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**Dean the Master** · 12-13-2006, 05:32 PM

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HOUSTON -- Bonzi Wells didn't bother evaluating his cameo appearance in Tuesday's setback to the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was just glad to be on the court for the first time in over a month.

"I'm happy to be out there and I'm glad Coach (Jeff Van Gundy) gave me my jersey back," Wells said. "I missed the guys. I miss the camaraderie. I'm just glad to be back."

Wells will likely be on the court again Thursday night when the Rockets begin a five-game road trip against the Golden State Warriors. Tip time is slated for 9:30 p.m.

After spending the past month working on his conditioning and getting on the same page with Van Gundy, the Rockets swingman returned to the lineup Tuesday for the first time since Nov. 5.

How did Wells fare in his return?

Well, he obviously wasn't in midseason form. He finished with zero points, no shot attempts, two rebounds, an assist and three fouls.

Wells acknowledged after Tuesday's game that he is still working himself back into playing shape.

"It was only (six) minutes (of playing time), so I don't really know," Wells said. "Hopefully, I can get some practice days under my belt.
Once I get some games under my belt, hopefully I can get my rhythm back and do some good things for the team."

Since signing the ninth-year veteran just before the start of training camp, the Rockets have been hoping that Wells could emerge as a third scoring option alongside Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

Wells, however, ended up missing a hefty portion of training camp because of injuries and personal matters before eventually finding himself on Houston's inactive list.

Despite the slow start to his time in Houston, Wells still believes he can play a vital role for the Rockets.

Wells' scoring ability could certainly help since the Rockets are missing McGrady, who is out indefinitely with back spasms.

"I can play the game, definitely," Wells said. "I want to be out there and be a part of it. I don't want to be just one of the guys out there on the court. I want to be out there scoring and playing defense. I want to be out there doing what I do. I know Coach (Van Gundy) is going to give me the opportunity -- I just have to take advantage of it."

Battier, who played a season with Wells in Memphis, said the swingman could eventually help the team.

"Obviously, Bonzi has a lot of catching up to do," Battier said. "He has to learn the plays and has to learn what our team does. We're playing well right now and it will be on him to catch up. He can do it. If we can integrate him into our offense, we'll be a much deeper team."

Searching for someone to compliment Yao on the offensive end and match the Lakers' size, Van Gundy turned to Wells to start the second half of Tuesday's game.

The Rockets reserve had an impressive no-look pass to Yao for an easy dunk, but his first game in a month wasn't exactly smooth. He had the ball taken away from him on the only pass that he caught in the post.

Wells is still optimistic, however, that everything will work out.

"I'm not an individual-type-of-goal-oriented player," Wells said. "I've been in the league for so long, I just want to win a championship and that's what I came here for. We've got the pieces in here, barring injury, and, hopefully, we can do it."

This is a positive thing for our team. If Wells can live up to the expectation. We will be unstoppable. Nice.

TracywtFacy · 12-13-2006, 06:37 PM

great to see bonzi back. who knows what's happened behind the scenes, but atleast he will be able to plug atleast a little of the hole that tmac's absence leaves... really need him to get his *** into gear in double quick time and start bringing home the W's

btw when's kirk snyder due back?

**HayesFan** · 12-13-2006, 07:35 PM

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Originally Posted by TracywtFacy

great to see bonzi back. who knows what's happened behind the scenes, but atleast he will be able to plug atleast a little of the hole that tmac's absence leaves... really need him to get his *** into gear in double quick time and start bringing home the W's

btw when's kirk snyder due back?

Not until mid-January I believe.

I need them to give us a Sura update again too.

I honestly think Bonzi now has his head on straight. My guess is he was asked to leave the facility when he made the comment to the press about running a marathon, merely because Jeff used that as a "point" in his quotes.

But Bonzi is saying the right things now and I hope he gets his game legs back fast. And I hope someone is drilling him on the offensive and defensive sets on the plane. Maybe they have a dry erase board. "Okay, where do you go next" I can totally see Batt walking him through the plays over and over again.

Come on Rox, start pulling it all together now

Kapitalistsvin · 12-14-2006, 01:19 AM

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I honestly think Bonzi now has his head on straight.

That's pretty funny... he never ever had. Sometimes teams just got lucky, sometimes he has been able to ignore the voices in his head. But really having the whole head on straight? Never happened, never will happen... but lets hope he can contain his twistedness a little.

He still could be a tremendous fit for this team.

**Mr. Predictable** · 12-14-2006, 01:29 AM

He may be back, but he still looks like he's in pre-training camp shape.

**HayesFan** · 12-14-2006, 06:40 AM

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Originally Posted by Kapitalistsvin

That's pretty funny... he never ever had. Sometimes teams just got lucky, sometimes he has been able to ignore the voices in his head. But really having the whole head on straight? Never happened, never will happen... but lets hope he can contain his twistedness a little.

Okay then I edit that line... it sounds like Bonzi is behaving more maturely than he was at the beginning of the season!

Better?

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