Fit to be a King..another Bonzi article!

NBAGURU · 07-29-2005, 09:27 AM

http://www.hoopshype.com/rumors.htm

Fit to be King

By PHIL BEEBE
pbeebe@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE - For four days, Bonzi Wells and the staff of his annual summer camp did what they could to make about 100 kids feel like kings - or queens - for a day.

It's the least Wells could do, considering he's now a King. A Sacramento King, that is.

The Muncie native and veteran NBA player wrapped up the Bonzi Wells Youth Basketball Camp on Thursday, handing out trophies and handshakes to all campers and special awards to four.

"It's really fun," said Northside sixth-grader Tyler Burns, who won the Bill Harrell Sportsmanship Award. "I like the stations. They have stations for shooting, defense, one-on-one, stations that can help almost anyone."

Burns admitted one of the highlights of the week was getting to meet Wells, who will be traded next week from the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies to Sacramento.

"He gave me a nickname," Burns said. "T-Money."

Other award winners were Jamie Drummer, MVP; Dan Clevenger, Hot Shot; and Dyshaun Elliott, Knockout.

Burns thought he was chosen for the sportsmanship award because of his supportive attitude.

"I clap for everyone," he said. "And if anyone falls, I help them back up."

Wells encouraged

Wells liked what he saw from the four six-hour days.

"The kids are having a great time, and that's what it's all about," he said. "And the parents are happy, too, because the kids are probably going to sleep at 7."

The camp is for fourth- through ninth-graders. This is the seventh year for it, although the format was changed last year, charging a $125 fee and moving from McCulloch Park to Central High School.

"Some of these kids were terrible last year, but this year they've got a good shot," Wells said of the kids' improvement. "You can tell they've really been working on their game.

"I'm just giving my own personal touch. I'm kind of the free-lance guy, floating around giving kids one-on-one work. I can show them by example."

Trade official soon

Wells's camp is one of the last duties he will attend to as an official member of the Grizzlies. Wells will be traded to Sacramento as soon as the NBA's collective bargaining agreement is finalized. That was supposed to be today but has been delayed to early next week.

Wells will leave Muncie in the next few days to meet his new employer in Sacramento.

"It's very exciting," Wells said. "It ended kind of bad in Memphis, but Jerry West didn't do me dirty. They could have traded me anywhere, but they made peace with me. It's all business, and I never took it personally."

Wells was removed from the Grizzlies' team last year during the playoffs, and coach Mike Fratello never offered an explanation.

Contract year

Memphis had an option for one more year on Wells's contract and had to exercise that option to make this trade. That puts Wells in the final year of a contract in Sacramento, meaning his play in the 2005-06 season will largely determine the value of his next contract.

Had Memphis not exercised the option, Wells would have become an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team without the Grizzlies receiving compensation.

Wells will make $8 million this season.

In Sacramento, Wells will have every opportunity to start at shooting guard, with 2004-05 starter Cuttino Mobley signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Wells will find a couple of familiar faces in Sacramento. Fellow Hoosier Brad Miller is the team's center, and Kings players Mike Bibby and Brian Skinner were drafted in 1998 with Wells. Bibby went second overall, Wells 11th and Skinner 22nd.

Kings assistant coach Elston Turner was an assistant coach in Portland when Wells played there.

Wells has career NBA averages of 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in seven seasons, mostly in Portland.

Last season, he averaged 10.4 points per game as a reserve for the Grizzlies.

Contact sports editor Phil Beebe at 213-5810.

Packt · 07-29-2005, 10:27 AM

This answers something I've been wondering about. With his bad rep, would anyone send their kids to his basketball camp, if he had one? Good to know.

Andriod_KiNg · 07-29-2005, 01:42 PM

Found a Picture of the camp, looks like a Kings Shirt

sono · 07-29-2005, 01:56 PM

he's not Jackson. His bad reputation's nothing to do with kids I think.

Bricklayer · 07-29-2005, 02:16 PM

I like the part where they try to ind connections betwen him and fellow Kings -- best they could come up with is that he and Brad are from the same state, and that he was drafted in the samew round as two of our guys.

KingsFan 3030 · 07-29-2005, 03:25 PM

yeah that shirt has the kings secondary crown logo on it. but instead of the "SK" it has "BW".

captain bill · 07-29-2005, 05:06 PM

That camp has got to do wonders for his ego.

Wuster · 07-29-2005, 05:09 PM

Wells has a big ego, that's for sure... As Bjax said on KHTK the other day, Bonzi's biggest problems are his attitude and that he's basically a 1:1 player and may have problems fitting into the Kings system.

Any NBA player can do a summer camp...

Kings113 · 07-29-2005, 05:13 PM

Bonzi's gonna be real good for us.

SacTownKid · 07-29-2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingsFan 3030

yeah that shirt has the kings secondary crown logo on it. but instead of the "SK" it has "BW".

I wonder how he got that shirt made. Looks pretty cool! I want one!

iheartBrad · 07-30-2005, 07:20 AM

"The kids are having a great time, and that's what it's all about," he said. "And the parents are happy, too, because the kids are probably going to sleep at 7."

This line cracks me up cuz I know (if I were a parent) thats what I would be looking forward to...hehehe

slugking50 · 07-31-2005, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packt

This answers something I've been wondering about. With his bad rep, would anyone send their kids to his basketball camp, if he had one? Good to know.

Well people send their kids to Micheal Jacksons house so.......

07-29-2005, 09:27 AM	#1
NBAGURU Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 165	Fit to be a King..another Bonzi article! http://www.hoopshype.com/rumors.htm Fit to be King By PHIL BEEBE pbeebe@muncie.gannett.com MUNCIE - For four days, Bonzi Wells and the staff of his annual summer camp did what they could to make about 100 kids feel like kings - or queens - for a day. It's the least Wells could do, considering he's now a King. A Sacramento King, that is. The Muncie native and veteran NBA player wrapped up the Bonzi Wells Youth Basketball Camp on Thursday, handing out trophies and handshakes to all campers and special awards to four. "It's really fun," said Northside sixth-grader Tyler Burns, who won the Bill Harrell Sportsmanship Award. "I like the stations. They have stations for shooting, defense, one-on-one, stations that can help almost anyone." Burns admitted one of the highlights of the week was getting to meet Wells, who will be traded next week from the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies to Sacramento. "He gave me a nickname," Burns said. "T-Money." Other award winners were Jamie Drummer, MVP; Dan Clevenger, Hot Shot; and Dyshaun Elliott, Knockout. Burns thought he was chosen for the sportsmanship award because of his supportive attitude. "I clap for everyone," he said. "And if anyone falls, I help them back up." Wells encouraged Wells liked what he saw from the four six-hour days. "The kids are having a great time, and that's what it's all about," he said. "And the parents are happy, too, because the kids are probably going to sleep at 7." The camp is for fourth- through ninth-graders. This is the seventh year for it, although the format was changed last year, charging a $125 fee and moving from McCulloch Park to Central High School. "Some of these kids were terrible last year, but this year they've got a good shot," Wells said of the kids' improvement. "You can tell they've really been working on their game. "I'm just giving my own personal touch. I'm kind of the free-lance guy, floating around giving kids one-on-one work. I can show them by example." Trade official soon Wells's camp is one of the last duties he will attend to as an official member of the Grizzlies. Wells will be traded to Sacramento as soon as the NBA's collective bargaining agreement is finalized. That was supposed to be today but has been delayed to early next week. Wells will leave Muncie in the next few days to meet his new employer in Sacramento. "It's very exciting," Wells said. "It ended kind of bad in Memphis, but Jerry West didn't do me dirty. They could have traded me anywhere, but they made peace with me. It's all business, and I never took it personally." Wells was removed from the Grizzlies' team last year during the playoffs, and coach Mike Fratello never offered an explanation. Contract year Memphis had an option for one more year on Wells's contract and had to exercise that option to make this trade. That puts Wells in the final year of a contract in Sacramento, meaning his play in the 2005-06 season will largely determine the value of his next contract. Had Memphis not exercised the option, Wells would have become an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team without the Grizzlies receiving compensation. Wells will make $8 million this season. In Sacramento, Wells will have every opportunity to start at shooting guard, with 2004-05 starter Cuttino Mobley signing with the Los Angeles Clippers. Wells will find a couple of familiar faces in Sacramento. Fellow Hoosier Brad Miller is the team's center, and Kings players Mike Bibby and Brian Skinner were drafted in 1998 with Wells. Bibby went second overall, Wells 11th and Skinner 22nd. Kings assistant coach Elston Turner was an assistant coach in Portland when Wells played there. Wells has career NBA averages of 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in seven seasons, mostly in Portland. Last season, he averaged 10.4 points per game as a reserve for the Grizzlies. Contact sports editor Phil Beebe at 213-5810. __________________ FEEL THE ROAR............BIBBY'S ROAR! rrrrrRRROOOOAAARRRRR!!

07-29-2005, 01:42 PM	#3
Andriod_KiNg Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cali Posts: 3,009	Found a Picture of the camp, looks like a Kings Shirt __________________

07-29-2005, 02:16 PM	#5
Bricklayer Don't Make Me Use The Bat Contributor Moderator Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 22,940	I like the part where they try to ind connections betwen him and fellow Kings -- best they could come up with is that he and Brad are from the same state, and that he was drafted in the samew round as two of our guys. __________________ "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -- Arthur Schopenhauer "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities." --Albert Einstein

07-30-2005, 07:20 AM	#11
iheartBrad iheartmyKINGS Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: CT Posts: 5,517	"The kids are having a great time, and that's what it's all about," he said. "And the parents are happy, too, because the kids are probably going to sleep at 7." This line cracks me up cuz I know (if I were a parent) thats what I would be looking forward to...hehehe __________________ Avatar by MBgirl10 iheartmyKINGS no matter what

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07-29-2005, 10:27 AM	#2
Packt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,170	This answers something I've been wondering about. With his bad rep, would anyone send their kids to his basketball camp, if he had one? Good to know.

07-29-2005, 01:56 PM	#4
sono Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 466	he's not Jackson. His bad reputation's nothing to do with kids I think.

07-29-2005, 03:25 PM	#6
KingsFan 3030 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 36	yeah that shirt has the kings secondary crown logo on it. but instead of the "SK" it has "BW".

07-29-2005, 05:06 PM	#7
captain bill Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,719	That camp has got to do wonders for his ego.

07-29-2005, 05:09 PM	#8
Wuster Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Foothills of the Sierras Posts: 955	Wells has a big ego, that's for sure... As Bjax said on KHTK the other day, Bonzi's biggest problems are his attitude and that he's basically a 1:1 player and may have problems fitting into the Kings system. Any NBA player can do a summer camp...

07-29-2005, 05:13 PM	#9
Kings113 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8,734	Bonzi's gonna be real good for us.