Will Bonzi Wells be a thorn in the Spurs Side

[MoSpur]

Again??? Bonzi has been a matchup nightmare at times for the Spurs. We've tried Bowen on him and at times Bowen does a decent job, but Wells gets the upperhand most of the time.

Do you think Byron Scott will start Wells or keep bringing him off the bench? Will coach Pop put Udoka on him?

Give me some of your thoughts.

[xtremesteven33]

Bonzi Wells the player FORMERLY known as the spurs killer.....

hes not gonna be a factor in this series. hes not as good as he used to be.

[VoiceofReason]

I'm sure Byron plans to use Wellls a lot in this series. It will be from the bench. I remember Hubie Brown saying that at some point in the playoffs, Wells is going to be huge for the Hornets. Now's as good a time as any.

[FromWayDowntown]

UdokaLooms?

[MoSpur]

Wells always seems to look forward to playing the Spurs.

[oboymeetsogirl]

Wells moves well around the basket, so he's always given our bigs trouble. He'll make a terrific weapon off the bench for Scott. But in a way, Bonzi's thirst for the ball whenever he plays the Spurs may lead to the Hornets' undoing in a game or two because it will take the ball out of CP3, West's and Peja's hands, and those are the guys who got them to where they are today.

And this is why Thomas as well as Udoka were such a terrific acquisitions. Bonzi will get greedy, and the Spurs practically have to let him get greedier by conceding a few baskets to him. Then I see Thomas and/or Udoka (with Timmy lingering behind) shutting the door on Wells. Meanwhile, the Hornets will be slightly out of synch.

By now we all know the way Pop thinks. In previous years he would let Amare Stoudemire go crazy just to minimize the damage from Nash and the Suns' three point shooters. This year he let Diaw do his thing, and forced Shaq to shoot foul shots. Anything to throw the other team's top players a little off their rhythm.

This should be a fun series, watching the adjustments and chess matches between the coaches. Byron Scott is as smart as they come, but let's hope Pop and his staff prove better...

[MoSpur]

Its going to be very interesting. He went off on the Spurs in the Kings/Spurs series a few years ago.

[DarrinS]

Since he's put on poundage, I don't think he's quite the Spurs killer that he once was. That said, he still can't be ignored.


Bonzi, meet Mr. Udoka.

[King Ju I]

Too be honest he would have to really awaken to do that. Not saying that I dont think that he could do it but he hes been marginally good thus far not great. A much better option off the bench then we have previously had. I say he gives a good 8-10 per game. He'll be good not great. He and pargo will be good off of the bench for us.

[MoSpur]

I guess we'll have to see what Byron Scott does in game 1.

[Flux451]

I hope IMe can shut him down with a Thomas backing up in paint.
If not we may see Bonner getting some playing time.

I have to agree with Oboy. More pt for Bonzi means less for Peja.

[Indazone]

Bonzi Wells with Adleman would have been one thing because he plays a read and react offense. With the Hornets set offense, I'm not sure what the Bonz can do.

[MoSpur]

I'm not worried about Peja. Bowen usually does a fine job on him.

[hater]

Bowen is gonna have to guard CP3. Manu will be guarding Peja

[FromWayDowntown]

I do think that Spurs' fans fears of Bonzi exceed Hornets' fans expectations of Bonzi.

Still, Bonzi's First Round in 2006 lingers in the minds of Spurs fans:

6 games
248 minutes (41.3 mpg)
139 points (23.2 ppg)
53-87 FG (.609)
5-8 3PT (.625)
28-43 FT (.651)
25-47-72 Reb (12.0 rpg)

Game 2: 28 pts (12-17 FG), 12 reb.
Game 3: 19 pts, 14 reb. (10 offensive)
Game 4: 25 pts (9-11 FG), 17 reb.
Game 5: 38 pts (13-20 FG), 12 reb.
Game 6: 17 pts (6-9 FG), 11 reb.

[VoiceofReason]

As an aside, the wild card in this series may be Julian Wright. This could be his true "coming out" party. And I hope that doesn't mean "coming out" of the game if he fizzles. But this kid is very athletic, and he's going to be a good one.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I do think that Spurs' fans fears of Bonzi exceed Hornets' fans expectations of Bonzi.

Still, Bonzi's First Round in 2006 lingers in the minds of Spurs fans:

6 games
248 minutes (41.3 mpg)
139 points (23.2 ppg)
53-87 FG (.609)
5-8 3PT (.625)
28-43 FT (.651)
25-47-72 Reb (12.0 rpg)

Game 2: 28 pts (12-17 FG), 12 reb.
Game 3: 19 pts, 14 reb. (10 offensive)
Game 4: 25 pts (9-11 FG), 17 reb.
Game 5: 38 pts (13-20 FG), 12 reb.
Game 6: 17 pts (6-9 FG), 11 reb.

Bonzi was a beast in that series. I wanted the Spurs to go out and sign him after that until I realized that the only team in the league he tends to play that well against is us.


However I like Udoka on Bonzi, and I think even KT might be able to defend Bonzi a little bit.

[rAm]

Didn't he play really well against us in the regular season this year as well? I can't recall his exact numbers.

[JamStone]

I think Bonzi is still capable of making an impact if Byron Scott allows him to play more minutes. Bonzi still has athleticism and jumping ability. He is still explosive in spurts. And, with David West having a solid midrange game and Peja spreading the court, he has a lot of room to operate when he attacks the basket.

I'm sure Pop will be very aware of Bonzi when he's on the court.

[MoSpur]

His first game against us when he was in Houston was his biggest game. He scored 14pts and grabbed 15 rebounds. After that, he wasn't much of a factor.

[Indazone]

http://www.youtube.com/v/uca66cK-WrA&hl=en
I thought I'd just post the Kings/Spurs game just for grins ;)

Beware the Bonz!

[K-State Spur]

The additions of Thomas/Udoka + the extra weight Bonzi is carrying should prevent him from owning the boards like he did in that series.

As for his scoring, I am perfectly comfortable with him taking as many shots as he wants to in this series so long as they are not put-backs.

[Indazone]

Bonz isn't fat. He was the donut boy for Van Gundy but when he heard Adleman was coming he worked out hard and lost 35 lbs. The Bonz is still the Bonz.

[K-State Spur]

Bonz isn't fat. He was the donut boy for Van Gundy but when he heard Adleman was coming he worked out hard and lost 35 lbs. The Bonz is still the Bonz.

if that's the case, then age has already caught up to him. he certainly doesn't have the same bounce or quickness that he had 2 years ago.

[MoSpur]

I hope this thread isn't bumped after Saturday's game.

[JamStone]

if that's the case, then age has already caught up to him. he certainly doesn't have the same bounce or quickness that he had 2 years ago.


That sounds more like wishful thinking than statement of fact.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I hope this thread isn't bumped after Saturday's game.



Unless the Spurs win and Bonzi goes 0 for 4 or something like that.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Udoka has the appropiate build to counter him

[Harry Callahan]

It's weird. BW seems inconsistent at times. He tore us up in Sac Town during the 06 POs, but he doesn't seem like the same player now. He drifts.

[GinobiliLooms]

I'm not as concerned about Bonzi as I am Peja. Peja scares the shit out of me.

[MannyIsGod]

I fear Bonzi Wells in this series more than anyone not named West or Paul.

[MoSpur]

I'm not as concerned about Bonzi as I am Peja. Peja scares the shit out of me.


Peja is not that big a deal unless he goes off when Bowen goes to the bench.

[K-State Spur]

That sounds more like wishful thinking than statement of fact.

You obviously never saw him in Sacramento, or have never seen him this year. One of those two things is true to make that statement.

[K-State Spur]

I'm not as concerned about Bonzi as I am Peja. Peja scares the shit out of me.

Peja can be taken completely out of this series. Put Bowen on Peja and he'll have a terrible series.

The problem is if nobody else can remotely come close to slowing Paul down and we have to move Bowen to him for significant stretches.

[urunobili]

Bonzi Wells the player FORMERLY known as the spurs killer.....

hes not gonna be a factor in this series. hes not as good as he used to be.

+1

[boutons_]

Bonzi's a lazy balll SOB. Bad attitude.

Last time he played well, was in the playoffs SAC vs Spurs, his last games before contract renewal.

This season he got 9 and 3 in 20 mpg.

In the first round, he got 4 and 2 in 17 mpg.

Not a Spurs killer (never was). Scott doesn't play him much and gets very little in return. Pretty much how he got treated at HOU.

He's way down the list of Spurs priorities.

[JamStone]

Bonzi's a lazy balll SOB. Bad attitude.

Last time he played well, was in the playoffs SAC vs Spurs, his last games before contract renewal.

This season he got 9 and 3 in 20 mpg.

In the first round, he got 4 and 2 in 17 mpg.

Not a Spurs killer (never was). Scott doesn't play him much and gets very little in return. Pretty much how he got treated at HOU.

He's way down the list of Spurs priorities.

His current contract is up. He'll be looking for a new contract again.

I'm sure Byron Scott is aware that Bonzi has played well against the Spurs. He may very well get more minutes this series. I wouldn't be so quick to discount his possible impact on this series.

[VoiceofReason]

Bonzi's a lazy balll SOB. Bad attitude.

Last time he played well, was in the playoffs SAC vs Spurs, his last games before contract renewal.

This season he got 9 and 3 in 20 mpg.

In the first round, he got 4 and 2 in 17 mpg.

Not a Spurs killer (never was). Scott doesn't play him much and gets very little in return. Pretty much how he got treated at HOU.

He's way down the list of Spurs priorities.

I love posts like this. You know . . . the kind that come back to haunt the poster.

[MoSpur]

In 18 minutes, Wells had 10 pts and 4 rbs. His stat line doesn't jump out at you like David West or CP3. However, I think he had a great game against the Spurs. David West is the one to worry about most when we face the Hornets, but Bonzi Wells is still a guy that can have a great game against us. He was five of nine. Those five baskets were pretty easy.

Anyone worried or still too focused on West?

[boutons_]

yep, Bonzi hurt, very atypical. His hurt was amplified by Tim playing like his head and heart were hurt.

Otherwise, with Tim doing 25 and 12 like vs Suns, Bonzi would have been nothing but loser ankle-biter.

[jmard5]

Udoka.

[Budkin]

No, but he was a thorn in Bruce's face with the one handed choke takedown. Way to go Bonzi!

[MoSpur]

I can't believe he wasn't thrown out. I don't know the rule though.

[BRHornet45]

Bonzi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!