Unfortunately it often comes down to Kevin vs Bonzi for many, with the most excited Kevin backers wanting to denigrate the guy ahead of him. In which case BTW Bonzi >> Kevin, at least for the time being. Kevin averaged 13pts 5rebs on 41% shooting in the series, Bonzi 23pts 12rebs on 61% shooting. NO comparison. That was just about the toughest opponent you can, or will face, and Kevin was solid, which is a good sing for his future. Meanwhile Bonzi was the best player on the court, bar none.
Bonzi Wells COULD start on a title team. And its not about "he would start for x team". The "x teams" of the moment are just teams of the moment. And starting OGs or SFs for title contenders over the years have come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. Some are stars, some are roleplayers. The reason he could start is not his ability (itself very much in line with anybody short of the star level players), it is his attitude and focus. Title teams are built on boardwork, defense, hustle, and interior domination. They are also fearless. All of the above describes the Bonzi package to a T. And the best part is that he can bring all those things REGARDLESS of what the team looks like around him. Hustle, boardwork, garbage plays and banging are completely stackable. The more the merrier. If you have 12 players who provide those things you are better than having only 11. Its not like pretty boy scorers, where you can only have so many of them before it gets counterproductive because there is only one ball and a limited number of shots to go around. Titles are only rarely won by the most "talented" team in top to bottom talent. They are won by teams stacked up with Bonzi Wells's -- guys who do all the little things, don't back down, frustrate you, beat on you. You still need a Great player to make it all work. Bonzi does not win the title by himself. But he is absolutely the sort of player you see on winner after winner. And combine him with Artest and you have a great start on a core of scrappy winners. Guys who pile up extra possessions for you, who other teams have to always gameplan around.
As an aside, this "contract year" nuttiness has to stop. Outside of this amazing series, where the important lesson was that Bonzi was not backing down from anybody, not that he was a 20-10 player, Bonzi's performance this year has NOT been out of line for Bonzi Wells. His rebounding was up, which was amazing and likely a response, a response you LOVE, of him looking around and figuring out how he could help. But he's always been one of the best OG rebounders. Meanwhile he shot .463. He's a .464 career shooter. He averaged 13pts. His career average is 13pts (in fewer minutes). His steals were slightly elevated, but only slightly if you take into account the extra minutes he played. This was very much Bonzi Wells. Only a more mature Bonzi Wells. The game wasn't magically elevated. It was just suddenly part of something. Normally the contract year phenomenon revolves around putting up bigger numbers for oneself. Bonzi on the other hand did the exact opposite -- became a better teammate. Grew up. Really left his heart out there on the court for us, and appeared in all ways to not only be a solid citzen, but a very good teammate, even when he was benched there for a while.
I do however, really wonder how far along we would have been if we kept Webber and how he would have done with Bonzi and Artest...also SAR off the bench??? But how many of those transactions are made with Webber still on the team...not many I suppose, but it's sure nice to think about it. Vlade was our true dominant big guy Center that we need again, we either keep Brad and move him to PF alongside a big Center or move him and start SAR PF or have him come off the bench. We are almost there, we just need the final 1-3 pieces and we have a great teams for years to come.
