<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Healthy McGrady pushing for Rockets to get WellsNEW YORK -- Tracy McGrady said Wednesday he feels 100 percent health-wise and is pushing hard to get Bonzi Wells to come to Houston. Wells' new agent, Merle Scott, said he expected Wells to make a decision by Friday. The Rockets, Nuggets, Heat and Bobcats are the leading interested teams, but the Rockets have an edge because of what they can offer both Wells and his old team, the Sacramento Kings. While the Heat and Nuggets are right up against the luxury tax and thus would only acquire Wells through a sign-and-trade for another player, Houston could offer a sign-and-trade for a second-round pick and a trade exception worth $4.2 million left over from the deal that sent Moochie Norris to the Hornets last season. The Kings have said they do not want to take back additional salary that would put them above the luxury-tax threshold, and getting even a little something for Wells would be better than getting nothing. McGrady hinted that he had pressed his pitch to Wells as recently as Wednesday morning, and said a decision from the nine-year veteran seemed imminent. If the Rockets couldn't find a way to do a sign-and-trade with the Kings under which they'd give Wells a $4.1 million starting salary, Houston could still offer Wells the remaining $2.1 million of its mid-level exception. Either way, the Rockets would stay below the tax threshold. Wells will have to swallow hard in signing whatever deal he takes after turning down a five-year, $36 million offer earlier this summer to remain with Sacramento after averaging 23.2 points for the Kings in the playoffs. The Bobcats could offer Wells the most money as they're nearly $14 million under the cap and still must spend more than $1.1 million to reach the league-mandated minimum payroll, but it's unclear how genuine their interest is in Wells. It was not a promising sign last week when Wells traveled to Charlotte to meet with Bobcats team officials but Michael Jordan did not attend, preferring to stay in Ireland where he attended the Ryder Cup. And if it came down to Wells having to choose between a $4.1 million offer (forthcoming) from Houston and a slightly higher offer from Charlotte (if one is even forth), McGrady's jawing in Wells' ear could tip the scales. "We're really good friends. I was with Bonzi this offseason, was talking to him, and Houston's a place he's real interested in. He's a grown man, he's been in this league for a long time, and the decision will really come down to him," McGrady said. "I'm sure [the Rockets] want him. What he did in the postseason this year, it was eye-catching. I've been trying to make that work because I think Bonzi would be a great addition to our team to add more depth as far as matching up against teams like Phoenix, Dallas and San Antonio." Regarding his health, McGrady said his back is feeling fine following an offseason that included his marriage to longtime girlfriend and mother of his two children, Clerenda, and included a tour of Hong Kong, the Philippines, Korea and China for Reebok. He said he was eager to seek redemption after injuries and personal problems forced him to miss 35 games, including Houston's final 20. "I'm healthy, I feel good. Everything is really going the way I expected it to go this offseason, especially coming off that frustrating season," McGrady told Insider. "I've been dealing with it [chronic back pain] for six years now, and it's really not a major problem. Last year it was a major problem because I was dealing with so much with the team, the death of my wife's mom, my issues. I had worked so hard in the offseason, I had a great preseason, probably the best preseason I ever had, and for my back to go out like that right after the first [regular season] game, I was stressed. And I think stress goes to the weakest part of your body, and my back at the time was the weakest part of my body. It hindered me throughout the whole season, and I could never get healthy. "But I'm stress free, I'm feeling good, I worked extremely hard, got on a strict diet and I've never felt better," McGrady said. "Without a doubt, I'm 100 percent. Without a doubt."</div> LinkWould Signing Wells make Houston a legit threat in the West?I'll post my take later.
They are already a legit threat if there big 2 are healthy for the entire season. This would obviously make them better...so sure.
if bonzi were a good pg, then yeah. I don't see how signing bonzi wells would change anything, considering 2 of their top 3 are wing players anyways.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>if bonzi were a good pg, then yeah. I don't see how signing bonzi wells would change anything, considering 2 of their top 3 are wing players anyways.</div> Easy, Bonzi's skills and strengths would allow the Rockets to play a small starting lineup. Which would make sense as Van Gundy has already stated that Battier will see time at the 4. Signing Bonzi only legitimizes that claim and with Bonzi's strength of rebounding and post up, it works out fine. Doesn't hurt that the league is going small as well and they have Yao Ming at center. A lineup of: Pg: AlstonSg: WellsSf: McGradyPf: BattierC: Ming Would be a legit threat in the West.
They would be a legit threat but I don't see them in the league of San Antonio, Dallas, or Phoenix. Just slightly underneath that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Sep 27 2006, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They would be a legit threat but I don't see them in the league of San Antonio, Dallas, or Phoenix. Just slightly underneath that.</div>I agree. Those 3 teams are on another level I think. I think that if Houston is 100 percent healthy, them and the clips will battle it out for the 4th spot in the west.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Wells agrees to two-year deal with RocketsA source close to Bonzi Wells tells ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that Wells has agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with the Rockets. The deal includes a player opt-out after the first year. Tracy McGrady had been lobbying for the Rockets to complete the deal and bring Wells to Houston. The Rockets, Nuggets, Heat and Bobcats were the leading interested teams, but the Rockets had an edge because of what they can offer both Wells and his old team, the Sacramento Kings. McGrady hinted that he had pressed his pitch to Wells as recently as Wednesday morning, and said a decision from the nine-year veteran seemed imminent. Wells turned down a five-year, $36 million offer earlier this summer to remain with Sacramento after averaging 23.2 points for the Kings in the playoffs.</div> LinkWell it looks like Wells is going to sign here. The Southwest Division just keeps getting better and better.
IF T-Mac, Yao, Bonzi and the rest are healthy....I feel they are right up there with Dallas, SA and Phoenix. Maybe not better, but this addition was huge. Gives them another very good rebounder and reliable scorer, and we now have that X-Factor they have been missing. Also makes them more athletic and a bit younger. I also love this addition as it allows Juwan to become a dangerous 6th man, and just balances out the team very well.PS- Will Bob Sure be ready for the season? If so, that makes the team that much better...
I think this is a good addition for Houston. They get a good veteran who can score and rebound really well. Wells will definitely help Houston out a lot and if he, Yao and T-Mac stay healthy during the season, they will be a huge threat to other teams.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>PS- Will Bob Sure be ready for the season? If so, that makes the team that much better...</div>Last I heard, he's scrimmaging with the other players, so I think he's ready for the season.
The rockets were already a legit threat with TMac and Yao and Alston healthy.. if they can stay healthy... big if... and we added battier and bonzi.. yes we are a legit thread
McGrady will be fine, and Yaos never had injury problems, he had his surgery so hes good to go, lets BLAST OFF lol.
