Raja Bell. Do you know this kid? There was a time when Kobe Bryant didn't know this kid. Kobe said he didn't even want to know this kid. But now he knows this kid.
This kid Raja, who already knew Kobe from a finals matchup in 2001, reintroduced himself to Kobe in 2006 with a flagrant 2 clothesline.
Kobe thought this kid might have self esteem problems in the presence of the mamba. "Maybe he wasn't hugged enough as a kid," Bryant said. "I look at him a little bit, he gets a little insecure or something."
Raja's best retort was to call Kobe a "pompous, arrogant individual." Really? That sounds like something Carlton would say to the Fresh Prince.
After Bell's fleeting moment of henchman history, he returned to relative obscurity with the Suns, Bobcats & Warriors while Kobe went on to collect his 4th & 5th championship rings. Bell became less known for tenacious Bruce Bowen style defense than he was for soccer style flopping to get cheap calls. Somebody made a song about it. Wanna hear it? Here it go.
This off-season, the champion Lakers have been hunting for a good defensive minded guard/small forward to come off the bench. Bell is a free agent & the champs thought he was their guy. Kobe called & texted Bell repeatedly to tell him he'd be a great fit for the Lakers just like Ron Artest.
Bell enjoyed the attention. Kobe not only knew him, but he actually liked him and wanted to be around him. Bell basked in Bryant's love for days.
Just when it seemed that Bell was destined to join the Lakers in their quest to ice Miami Thrice, he stood Kobe up for their deal clinching dinner & chose to go play for the floundering Utah Jazz and grinch coach Jerry Sloan. He went with Utah's three year $10 million offer and skipped less lucrative offers from other strong contenders like the Heat & Bulls.
Now the Lakers have their sights set on Matt Barnes. Hopefully he'll choose them instead of Dwyane Wade's team in Miami. Maybe Kobe should invite him to a better restaurant. Or even just let Barnes pick the spot from his days at U.C.L.A.
The Lakers and Barnes will land on their feet regardless of the outcome of this process. But that kid Bell? He's got a bullseye on his face that will land him on his ass. He publicly teased and denied the Black Mamba. He left him hanging at the buffet. And a scorned woman ain't got jack on the wrath of Kobe.
It's not hard to imagine Kobe putting 50+ on Raja Bell while repeatedly asking him "Yo Roger, how's Utah working out?"
Raja Bell, consider your ankles warned.
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