Sports Guy on Bonzi Wells

[nbrans]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060505

Bonzi Wells. Ladies and gentleman, the first round isn't even over and we have a winner for the 2006 Jerome James Award! Wait a second, you're telling me that a talented, moody, up-and-down, overpaid NBA player waited until his third team and the last possible moment of his guaranteed contract to suddenly run amok in the playoffs and become the player everyone always thought he could be? You're kidding me! This never happens!


You know what? I'm totally sold. Toss out the last six years ... I'm only judging Bonzi by the last two weeks and that 24-12 he's putting up every game. There's no way it's a ruse! More importantly, where's my checkbook? I want to make Bonzi a five-year, $60 million offer that I'll regret in six months and I don't even own an NBA team.

 

[kingsnation]

Is Bonzi playing for a contract? Of course. But the difference in him and James is that Bonzi is doing it against the defending champs, and Jerome did it against, well, a front line of Miller, Skinner and Thomas.

 

[Padrino]

you don't re-sign bonzi because of 24 and 12 in the first round of the playoffs. you re-sign bonzi wells because he's a very good starter in this league who's strength is unmatched at his position. is kevin martin capable of being a solid starter in this league? probably...especially given more time to develop. but does it behoove the kings to shorten their bench further? no, it does not. you re-sign wells so that you continue to have a very solid SG rotation, with francisco garcia as the third, more flexible (swing) option. wells is a strong, hustle player who loves to bang in the middle. kevin martin is a quick, wiry, finesse player who has a pretty jump shot and an explosive first step. those are both assets worth keeping, and amount to a very versatile rotation at the SG.

 

[Fillmoe]

the difference between bonzi wells and jerome james is that bonzi has always been a decent/good player... jerome james was always garbage and he had one good series.....

 

[tyrant]

bonzi wells is playing like the player he was in portland. i have no idea what happened to him when he went to memphis. with kevin marting emerging, it would be smart of the kings to at least keep 1 of the 2. bonzi or artest. preferably both. but if one decided to sign somewhere else im ok with a backcourt of bibby,martin, artest. or bibby, martin, bonzi.

 

[nbrans]

you don't re-sign bonzi because of 24 and 12 in the first round of the playoffs. you re-sign bonzi wells because he's a very good starter in this league who's strength is unmatched at his position. is kevin martin capable of being a solid starter in this league? probably...especially given more time to develop. but does it behoove the kings to shorten their bench further? no, it does not. you re-sign wells so that you continue to have a very solid SG rotation, with francisco garcia as the third, more flexible (swing) option. wells is a strong, hustle player who loves to bang in the middle. kevin martin is a quick, wiry, finesse player who has a pretty jump shot and an explosive first step. those are both assets worth keeping, and amount to a very versatile rotation at the SG.

I agree, but I think Bonzi is playing so well and there are so few shooting guards in this free agent class that the choice isn't so much going to be whether or not to keep Bonzi, but whether or not to overpay Bonzi.

 

[Padrino]

I agree, but I think Bonzi is playing so well and there are so few shooting guards in this free agent class that the choice isn't so much going to be whether or not to keep Bonzi, but whether or not to overpay Bonzi.

eh...i agree in part...but "overpaying" bonzi isn't gonna be quite like "overpaying," say, chris webber. it won't kill the cap to sign bonzi to a lucrative contract. the money you'd spend on a guy like bonzi is already being spent, more or less, on guys like thomas, corliss, and potatohead. dump those 3 contracts and the kings are fine.

 

[DocHolliday]

There's a huge difference. Jerome James did it against a Kings team with weak interior D, and a center coming back from a leg break. Bonzi is doing it agains the defending world champs, and he's done it consistantly all year long.

 

[quick dog]

Bonzi Wells is, and has always been, 10 times the player that Jerome James is or was. Remember who Jerome James competed against. Bonzi has been shining against some the very best players in the NBA.

 

[nbrans]

eh...i agree in part...but "overpaying" bonzi isn't gonna be quite like "overpaying," say, chris webber. it won't kill the cap to sign bonzi to a lucrative contract. the money you'd spend on a guy like bonzi is already being spent, more or less, on guys like thomas, corliss, and potatohead. dump those 3 contracts and the kings are fine.

You. Me. After school. Personnel forum.

 

[Padrino]

You. Me. After school. Personnel forum.

lol

class is over for me, brother. i'm already there, and my posse's waiting.

 

[SacTownKid]

If anyone signs Bonzi Wells based on this performance they are making a mistake. But indeed, Bonzi is a very good player.

 

[Bricklayer]

Outside of as a straw man, I don't think I've seen anyone suggest paying Bonzi as a 24 and 12 guy. You pay him for what he is, and has always been.

That said, the 24 and 12 is AMAZING and incredibly instructive. There aren't but a handful of guys in the entire league who could average those numbers against this team, contract drive or not. SO you DO pay Bonzi Wells a little extra for being a competitive SOB with fire in his belly who can play at the highest levels against the best teams. He may not be 24 and 12, but you have indisputable evidence that he will not in any way back down from ANYBODY. Those guys are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Evenstar]

true bonzi is kicking butt this series, but he is NOT pulling a jerome james. bonzi is a nightmare matchup for the spurs and the kings are taking advantage of it. bruce bowen can't guard him. he's killed the spurs all year long

i'd call it bonzi owns the spurs more then he's the next jerome james.