Jamie Mottram's Sports Blog - www.misterirrelevant.com

Phoenix's Raja Bell has had a fine season, probably the best of his career (which is what happens when you play alongside Steve Nash). What it will always be remembered for, however, is his clothesline of Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter of their Game 5 win against L.A., a foul which will keep him out of Game 6.

So not only must his teammates face Kobe's wrath alone, but Bell further stirred the Black Mamba's vengeance juice by saying this after the Suns' off-day practice...

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

Bell went on to further ensure Bryant's full motivation to assassinate by describing Kobe's rough style of play, a style which Kobe disputed by saying...

"I’m not out there trying to elbow somebody. If you get elbowed, you’ve just got to keep your cool. I get elbowed all the time. I like playing that style. It excites me more than anything."

Great quote. Kobe is excited by violent acts, which is perfect for his villainous persona, but if Bryant's not out there trying to elbow anybody, then what was this elbow to Mike Miller's jugular earlier in the season? (Ed. note: My favorite part of that clip is when the play-by-play guy goes, "OK, that'll be a fine.") As usual though, David Stern gets the final and best word on this ...

"[Raja's foul] was a very unmanly act, and it was unnecessary for our game. And if that doesn't put our players on notice that we're here to protect them - protect them - then I don't know what will."

"Unmanly." That's great. I love Stern. And am starting to dislove Jesus Bron Bron for what he's doing to the Wizards, who play no defense. But I'm still too scarred to write about that right now.

Related: The latest Carnival of the NBA isup.

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• #8 Comment from estherihsiulee 
  6/9/06 12:49 PM | Permalink

  Raja's clothesline of Kobe was NOT A DIRTY MOVE.  A dirty player pulls illegal moves on his opponent in the hope that the refs will not see it and that it will help his team.  Raja threw Kobe to the ground wide in the open, fully expecting to take the consequence for it.  And that definitely did not help his team.  It may be a stupid move, but no way is it a dirty move.  Notice that he did not intend to hurt Kobe, otherwise Kobe wouldn’t be getting up so fast with a big smile.  He was making a statement that he will not stand to take the insults anymore.  After the game, he gave his reason for his reaction, but he said "it does not excuse me."  Raja was NOT MAKING EXCUSES.  
• #7 Comment from goe4hockey 
  5/7/06 2:06 PM | Permalink

  Raja is a big girl. Even after making this nasty foul he cant stand up like a man all he does is make excuses of why it happened .... Raja i wish you all the worst the rest of this season and all the rest of your career.  cant stand the clippers but now want to see them send you home crying
• #6 Comment from vagabondchrist 
  5/6/06 11:34 PM | Permalink

  Good for Raja Bell. He finally figured out how to D Kobe Bryant
• #5 Comment from knemeth00 
  5/4/06 7:53 PM | Permalink

  In this league it doesn't matter if it's a foul. It matters if Stern likes you and your TV ratings. If not? You're getting "wacked"
  http://journals.aol.com/knemeth00/TheLushFactor/
• #4 Comment from tophac 
  5/4/06 3:49 PM | Permalink

  Raja Bell is just showing that as an athlete common sense is not one of his most attainable traits.  His irresponsible act has now thrust his team on the verge of being dumped from the play-offs.  Candidly he explains his act as just one of those things that happens  on the field of play, but he didn't   consider  the cost  to his team   of this selfish act . Unfortunately the death knell  is now there and we can expext to see The Lakers  close out the series with  Kobe Bryant  laughing all the way to the next round.  Bryant,  though not without guilt played his  own part in this little saga.