The more I hear and read about Bonzi, the more I like this deal.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13371163p-14212769c.html
NBA beat: Wells realizes the fans always come first here
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, August 7, 2005
It's a pretty simple arrangement in Sacramento, an unwritten rule for Kings players with the backdrop of the most rabid and loyal fan base in the NBA.
Compete like every game means something. Acknowledge the paying customer with a smile or wave.
And behave. That's all.
Kings fans embrace all comers, from the starters to the 12th man for the very reason that they are wearing the team colors. They'll do the same with Bonzi Wells, his past be damned.
He knows. The newest King said opposing players dread the Arco atmosphere and noise. He remembers being half-tempted to yank off his headband and stuff it into the cowbell clanging in his ear behind the visitors' bench.
He also said he now realizes you cannot mess with the consumer. The backlash is too harsh. He suggested when playing for Portland that the players didn't care about the fans (and later apologized for it).
He also made a rude hand gesture to a Portland fan, another no-no (and later apologized for it). Fans, he said, were trying to get to him in Portland, frustrated with a collapsing team full of suspect characters.
"I'm not saying I was an angel," Wells said. "I will admit to that (finger incident). Fans were getting too personal. I did (gesture him) to get him out of my face. I let him know how I felt. It was wrong, and it was stupid."
And the Kings fans? Wells would be outnumbered.
He wanted to assume his favorite jersey, No. 6, but was informed the number is retired in the Arco rafters, in honor of the fans as the "Sixth Man." So he chose No. 42, with the simple math showing 4 plus 2 equals 6. It's the number he wore at Ball State, where he set records and was so adored his jersey was retired.
"No. 6 here? I couldn't take that here, not with what it means to the fans," Wells said. "I hope to make the fans appreciate No. 42 now."
Memphis wanted Jackson
Wells' agent, William Phillips, said in his discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies, club executive Jerry West was adamant in wanting to acquire Bobby Jackson.
So, the deal brought in one former King (Jackson) and sealed the exit of another former King (Jason Williams). Williams was shipped to Miami in a blockbuster trade that brought to the Grizzlies Eddie Jones, who, like Jackson, has long been known for class and professionalism.
Wells and Fratello
Wells insists he has no idea why he was barred from the Memphis arena by coach Mike Fratello during the playoffs last season - "I'm still waiting for an answer" - but he might have shed a clue when he suggested all he's ever wanted was a lot of playing time.
"I purposely didn't do anything in Memphis," Wells said. "I never cussed Fratello out. ... You're suspended and you don't know why. I was blindsided. The week before, we were talking about (signing an extension). That definitely gave me an indication that I wasn't going to be there."
(I've posted the rest of the article, which doesn't pertain to the Kings, in the NBA forum...)
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13371163p-14212769c.html
NBA beat: Wells realizes the fans always come first here
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, August 7, 2005
It's a pretty simple arrangement in Sacramento, an unwritten rule for Kings players with the backdrop of the most rabid and loyal fan base in the NBA.
Compete like every game means something. Acknowledge the paying customer with a smile or wave.
And behave. That's all.
Kings fans embrace all comers, from the starters to the 12th man for the very reason that they are wearing the team colors. They'll do the same with Bonzi Wells, his past be damned.
He knows. The newest King said opposing players dread the Arco atmosphere and noise. He remembers being half-tempted to yank off his headband and stuff it into the cowbell clanging in his ear behind the visitors' bench.
He also said he now realizes you cannot mess with the consumer. The backlash is too harsh. He suggested when playing for Portland that the players didn't care about the fans (and later apologized for it).
He also made a rude hand gesture to a Portland fan, another no-no (and later apologized for it). Fans, he said, were trying to get to him in Portland, frustrated with a collapsing team full of suspect characters.
"I'm not saying I was an angel," Wells said. "I will admit to that (finger incident). Fans were getting too personal. I did (gesture him) to get him out of my face. I let him know how I felt. It was wrong, and it was stupid."
And the Kings fans? Wells would be outnumbered.
He wanted to assume his favorite jersey, No. 6, but was informed the number is retired in the Arco rafters, in honor of the fans as the "Sixth Man." So he chose No. 42, with the simple math showing 4 plus 2 equals 6. It's the number he wore at Ball State, where he set records and was so adored his jersey was retired.
"No. 6 here? I couldn't take that here, not with what it means to the fans," Wells said. "I hope to make the fans appreciate No. 42 now."
Memphis wanted Jackson
Wells' agent, William Phillips, said in his discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies, club executive Jerry West was adamant in wanting to acquire Bobby Jackson.
So, the deal brought in one former King (Jackson) and sealed the exit of another former King (Jason Williams). Williams was shipped to Miami in a blockbuster trade that brought to the Grizzlies Eddie Jones, who, like Jackson, has long been known for class and professionalism.
Wells and Fratello
Wells insists he has no idea why he was barred from the Memphis arena by coach Mike Fratello during the playoffs last season - "I'm still waiting for an answer" - but he might have shed a clue when he suggested all he's ever wanted was a lot of playing time.
"I purposely didn't do anything in Memphis," Wells said. "I never cussed Fratello out. ... You're suspended and you don't know why. I was blindsided. The week before, we were talking about (signing an extension). That definitely gave me an indication that I wasn't going to be there."
(I've posted the rest of the article, which doesn't pertain to the Kings, in the NBA forum...)
