Bonzi Wells, SG, Houston Rockets

Similar to Presidential Elections, leap year and the Olympics, Houston Rockets swingman Tracy McGrady has begun to voice is displeasure with his current team.  He did it in Toronto, and again in Orlando.  It looks like this time will belong to the Houston Rockets, their fans, and their front office.  But wait, there’s more.  McGrady has missed the last handful of games with a knee injury that was thought to only be precautionary.  Not so fast.

Latest news has McGrady missing at least the next two weeks.  Whether or not this is a fit of pouting, this opens up a huge role on the Rockets as is TMac is on the floor quite a bit when healthy.  Enter Bonzi Wells.

After a bout of injuries, weight problems and lack of conditioning in 2006, Wells has bounced back and has been very productive in his limited role with the team.  Unfortunately, the Rockets also added a stable of guards in the off-season, so things have been a bit cumbersome at best.  But it isn’t anything that an injury to Tracy McGrady couldn’t help.

In seven of the past eight games, Wells has tallied double-digit points – including two 20-point games.  He’s crashing the glass with the best of them and has recorded at least one blocked shot in each of the past eight contests as well.  If steals are your thing, look no further: 14 steals over said stretch.  Yes, Bonzi isn’t the best for those that prefer their percentages go un-phased, but if you’re a sucker for hustle-stats like me, you may not have a better option over the next two weeks.  Bonzi is officially one of those “get him now” guys.

Carlos Arroyo, PG, Orlando Magic

It was not all too long ago when Carlos Arroyo was running the point for the Utah Jazz.  Back then, he was dishing the rock to guys like Tom Gugliotta, and we were finally realizing this kid out of Russia named Andrei Kirilenko.  In 2003, Arroyo averaged 13 points, five assists and a steal per game – good enough for 11^th in the league in assists per game.  For good measure, Arroyo dropped 30 points in a game against the Timberwolves, breaking the record for most points scored by a Puerto Rican player.  This was easily his best season in the league.

In 2004, Arroyo was given All-Olympic honors, after dropping 18 points per game and leading the Puerto Rican National Team, including 25 points in the infamous victory over the United States.  Unfortunately, this would really be the last we heard of Arroyo in terms of United States basketball…until now.

After a stint in Detroit, Arroyo landed in Orlando in 2006 as a back-up.  Thanks to an injury (coupled with some ineffectiveness) to Jameer Nelson, Arroyo has seen a huge bump in his minutes, even starting the last three games.  In the last four contests, Arroyo has averaged 15 points and six assists – similar numbers to guys like Andre Miller, Ray Felton and even Tony Parker; all of whom are owned in all leagues.

There’s no telling how long Arroyo will be running with the first team, but with wins in four of the last five games, I’d be willing to bet that Steve Van Gundy isn’t in any hurry to shake up the starting lineup if it is not necessary.  Arroyo is more than worth an end-of-the bench spot in most leagues, especially for those teams in need of some short-term assists.