back-up anywhere from the two to the four. Head, Snyder, and Battier would be a very nice trio to bring off the bench. Prior to the start of the season, I would be 1000000% with you. Problem is, I'm still afraid of T-Mac's passive play, and Rafer's eagerness to shoot. Hayes and Battier are both great for the intangibles but almost force Rafer to shoot more, as neither has any desire to shoot nor the ability to create. Bonzi in the game provides one more passing option for Rafer that is willing and able to keep the ball out of his hands, as well as someone who can free up both T-Mac and Yao's game. The extra scoring punch off the bench is still tempting, however.
I like Bonzi coming off the bench especially when Tmac gets back... he can be the backbone of the reserves... when Tmac or Yao takes a rest... and he will have his chances to play with both...and he will be the go to guy for some streches in the game... the way this team plays Bonzi will get his shots...Tmac and Yao Rarely take more than 20 shots each a game... if we get Tmac back and Bonzi keeps is playing form... then I think we have a outside chance...at the very least no one is going to want to play us in the playoffs... then maybe next year we can pick up the 1 or 2 more players we need to be considered legit contender...
He looked fatter than this in the media day photo to me. More telling was his play early in the season. He simply wasn't moving as well.
nice Bonzi read... http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/.../MYSA122306.07C.BKNrockets.wells.366c6ac.html
