Bonzi Wells

[Bankshot]

Was released by his Chinese team.  Should the Celtics have any interest in him?

China basketball club sacks NBA import

Agence France-Presse | 02/02/2009 4:06 PM

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BEIJING - Chinese basketball team Shanxi Zhongyu has sacked superstar import Bonzi Wells after the former NBA bad boy failed to return from a holiday in his native United States, his club said Monday.

Wells, 32, dubbed by the local media the best player to have ever graced the Chinese Basketball Association after joining Zhongyu in December, had his contract terminated late last week, an employee at the club told AFP.

"He should have come back to the club on January 30, but he did not," said the man, who declined to be named.

According to a statement posted on Zhongyu's website over the weekend, Wells -- who was dogged by troublesome on-court behaviour and run-ins with coaches during his 10-year NBA career -- went home for a holiday last month.

He was meant to come back on January 27, but asked for a two-day extension to "attend to some personal matters," the statement said.

On January 29, he asked for another extension, which the club agreed to as long as he came back in time for a weekend match.

Wells, however, still failed to return, prompting the cancellation of his one-year contract.

"After friendly talks between the club and Wells and his agents, we unanimously agreed to terminate the contract," the statement said.

Wells admitted in earlier comments to finding it difficult in China, despite averaging 34 points in his 14 games with Zhongyu.

"It was a big cultural shock to me for the first few weeks," he said.

"Since I have been here it has been all business and I haven't had any fun yet, so I am looking for some fun."

Wells had helped lift Zhongyu, who finished last in season 2007-2008, into the top half of the CBA league.

But, in an ominous sign, they got thumped 89-110 by 10th-placed Changchun on Sunday without Wells.

Apart from playing for the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States, Wells is famous in China because he played alongside the nation's iconic centre Yao Ming with the Houston Rockets.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/02/09/china-basketball-club-sacks-nba-import

[SShorefan 4.0]

he was dominating over in China, but I think the Celts really need a true 1 or 5/4 if they are going to repeat.  A 6'5 swing man is not the need of the Green.

[Toine43]

he was dominating over in China, but I think the Celts really need a true 1 or 5/4 if they are going to repeat.  A 6'5 swing man is not the need of the Green.

I disagree. Name one viable option (in the playoffs) that the Celtics have off the bench at the wing position. If you say Tony Allen, then I disagree again.

[cordobes]

He was fired by a team in the Chinese League. Their record after signing Wells was worse than the one they had previously. Waved by a team in the Chinese League, think about it. I prefer Tony Allen by far.

[SShorefan 4.0]

he was dominating over in China, but I think the Celts really need a true 1 or 5/4 if they are going to repeat.  A 6'5 swing man is not the need of the Green.

I disagree. Name one viable option (in the playoffs) that the Celtics have off the bench at the wing position. If you say Tony Allen, then I disagree again.

Name one viable option at point or center.  I think it's easier to hide the loss of 2 or 3 than it is a 1 or 5 in the playoffs.  (not diminishing the skills we have at 2 or 3, but merely highlighting the lack of back up at point and center.

[Champzilla]

I like you eddie house picture, nice job.

[pearljammer10]

Im on board for going after wells... He is a great scorer and a great...i mean great rebounder. Off the bench he would be a great scorer and defender who can play the wing position.

[EJPLAYA]

Im on board for going after wells... He is a great scorer and a great...i mean great rebounder. Off the bench he would be a great scorer and defender who can play the wing position.

He is also a great low post scorer and since we have trouble with that on our second unit he would provide us some additional scoring opportunity.

[RebusRankin]

He'd help the second unit.

[the_Bird]

The issue over the offseason, as I recall, was that GMs did not believe Bonzi was going to take a vet-minimum deal regardless of circumstances.  I think he's be an outstanding fit for this team; hard-nosed, good defense, plays bigger than he is.  He'd help stablize the second unit, and it's nice to have a guard who can post up to complement a shooter like Eddie House.  Much better fit for what this team needs than Starbury, I think.  He'd be able to give Pierce a bit more rest going into the playoffs.  

Bonzi's one downside is that he's a bit of a headcase, but you can deal with ONE headcase per team, especially with as many alpha veterans as we have.  I think he'd be fine.

The question is - would he be willing to come aboard at the minimum salary for a few months of glory?  He might be able to parlay a few good months into a better gig, either here or elsewhere, next season.  

[wdleehi]

I would be fine with the Celtics bringing in Bonzi.  Frees them up to trade TA.

[Toine43]

he was dominating over in China, but I think the Celts really need a true 1 or 5/4 if they are going to repeat.  A 6'5 swing man is not the need of the Green.

I disagree. Name one viable option (in the playoffs) that the Celtics have off the bench at the wing position. If you say Tony Allen, then I disagree again.

Name one viable option at point or center.  I think it's easier to hide the loss of 2 or 3 than it is a 1 or 5 in the playoffs.  (not diminishing the skills we have at 2 or 3, but merely highlighting the lack of back up at point and center.

We have the same 2 backup point guards on the roster that helped us win a championship last year. We don't have the same depth at the 3 position (or the 5).

[Change]

Released by a Chinese club that's low. I doubt he'd add much to our team besides negativity. Stilling hoping NYK releases Marbury.

[greg_kite]

It's not low because he wasn't released for his play, he was averaging 34 points and considered the "best player to have ever graced the Chinese Basketball Association".  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy living in China either.  I don't think you can blame him for not wanting to go back there.

I think he could be a huge help for this team.  The backup 3 has been a weakness of this team since Posey left.  If he's available why not go after him?  Sam is just a coach now anyway, release him and make him an assistant coach.

[BigAlTheFuture]

I think Bonzi Wells can help us off the bench. I say go after him.