Well-traveled Wells attempting NBA comeback

MINNESOTA Bonzi Wells signed a camp contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves this preseason, but he knows it doesn't guarantee him anything. After all, nothing in the NBA is guaranteed. Wells learned that the hard way.At 35 years old, Wells is a well-traveled veteran. He spent 10 seasons with five different teams from 1998 to 2008. When the 2007-08 season was over, Wells' NBA career also appeared finished.Wells played in China the following season, and Puerto Rico the year after that. This past year, he was away from the game altogether. But new Wolves coach Rick Adelman and president of basketball operations David Kahn have invited Wells to training camp with no guarantee of making the roster.A camp contract might not be much, but Wells seems genuinely appreciative of the chance. "It's been truly a blessing just to be back into an NBA arena, gyms, just this whole atmosphere," Wells said. "Coach and Mr. Kahn have given me a chance to come in and be a part of his team. It's just been a wonderful opportunity."It's one last chance for Wells to play at the highest level after spending two seasons overseas, playing in arenas akin to high school gymnasiums. Playing in China and Puerto Rico certainly wasn't glamorous, but Wells learned about different cultures.In China, for instance, Wells struggled adapting to the local cuisine. He doesn't eat seafood or pork, so daily meals were an adjustment."My diet was so limited. I couldn't really eat a lot of stuff, so I was just losing a lot of weight. My energy level was low," Wells said. "The venues were kind of like a high school atmosphere. But the competition was great. The fans were very passionate. The people were very, very nice. I had a good time."Wells also learned a lot about himself in the process."It was an experience I feel like I needed to go through," Wells said. "It's a huge piece of humble pie, and that's exactly what I needed. I've been so humbled, just challenged myself, Bonzi, whatever it takes, you're going to have to get back to the NBA.' These last three years have been a struggle, but I just want to thank Mr. Kahn and Coach Adelman for just giving me the opportunity to come here and compete for a spot on the team."Wells joins a Minnesota team that boasts several players at least 10 years his junior. The Timberwolves won just 17 games last season, but they're hopeful that rookies Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams can inject some life into a downtrodden franchise that has struggled since the departure of Kevin Garnett.Wells may not fit into Minnesota's long-term plans, but he's doing everything he can to help Adelman's young squad in the short term."That's exactly what I told Coach. I was like, Coach, listen. If I don't play one minute or if I play the whole game, I'm going to be very happy just to be here,'" Wells said. "A lot of these young guys have never really won in the NBA, never been a part of a winning situation since they've been in the NBA. So I can just try to mentor them game by game on how to prepare."During his 10-year NBA career, Wells averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. At two of his stops, Wells was coached by Adelman in Sacramento during the 2005-05 season and Houston in 2007-08."Bonzi knows how to play," Adelman said. "He's been around our staff for a long time, so I think he really helps the other guys understand what they have to do."Minnesota played its first of two preseason games on Saturday a 117-96 win over Milwaukee. Wells played just nine minutes for the Timberwolves, scoring one point and recording one steal while picking up three fouls. Yet while his time on the court was limited, Wells relished the chance to once again put on an NBA uniform."I was a nervous wreck. I was like, Oh my God,'" Wells said of Saturday's preseason game. "The lights seemed brighter. Everything seemed faster. I was like, Oh, man.' Coach has given me a great opportunity just to get back in here and get my timing back, get my legs back up under me, and they've been very patient with me."Before the condensed 66-game season begins Dec. 26 against Oklahoma City, the Timberwolves have one more preseason game at Milwaukee on Wednesday. There's a chance it may be Wells' last game in a Minnesota uniform and perhaps his last in the NBA.But he has a backup plan for whenever his winding journey as a player comes to an end."I would love to get into coaching," Wells said. "That's kind of my niche now that I'm doing. Even when I don't get reps in practice, I'm always talking with the guys, doing some coaching from the sideline. I just try to give my veteran knowledge of knowing the offense and knowing a few tricks of the trade to help these guys and just talk them through it. It's been fun."