Tossing coins into Wells should bring Rockets good fortune

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9692097

Jeff Van Gundy had to feel a lot like Pig Pen last season, cast in the shadow of a permanent dark cloud. In the Houston coach's case, it wasn't dust following him around, but rather misfortune, resulting in a disheveled appearance all the same.

The circles under his eyes were all the more defined. His temper was shorter, patience practically exhausted. If there was anybody who needed the 2005-06 season to end, it was Van Gundy, who threw himself into broadcasting during the playoffs to help pass the time.

Fortunately for him and the Rockets, the air is clearing.

Bonzi Wells, the last coveted free agent on the market, has chosen to align himself with Houston for at least a season, joining Shane Battier, who came over in a draft-day trade from Memphis. Tracy McGrady says his back feels better than it has in years, and Yao Ming is fully recovered from the broken foot that ended his season prematurely, cutting short a period where the 7-foot-5 phenomenon was enjoying a career breakthrough.

The season wound down with rookies Luther Head and Chuck Hayes playing major minutes, Dikembe Mutombo in the starting lineup and point guard Rafer Alston serving as the team's top scoring threat. Houston fought to the end, a credit to Van Gundy, but a despondent attitude still reigned.

When training camps open Monday, all 30 teams will open with a renewed sense of hope, but the mood in Houston will probably be giddier than the rest. On paper, it looks not only like the suffering will end, but real optimism can begin. Dreams of playing into June don't seem far-fetched. Hey, if Dwight Howard can proclaim the Orlando Magic a championship contender, than Houston can start making preparations to hang its latest banner.

Not since San Antonio drafted Tim Duncan has a team that struggled the previous season had such reason to feel like a legitimate contender.

Yao finally did more than scratch the surface of his vast skills prior to going down in early April. For once, we don't head into a season waiting to see if he has some killer instinct in him. He has it. McGrady, two-time NBA scoring champion before back problems started to derail him, played in a career-low 47 games. The duo, undoubtedly one of the NBA's top tandems, played together in just 31 games, compiling a 21-10 mark in those contests. The Rockets were 13-38 in games where one or both were missing.

Battier's addition delivered Van Gundy his type of player, the perfect complement to a pair of All-Stars. If you watched the FIBA World Championship last month, you have a sneak preview of what Battier will offer. He'll be the Rockets' top perimeter defender. He'll camp out and hit the open jumper. He'll set picks and screens, dive for loose balls and find the open man. Best of all, his versatility will allow Van Gundy to utilize him on the wing or as an undersized power forward, depending on the matchup.

Acquiring Wells is the icing on the cake, despite his reputation probably making half of you roll your eyes at that statement. Sure, he's had his problems in the past. Those are well documented. Without a doubt, stints in Portland and Memphis were compromised because he was unhappy with his role.

However, after turning down a lucrative contract extension with Sacramento to test the market, and then finding out he priced himself out of everyone's range, Wells faces a crossroads in his career. He's likely to be on his best behavior, given the potential payday that awaits him should he make positive contributions, which Van Gundy will give him ample opportunity to do. Wells will ink a two-year deal with the Rockets that will pay him $5 million, but there's relatively no chance he'll pick up his player option for the second season if 2006-07 goes as it should.

During last year's playoffs, Wells was brilliant against San Antonio, giving the Kings an opportunity to hang in a series against the Western Conference's top seed. If he can bring that same type of energy to the Rockets, he'll be a favorite of both Van Gundy and the fans. If there's one thing missing on the Rockets, it's an enforcer willing to get his hands dirty. While Battier no doubt picked up some tips from Bruce Bowen over the summer, the roughhousing may just come from Wells, who backs away from no one and has the anywhere, any time attitude.

If he's as motivated as he should be, Wells could become the 2006-07 version of Anthony Mason, minus the messages shaved into his head. By no means is Wells as diesel as Mason, but he always finds a way to get in the mix. He's been one of the top rebounding wings in the game for a few years now, and last year's 23-point, 12-rebound playoff averages were no fluke. Wells is a difference-maker when focused, both rugged and physical.

His addition means that Juwan Howard won't have to be pressed into major minutes and can thus be more effective. It also takes the heat off of newcomers Kirk Snyder and Vassilis Spanoulis, and serves as an insurance in case Bob Sura can't make it back.

Wells could've blossomed in Sacramento and been a wealthy man, but that's not what fate had in store for him. Perhaps he would've gotten complacent with long-term security. Who knows? Now, there's no way that's an issue.

When last I saw Van Gundy, he was grimly answering questions about a cursed season, shrugging his shoulders at what possible good the latter stages of 2005-06 could bring, given the misfortune that gripped his basketball team. The mood in the Rockets locker room, after a win mind you, was as grim as that of a wake. Their once-promising season was dead, remains out there for all to see.

Now there's rebirth. If the annual rite of early autumn in the NBA is optimism, a picture of Van Gundy with a big, toothy smile on his face should be its poster. After all, what could transpire in Houston this season deserves far more than his trademark smirk.