Bonzi on 1140 this morning

[Warhawk]

Heard it while driving, so here's what I remember:

Kings are clicking a lot better and have their swagger back.

They like getting Bonzi or Artest in the post to get a shot or a double-team, then kick out to Brad or Mike or hit a slashing Kenny or SAR.

He has not problem coming off the bench (at least for now - I think he mentioned at least 5 games or so) because he and Rick talked about it and they want to work him back in slowly (20 minutes or so a game for now) after what happened last time, which Rick apologized for (too many minutes).

Whatever Rick asks, Bonzi will do - team guy, wants the team to win.

Very happy about the progress of Kevin.

About 7-8 of the guys went out to Mr. Chows (?) in Manhattan after the Nets game for food and drinks. They try to get the rookies/young guys to pay, put they complain about being poor, so the vets often pick up the tab.

Mike is the "guy with the lampshade on his head" most of the time - team comedian - cracking guys up with imitations or jokes.

Mike is his best bud on the team - they get along great.

The MRI which showed his tear completely healed has eased his mind and helped his play. The little discomfort he has/had is from a little inflammation, so it isn't a big deal right now and he can play full tilt.

Loves to go after the ball with steals, diving for it, offensive rebounds, etc. - it's the way he is and the way he plays.



Might have been a bit more, but that's all I can remember off the top of my head.

 

[MrBiggs]

Mike is the "guy with the lampshade on his head" most of the time - team comedian - cracking guys up with imitations or jokes.

I never would have guessed.

Mike is his best bud on the team - they get along great.

You think they have one big posse or two smaller ones that hang out every now and then?

 

[may3one]

About 7-8 of the guys went out to Mr. Chows (?) in Manhattan after the Nets game for food and drinks. They try to get the rookies/young guys to pay, put they complain about being poor, so the vets often pick up the tab.

haha, reminds me of when Ron first came to the team and Mike took him out and tried to get a rookie to pay.

Mike is the "guy with the lampshade on his head" most of the time - team comedian - cracking guys up with imitations or jokes.

wow, i never would've guessed. he always seems so serious.

 

[piksi]

About 7-8 of the guys went out to Mr. Chows (?) in Manhattan after the Nets game for food and drinks. They try to get the rookies/young guys to pay, put they complain about being poor, so the vets often pick up the tab.

Apparently Hart is getting DNP -CD of the court too

I am wondering what those "exchange students" are doing ?

 

[BawLa]

We need to lure Bonzi back and have a 3 man rotation at the SG/SF spot.

 

[M10Bibby]

i would love to see mike being all funny..idn i cant help but laugh when i read that...i like how him and bonzi are good friends =)

 

[LMM]

mike is the type of guy who's very reserved when it comes to the public. when you become close to him, though, he has a very different side. i like that. i remember reading this article about him and team dime and his brother said something like "mike is a shy guy when you first meet him. but once you get to know him, he never shuts up."

also, just watching him during pregame, he often does weird funny things on the court. he'd attempt silly layups and talks a lot with his team mates. this year, i saw him balancing the ball at the back of his neck while his arms were in an "airplane position" (cause he's trying to balance himself). it's fun watching him. i wish he'd show his "funny side" more from time to time.

 

[MrBiggs]

i wish he'd show his "funny side" more from time to time.

Word. It was little things like that that Vlade Divac used to do to keep this team's off-court chemistry on key.

 

[Kings113]

Sounds good about Bonzi and his minutes/rotation spot. I think it'll be fine whatever happens.

 

[may3one]

also, just watching him during pregame, he often does weird funny things on the court. he'd attempt silly layups and talks a lot with his team mates. this year, i saw him balancing the ball at the back of his neck while his arms were in an "airplane position" (cause he's trying to balance himself). it's fun watching him. i wish he'd show his "funny side" more from time to time.

hehe, I'd love to see his funny side more often. I remember someone saying that during the pregame shootout, he was copying Kevin's shot and balls were flying everywhere.

 

[Bricklayer]

We need to lure Bonzi back and have a 3 man rotation at the SG/SF spot.

4 unfortunately with Cisco.

The luring will be the tough part. Hopefully Bonzi really does play the good teammate downt he strecth this year, but trying to convince him to return to a minutes crunch type situation with what may be the last major contract of his career...eh....

 

[AriesMar27]

i love his game but we should let him walk, sign house and draft a big man(6'11 min) if we cant trade thomas.... we need a back up center as well...

 

[Sacto=Slappo]

hehe, I'd love to see his funny side more often. I remember someone saying that during the pregame shootout, he was copying Kevin's shot and balls were flying everywhere.

LMAO. Now that's funny!

 

[Folsom Al]

I missed the ORIGINAL interview, but heard the replay this morning on my drive in to work.

I'm one of those 5:00am listeners .... I shot an email off to the guys this morning with my 2-cents for a name ... Five and Five-O (oh) at 5

Anyhow ... I really liked what Bonzi had to say ... good TEAM TALK and glad to hear they're finally having some fun together. FP emphasized on the comrauderie and chemistry having alot to do with TEAM GROWTH.

Yeah, I cracked-up when FP asked "Who wears the lampshade" .... I thought for sure it would've been Bonzi himself ... but, I can see Mike filling that bill.

I also liked what he had to say about Kevin and how he's progressed and it doesn't bother him that he comes in off the bench.

I don't know about how some of you feel, but we've gotta find a way to keep Bonzi - IMO

 

[M10Bibby]

i agree...i really like bonzi and think he is a good fit for this team

 

[Diabeticwonder]

i love his game but we should let him walk, sign house and draft a big man(6'11 min) if we cant trade thomas.... we need a back up center as well...

Eddie House? I believe he's locked up for next year with PHX....at about half of what Hart makes.

 

[playmaker0017]

He has not problem coming off the bench (at least for now - I think he mentioned at least 5 games or so) because he and Rick talked about it and they want to work him back in slowly (20 minutes or so a game for now) after what happened last time, which Rick apologized for (too many minutes).

Whatever Rick asks, Bonzi will do - team guy, wants the team to win.

Bonzi, Bonzi, Bonzi ...

It's what they always say - he'll smile to the camera when things seem to be going his way and then turn on a dime.

I figure if we go into the playoffs and Bonzi is on the bench still - then we'll be in for a bumpy ride.

 

[SacKings384]

I'm worried about one thing and one thing only. Contract year... Now I'm not saying that Bonzi wasn't a good player before this year, but right now Bonzis game is pure hustle and strength. That's something that can only be accomplished with effort. And even though I really like Bonzi, you have to somewhat question how he is all of a sudden a solid citizen in his contract year. I think it's going to be hard to bring him back, because I don't think the Kings are willing to pay him the type of money he's going to demand especially with Martin and Cisco on their way up. Plus, I find it hard to believe that Bonzi is willing to come off the bench for the majority of the rest of his career.

 

[playmaker0017]

Plus, I find it hard to believe that Bonzi is willing to come off the bench for the majority of the rest of his career.

Nor should he.

He's a capable starter and on a level that he can/should start for a lot of teams.

The Kings might be smart to ship off Bonzi/Reef as a package. Reef is going to be cool through the rest of this year off the bench, but won't stand for it next year. Bonzi might be in the same boat, although I doubt he'll be cool sitting the next 20 games.

The Kings should be able to net something decent with that package.

 

[thesanityannex]

I'd like to see Bonzi stay. At least for another year. Get some sort of contract lined up and have Martin come off the bench for one more year. If this can't be worked out, either Bonzi/Reef or Bonzi/Thomas for a PF. I'd prefer the Latter.

 

[playmaker0017]

If this can't be worked out, either Bonzi/Reef or Bonzi/Thomas for a PF. I'd prefer the Latter.

I don't see any team that would "prefer" the latter though and I can't see Reef being complacent behind another PF.

Reef is a steal at his pricepoint. He's extremely talented and not too dang old. Bonzi is a question mark, but in that package, would be a great steal.

The Thomas deal - I just don't know who would want a high-price dollar primadonna that's really 3 inches too short coupled with a guy with bad PR?

 

[DaMan]

I see wells and shareef as the jamison in mavs type of player, a starter off the bench. If your not going to start them might as well trade them, having that much talent and not using it would be wrong. And we can get alot of talent back if we do trade them. And seeing what happened in the past with shareef and wells coming off the bench, when it hits the off season I don't think they would stand for it any longer.

 

[thesanityannex]

I don't see any team that would "prefer" the latter though and I can't see Reef being complacent behind another PF.

Reef is a steal at his pricepoint. He's extremely talented and not too dang old. Bonzi is a question mark, but in that package, would be a great steal.

The Thomas deal - I just don't know who would want a high-price dollar primadonna that's really 3 inches too short coupled with a guy with bad PR?

Thomas could help many teams lacking any sort of PF. He may be small, but hey, the dude grabs more rebounds than SAR. Yes Reef is a steal, but he, along with Bonzi, are both turning 30 this year. Pretty dang old and this is the time the body goes on the decline. Thomas and Reef are both walking the line of starter/6th man on any team they'd be traded to. I really don't care which one is traded, as long as it makes this team set at the 4.

 

[Rowdyone]

I think when it comes to trades most teams don't want a lot of salary back so it's tough to trade two vets like Thomas and Bonzi together, more like one of them and a youngster...Martin, Garcia, Molina. But I hope we at least do a S&T if Bonzi leaves so the loss of BJax wasn't just effectively a salary dump.

 

[playmaker0017]

Thomas could help many teams lacking any sort of PF. He may be small, but hey, the dude grabs more rebounds than SAR. Yes Reef is a steal, but he, along with Bonzi, are both turning 30 this year.

Isn't Thomas also turning 30? If not, he's right there with those two.

I'd rather Reef at 5MM than Thomas at his salary. I'm sure most GMs would agree.

I really don't care which one is traded, as long as it makes this team set at the 4.

I still stand by the fact that this team will be nothing more than a lottery team / first round exit team until they utilize a player that can use the post.

I know Artest is good down there, but he's not someone that can take that all year and be the go to option in the post. He's a secondary post option, at most.

Unless you get a KG - Miller is the one that I see as the biggest issue on the roster if you want to make it past the first round. Yes, you get the outside shooting, but you don't need that from a big man and for the most part ... don't want it.

He's a pathetic defender both in terms of effort and talent. He's abysmal in the paint.

If you get that "bruising" PF everyone seems to salivate over ... you don't get the offense you need from the post to be effective over a 7 game series.

If I were GM, and this is throwing out my love for Reef, my first move would be to replace Miller as my center. He's talented and can get a lot in return. He's PERFECT with the right pieces around him, but I don't think anyone is perfect other than KG.

 

[Kings113]

Eventually this season, I believe Bonzi will be back starting. It hasn't been said he is going to be on the bench now, just that he is on the bench to ease him back because Rick played him too many minutes the last time.

 

[Kings113]

KT - will be 29

SAR - will be 30

Bonzi - will be 30

I'd like to see us keep Bonzi, but if not sign a swingman like Rasual Butler/Jumaine/Jones/Matt Harpring/Matt Barnes/Greg Buckner (last two cheapest), or let Monia begin his NBA career.

 

[thesanityannex]

If I were GM, and this is throwing out my love for Reef, my first move would be to replace Miller as my center. He's talented and can get a lot in return. He's PERFECT with the right pieces around him, but I don't think anyone is perfect other than KG.

Miller must stay, he keeps Artest in check. Thomas and SAR are mediocre, Miller is not. Keep Miller, move him to the 4. Package both the 30 year olds Thomas/Reef for a "bruising" center. Miller has the pieces around him to compliment, he is just playing out of position.

 

[Rowdyone]

Miller must stay, he keeps Artest in check. Thomas and SAR are mediocre, Miller is not. Keep Miller, move him to the 4. Package both the 30 year olds Thomas/Reef for a "bruising" center. Miller has the pieces around him to compliment, he is just playing out of position.

If you think Brad's out of position now what will he be, defensively, at the 4? Most of the PF's in the league will blow right by him or shoot over. And isn't Potapenko a "bruiser" center? I think we keep Brad at the 5 and look for a defensive minded, shot blocking athletic 4 that has trouble scoring from more than 5" from the basket and doesn't demand the ball but has the quickness, athleticism and handles to play the pick and roll with Mike and can finish with throwdowns and able to guard other 4's out to the 3 Pt line. Let Brad stay where he is at the elbow, there's not a 5 in the league that has his range and % from that spot in particular...he need's to be there as an outlet for Bonzi/Ron when they take their smaller men down low and get doubled.

 

[playmaker0017]

Miller must stay, he keeps Artest in check.

Everyone says this - but there is no proof of this. Artest has never said it, intimated it ... nor has Miller.

Thomas and SAR are mediocre, Miller is not.

If you say so.

Miller plays on one end and has a unique skillset on that end. But, he's hardly a great player.

I can agree Thomas is mediocre, but Reef is not. At least both of them play on both ends of the court ... making them "complete" players.

Keep Miller, move him to the 4. Package both the 30 year olds Thomas/Reef for a "bruising" center. Miller has the pieces around him to compliment, he is just playing out of position.

Miller - at the 4? You're kidding right?

He'll get killed. He might have had a good stint in the past, but he's not fast enough or tough enough to guard what is arguably the toughest position in the NBA.