That is hardly the entire argument.
Resign Wells! The guy is only 29...everyone makes it seem he's 35 already. What other big time player do we have that can step up in the post-season? (other than #93)
Resign Wells! The guy is only 29...everyone makes it seem he's 35 already. What other big time player do we have that can step up in the post-season? (other than #93)
How about the entire argument for those interested in winning basketball games?
If Kevin Martin were to come back, with no Bonzi, start, and average 14pts 3rebs 2ast, that's nearly worst case scenario. We just took a BIG step back. Not only is our starter putting up weaker numbers across the board than our starter last year + showing no growth in his game, but we no longer have a top reserve behind him. The whole position gets downgraded from a solid B into a shaky C, and our rebounding, an area where we have no room for error, takes a giant body blow.
Bonzi was a tic below 14pts 8rebs 2stls last year, and in shortish minutes for a starter too (32). Make them 38 or whatever and that's something like 15pts 9rebs (!) 2+stl jsut for comparison.
In order to beat that sort of contribution your replacement had BETTER be able to rack up at LEAST 18+ppg or do something else pretty damn spectacular. And that's before we even get to the bench drop off once Bonzi is gone and his backup is now starting.
I don't think we know for sure why Bonzi isn't signed yet, but I don't think the hold-up is on the Kings' end.
Bonzi's agent, like all agents, wants to make sure he gets the very best deal possible for his client. And his client, seeing what other guys have gotten - thanks, New Orleans- has to be wanting to see just how much he's worth.
I think the Kings made a bona fide offer to Bonzi, probably not the highest they were actually willing to go but a good opening gambit. I think Phillips responded with a counter-offer that was most likely more than Petrie was willing to go. Now, I think Petrie - knowing the market - is waiting to see if Phillips will back off a bit.
I do think this is dragging on longer than Petrie likes and I fully expect at some point Petrie will say enough is enough and make an "expiring offer" that pretty much says either Bonzi accepts it or we say thanks for the memories. At that point, the onus will be on Bonzi to tell his agent to accept the Kings or he'll be looking at the MLE from another team.
I don't think we know for sure why Bonzi isn't signed yet, but I don't think the hold-up is on the Kings' end.
Bonzi's agent, like all agents, wants to make sure he gets the very best deal possible for his client. And his client, seeing what other guys have gotten - thanks, New Orleans- has to be wanting to see just how much he's worth.
I think the Kings made a bona fide offer to Bonzi, probably not the highest they were actually willing to go but a good opening gambit. I think Phillips responded with a counter-offer that was most likely more than Petrie was willing to go. Now, I think Petrie - knowing the market - is waiting to see if Phillips will back off a bit.
I do think this is dragging on longer than Petrie likes and I fully expect at some point Petrie will say enough is enough and make an "expiring offer" that pretty much says either Bonzi accepts it or we say thanks for the memories. At that point, the onus will be on Bonzi to tell his agent to accept the Kings or he'll be looking at the MLE from another team.
I'm in favor of bringing Bonzi back, but Walker60's right that this isn't the entire argument. Bonzi is a risk because of:
1) his behavior issues -- even if you think they're a thing of the past, Bonzi has spent the bulk of his career as a talented problem and one year as a model citizen.
2) his age -- as yo've pointed out he's not old, but he will be by the time the deal ends
3) peaking issues -- it's almost a certainty that we've seen the best Bonzi has to offer. It's downhill from here.
4) Kevin's development -- everyone who points out that Kevin can continue to develop as a 6th man. But that's not the same thing as being thrust into a starter's role where he will be compelled to produce on a nightly basis. Having a starter ahead of him will unquestionably hinder his development. Now, Kevin may not be someone who's ceiling is so high that he's the starting 2 on a championship-level team, but no one really knows at this point who he will be
Also his post-game, defense, toughness, never-die-attitude in him. Those things were great for the team as well.
I don't get why many (in general) are expecting he'll play like he did in the playoffs. He won't for obvious reasons. From the media stand-point, with Bonzi's contract situation, it's a dumb ignorant ploy to make concerns and questions. When, really, Bonzi's always been a good player.
Bonzi will play well like he always has excluding Memphis in 04-05 because of Fratello's idiocy and garbage. Bonzi is indeed a proven starter and quality SG in the league. He's a proven playoff player, remember those early 2000 Blazers teams playoff games? Especially against the Lakers? Remember the series against Dallas in 2003? Bonzi went off for 45 points in a game there. He played well in the Spurs series in the 2004 playoffs with the Grizzlies. Interesting stat in that 45-point game, Bonzi hit FIVE out of six threes.
Enough said.
He's always been a solid player, but he's had two standout seasons in both production overall and production per minute. 01-02 and 05-06. Those were his contract years.
Also, his career playoff stats are only slightly better than his career regular season stats. I admit though there's nothing wrong with having a solid guy who steps it up to being pretty darn good in the playoffs. But it's not like he's been a career-long playoff dominator.
none of this justifies letting him go, because kevin martin has certainly not proved much in the playoffs yet, and he's the guy you're asking to replace the hardest worker on the team last post season. i don't care if bonzi wells hasn't been a career long playoff dominator. he showed last post season exactly how effectively he can dominate, while we're entirely uncertain of kevin martin's ability to step into a starter's role full time, much less in the playoffs.
He's always been a solid player, but he's had two standout seasons in both production overall and production per minute. 01-02 and 05-06. Those were his contract years.
Also, his career playoff stats are only slightly better than his career regular season stats. I admit though there's nothing wrong with having a solid guy who steps it up to being pretty darn good in the playoffs. But it's not like he's been a career-long playoff dominator.
This is probably not very likely but what the heck. The Kings were reported to be in the running for Magloire. Let's say for whatever reason the exchange of Magloire for K. Thomas takes place. Back-up/starting center on paper is taken care of.I have to revert to something Bricklayer said in a post about 2 months ago. Kevin would be a good starter. Bonzi is a good starter. But with Kevin and Bonzi both on the same team with Artest the other swing, well my friends thats pushing greatness.
"Kevin Martin could one day be great but, he will never be as good as Kevin Martin + Bonzi Wells." (Bricklayer)
Point being if we don't sign wells then Kevin is our starter. So who is the backup for Kevin and Ron? Garcia? Ok i will give you that. maybe he is ready to be a solid backup getting 20 min a game not sure but, maybe. Now here is the kicker what if Ron or Kevin gets hurt and Garcia has to start?????? who is the backup now?? rookie Douby? some smuck we pick up with no where near the talent of Bonzi or Kevin or even Garcia for that matter. here it is plain and simple for the even the slowest of minds to comprihend.
Bonzi/K-Mart/Garcia/Douby
Ron/K-Mart/Garcia
That is called depth and it goes a long way if your coach wants to run an up tempo style offense and still be in your face pressing defense. that style depends on solid depth and with that group of 4 or 5 players not many in the league can get that quality and quantity on the same roster at the 2/3.
Point being if we don't sign wells then Kevin is our starter. So who is the backup for Kevin and Ron? Garcia? Ok i will give you that. maybe he is ready to be a solid backup getting 20 min a game not sure but, maybe. Now here is the kicker what if Ron or Kevin gets hurt and Garcia has to start?????? who is the backup now?? rookie Douby? some smuck we pick up with no where near the talent of Bonzi or Kevin or even Garcia for that matter. here it is plain and simple for the even the slowest of minds to comprihend.
Bonzi/K-Mart/Garcia/Douby
Ron/K-Mart/Garcia
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umm the Kings are looking at Trevor Ariza he would be that guy ... the back up... he started this year for the Knicks and showed that he could be a solid player ...RIGHT NOW... off the bench ... hes super young still and got alot of talent ... he could be a huge add... NOW and down the line as he also grows... if we lose Wells...