Houston, We Have A Problem?

Not really. It’s just one game. Just one bad game.

Is it just me, or does Bonzi Wells play like Charles Barkley against the Spurs?

Two years ago in the playoffs, when he was actually playing hard consistently in his contract year, Wells ripped the Spurs apart. Over 23 points per and 12 boards in a 6 game series loss. Last night against the Spurs, the man who had yet to eclipse 8 rebounds or 7 points in any single game this season, went for 14 points and 15 rebounds.

The most telling stat in this game: 25. That’s the number of offensive rebounds the Rockets had. The Spurs only had 4. Everything stems from here. The Spurs forced bad shots, played good defense (the Spurs out shot the Rockets 46 to 41%), and still lost by 8.

Even though it seemed like they were turning the ball over at an astronomical rate, they still had 6 less TO’s than Houston.

The issue is simple. Rebound. You want to let Yao get his? Fine. Even McGrady. Not Bonzi Wells.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again. Losing to the Rockets isn’t the worst thing in the whole world. Maybe it lights a fire under this team. Who knows. In the short term, we’ll find that out tonight against Miami, won’t we.