Notes: Wells returns to practice

Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer

HOUSTON -- Bonzi's back.

Wells, one of the Rockets' biggest acquisitions of the off-season, returned to the practice court Tuesday after missing the past four days for unspecified personal reasons.

The Rockets forward is expected to travel with the team on its two-game road swing through Florida beginning Wednesday in Miami and might make his debut with the team in Thursday's preseason finale against Orlando.

Wells didn't shed any light on why he was away from the court.

"It wouldn't be personal if I told you, would it?" Wells joked. "I'm not worried about yesterday. I'm just looking forward. I'm back and ready to play. That's it."

Wells, who had already been dealing with a groin injury and a couple of root canal procedures in the preseason, was given an excused absence Friday from Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Wells admits that he still needs to get some of the team's terminology down before the season opener at Utah on Nov. 1, but he's confident that he'll be in shape by the time the season begins.

"If it was the regular season, I would be down in the dumps, but it's just the preseason and it doesn't really count," Wells said. "If I was a rookie, I would be way behind. But I'm a vet. I've been doing this for years. It's nothing. Just roll the ball on the court and I'm going to know what to do with it. I'm going to be out there when it counts."

Van Gundy said he thought it would be about two to three weeks before Wells can play significant minutes without wearing out. However, the coach said Wells will play before he has worked his way back into shape.

"He's bright so he'll pick up what he needs to do," Van Gundy said. "I'm more concerned about getting him back into shape and getting him in the best shape he's ever been in."

Azubuike Released: The Rockets moved another step closer to finalizing its roster on Tuesday by releasing guard Kelenna Azubuike.

The Rockets now have 17 players and have to release at least two more names before the season opener on Nov. 1.

Houston has two players in Scott Padgett and Casey Jacobsen who were training camp invitees and two more players -- Ryan Bowen (hip) and Bob Sura (knee) -- that haven't played this preseason because of injuries.

"Whatever we do won't be enjoyable," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "There are a lot of different scenarios, and all of them stink. I'd always like to be at 13 or 14 players (on the roster). But there are many cases to be made for 15."

Azubuike, 22, played in two preseason games, averaging 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.0 minutes of action.

Van Gundy said he was pleased with how Azubuike performed in camp.

"It's the part of the job that stinks -- calling somebody in there and telling them their dream is being put on hold for right now with our team," Van Gundy said. "Kelenna was only 1-for-7 from the floor in the games, but looking at stats from our scrimmages, his numbers were overwhelmingly positive so I don't have any doubts that he can play in the NBA."

Fixing Yao's Shoe: Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said after Tuesday's practice that Yao Ming's shoe situation has improved and that the center hasn't had any more setbacks with his left toenail.

Van Gundy said Reebok sent a new shoe to Yao. The center missed a week of the preseason to have his left big toenail removed on Oct. 9.

"Reebok has worked hard to get it right," Van Gundy said. "He's wearing a shoe that feels comfortable now. It doesn't seem like he's had any setbacks. I think Yao appreciates the attention and I know I do. I know it's going in the right direction and, hopefully, that means he is going to be pain free going forward."