Suns' Bell says he has no respect for `pompous' Kobe Bryant

Val · May 3, 2006

Suns' Bell says he has no respect for `pompous' Kobe Bryant
BY SCOTT BORDOW
East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)
MESA, Ariz. - A day after he clotheslined Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter of Game 5, the Phoenix Suns' Raja Bell was still fighting mad.

On Wednesday, Bell called Bryant "a pompous and arrogant individual. I have no respect for him."

Bell said he lost his cool because Bryant repeatedly had elbowed him in the face.

"When I get hit in the face multiple times you crossed the line with me. That's not basketball," Bell said. "It's a personal thing when someone continually hits you in the face. He tried to bully me."

Bell went on to say that, "there doesn't seem to be any boundaries or limitations to what he (Bryant) can do to me."

Bell also said he was angered by a comment from Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Bell said that when he complained to an official in the fourth quarter about Bryant's wayward elbows, Jackson told him, "You (expletive-deleted) deserved it."

"I thought that was kind of bush-league from such a good coach," Bell said. "That was enough for me."

On Wednesday, the NBA suspended Bell for one game, meaning he will miss Game 6 on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

Outlier · May 3, 2006

I would hate Kobe too if I had to play him.

Jugdish · May 3, 2006

God, it's me, Jugdish.

Game 7, please?

Clutch · May 3, 2006

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/faq.php?faq=faq_etq#faq_faq_etq_postarticle

A_3PO · May 3, 2006

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2431979

Hope this helps.

orbb · May 3, 2006

Jugdish said:

God, it's me, Jugdish.

Game 7, please?
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God: lol

dream2franchise · May 3, 2006

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AhZPLIJpNWDMG.oJvcQuE928vLYF?slug=ap-suns-lakers&prov=ap&type=lgns

Some more nice quotes in this article:

Lakers look for clincher at home; Suns to play without Bell
By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
May 3, 2006

AP - May 3, 7:57 pm EDT
More Photos

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant pointed to his slightly soiled Lakers' T-shirt as he finished a session with reporters, smiled and said: "There's my baby-girl throw-up. I'm supposed to be worried about Raja Bell?"

The implication, of course, was the importance of Bryant's second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, born Monday, and the insignificance of Bell, the Phoenix guard who slammed Bryant to the floor Tuesday night.

Bryant and his teammates won't have to worry about Bell in Game 6 on Thursday night when they try to eliminate the Suns from the first-round Western Conference playoff series.

On Wednesday, the NBA suspended Phoenix's primary defender against Bryant for his actions with 7 1/2 minutes left in a game the Suns had well in hand. Phoenix wound up winning 114-97 to cut the Lakers' lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

In a brief news release, the NBA said Bell was suspended one game for "excessive and unnecessary contact."

The Lakers have won eight straight at Staples Center, including Games 3 and 4 of this series, and 12 of 13.

"It should be a hell of a battle," Bryant said.

"It's always good to play at home," Lamar Odom said. "There's no pressure on us. It's the second seed (Phoenix) vs. the seventh seed (the Lakers)."

If the Lakers win, they'll play Game 1 of the second round Saturday night against the Clippers, who are waiting down the Staples Center hallway for their co-tenants. If those teams play, it will be the first postseason meeting between Los Angeles teams in the NBA, NFL or major league baseball.

Should the Suns win, Game 7 with the Lakers would be Saturday night in Phoenix.

"I just think the pressure is on both teams, and I love that," Suns star Steve Nash said. "We've just got to go out and play a good game, build on what we've built so far."

Bryant, Odom and coach Phil Jackson all said they had hoped Bell wouldn't be suspended.

"I let him play, take on the challenge for the next game," Bryant said.

"We'd like to have their whole team on the floor," Jackson said.

AP - May 3, 7:50 pm EDT
More Photos
"It's too bad he's not playing," Odom said.

When asked if the Lakers were playing a clean series, Odom replied: "Of course. We're classy gentlemen."

"It's the playoffs, nobody wants to lose," he added. "Two great leaders in Nash and Kobe. Two great coaches, two great systems. We're just smacking each other in the face. We've been able to play a physical game without getting dirty, without taking cheap shots."

Bryant said he was surprised by Bell's action.

"I don't think anyone expects to get clotheslined during a basketball game," he said. "I don't know this guy. I don't want to. I think he overreacts to stuff."

Bryant smiled and walked away after Bell's shot. When asked about that Wednesday, he replied: "I retaliate and I miss a game. For this guy?"

In Phoenix, Bell repeated that throwing down Bryant was wrong, but explained what led to the foul and made clear his dislike for the Lakers' star.

"I have no respect for him," Bell said. "I think he's a pompous, arrogant individual."

Bell said he had been repeatedly hit in the face by Bryant during the game.

"I got a bruised cheek here and I can barely open my jaw on this side," he said, indicating the left side of his face, "and that didn't come from nowhere, and I felt like I'd had enough of that."

When informed of Bell's remarks, Bryant said: "That's what he said? Maybe he has a glass jaw. Maybe he wasn't hugged enough as a child. He's a good defender, he's a good basketball player. Just go out and play the game, don't go out there and whine about it."

Jackson said he doesn't believe the series has been that physical, especially compared to the past.

AP - May 3, 7:37 pm EDT
More Photos
"I'm thinking of 15 years ago -- guys are thrown into the seats," Jackson said. "Our guys are pussycats, I know Phoenix has a bunch of pussycats, too."

Leonardo Barbosa is expected to start in Bell's place and guard Bryant. Shawn Marion will probably share the duty.

"We've been shorthanded the whole year and guys have stepped up," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We've closed ranks and we'll do that tomorrow. Somebody really has to step up big and we have a bunch of guys who can do it."

Meanwhile, police said Lakers center Kwame Brown hadn't been interviewed about allegations that he was involved in a sexual assault.

Brown denied any wrongdoing in a statement released shortly before Tuesday night's game.

"I'm just staying grounded and staying with my family," Brown said after practice Wednesday. "I'm confident it will get resolved. You've just got to roll with the punches -- life goes on. I just come out and play. You've got to go to work every day, don't you."

He declined further comment on the matter, but did talk basketball.

"Oh, yeah. I don't want to go back to Phoenix," he said when asked if Game 6 was a must win for the Lakers.

Regarding Bell's action, Brown said: "I thought it was pretty stupid. He let his team down a little bit. That was his decision."
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CreepyFloyd · May 3, 2006

i've never liked raja, i think he's a borderline dirty player (a proto-dirty player)...he roughs up other star players and then gets upset when anything happens to him....i remember he used to cross the line and try to rough up steve francis back when stevie played for the rockets...i wouldnt mind if somebody laid raja out

Rizzy · May 3, 2006

Raja is a crybaby.

ClutchCityReturns · May 3, 2006

Raja Bell is my new favorite NBA player.

Kobe is a fake, pompous douchebag and I'm glad he got hog tied.

Rizzy · May 3, 2006

ClutchCityReturns said:

Raja Bell is my new favorite NBA player.

Kobe is a fake, pompous douchebag and I'm glad he got hog tied.
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What a horrible way to celebrate your 1000th post.

steddinotayto · May 3, 2006

Raja Bell sucks period. This isn't even the first time he's gotten physical with other players. That's the only reason why he and Bowen are still in the league--because they do the dirty things other players won't do. I actually have more respect for Bowen than I do Bell. I wished Bell would have been able to play Game 6 so Kobe can light his ass up.

Can't believe I'm rooting for Kobe and the Lakers like this but something about Phoenix just pisses me off.

slowmustang · May 3, 2006

Strange how during the press conference he was trying to hide his true feelings. For the first time ever, I'm rooting for the Lakers to destroy the Suns.

dividend · May 4, 2006

CreepyFloyd said:

i've never liked raja, i think he's a borderline dirty player (a proto-dirty player)...he roughs up other star players and then gets upset when anything happens to him....i remember he used to cross the line and try to rough up steve francis back when stevie played for the rockets...i wouldnt mind if somebody laid raja out
Click to expand...

i agree completely!

ChrisBosh · May 4, 2006

CreepyFloyd said:

i've never liked raja, i think he's a borderline dirty player (a proto-dirty player)...he roughs up other star players and then gets upset when anything happens to him....i remember he used to cross the line and try to rough up steve francis back when stevie played for the rockets...i wouldnt mind if somebody laid raja out
Click to expand...

even though you are right, Kobe is a jack@$$. His ego size is

...can't be measured.

tinman · May 4, 2006

steddinotayto said:

Raja Bell sucks period. This isn't even the first time he's gotten physical with other players. That's the only reason why he and Bowen are still in the league--because they do the dirty things other players won't do. I actually have more respect for Bowen than I do Bell. I wished Bell would have been able to play Game 6 so Kobe can light his ass up.

Can't believe I'm rooting for Kobe and the Lakers like this but something about Phoenix just pisses me off.
Click to expand...

phoenix's defense is terrible. its not just some magic phil jackson triangle crap either. they can't buy a rebound either.

Raja Bell's foul wasn't as good as Ron Artest's either.
At least Ron Artest tried to disguise his foul as a pick!

Kobe is dirty also, remember he smacked Mike Miller in the regular season good. But Bell's foul was so blatant. He might as well gone "MITCH KUPCHACK".

rezdawg · May 4, 2006

steddinotayto said:

Can't believe I'm rooting for Kobe and the Lakers like this but something about Phoenix just pisses me off.
Click to expand...

Before the playoffs started, I didnt give a crap about the Lakers...now I find myself following the series closely and rooting for Kobe to give it to the Suns. Ive also started disliking Nash...I was indifferent previously, but now I want him to lose.

Weird stuff.

Rocketeer · May 4, 2006

I also, strangely, find myself rooting for LA. I think I just hate the Suns even more. Plus it's more fun to root for the underdog.

ToothYanker · May 4, 2006

Yes, I must hop on the "pro-Kobe/Lakers-for-this-series-only" bandwagon. I hate the Suns almost as much as the mavs. Steve Nash flops almost as much as Ginobili. I hate floppers and the Suns are full of them. Raja included. Must have been some gust of wind from that Kobe elbow miss that knocked his pansy@ss down.

daoshi · May 4, 2006

Noone knew Raja Bell before, now his name is one the front page. This is the instant opportunity to gain fame.

Still dislike the cocky rapist, though.

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Suns' Bell says he has no respect for `pompous' Kobe Bryant

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