Raja Bell Day Part 1

by TexSUN on Sep 24, 2007 6:48 PM MDT in Player Day Features

In a belated birthday wish to Raja Bell, we will make him the subject of our latest Suns player "holiday". Raja, who turned 31 a few days ago, is a favorite among fans for his tenacity, long-range shooting, and all-around team play. He is an absolute pest on defense, and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone, especially that kid who plays for the Lakers. He's also a threat on offense, tying Gilbert Arenas for a league-leading 205 made three-pointers this past season, while shooting them at a 41% clip. But perhaps his greatest asset to the Suns is his leadership in the locker room. Whenever the Suns find themselves slacking off, they can always count on Raja to rile them up again with one of his halftime speeches.

By now, most everyone reading this probably already knows the drill. This post is for facts, trivia, and general commentary, and tomorrow we'll follow that up with a second post featuring YouTubes and excerpts from your comments. So, hit me up with your favorite Raja Bell stories and YouTubes, then check back tomorrow evening for Part 2.

A Few Quick Facts about Raja (from Wikipedia, Suns.com, Raja's NBA player profile page, and other sources):

Full Name: Raja Dia Bell

Birth Date: September 19, 1976 (Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands)

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 210lbs

College: Florida International

Trivia:

Got to the NBA the hard way after going undrafted out of college.
His middle name means "champion", and it is also his son's name.
Is a vegetarian.
Has a tiger named after him. (video here)
Has his own cheering section at the US Airways Center.
Made 205 three-pointers in 2006-07, tying Gilbert Arenas for the lead.
Was dining at Denny's in South Dakota when he got a call to join the 76ers.
Winner of the 2005-06 Majerlie Hustle Award
Made NBA All-Defensive first team for 2006-07

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out Suns.com's tour of Raja's home.

Poll

What is Raja Bell's greatest contribution to the Suns?

0 recs | Comment 5 comments

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Comments

Show the Video Tomorrow

You know the one I'm talking about. Don't shy away from it, either.

After that, show the Game 5 three in the corner against the Clippers. I was at that game with my brother and that was the straw that broke this camel's back and convinced me to plunk down the dollars for season tickets. I've got him to thank for the best purchase I've ever made.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Sep 24, 2007 10:26 PM MDT 0 recs

Totally know where you're comming from

I remember that shot against the Clippers with 3.6 seconds left. It was one of those sports moments where one was like "Thank God!!!" The Clips were pounding us in the paint and we were in serious danger of losing that game, going to LA. It was so cool to hear the Purple Palace erupt in unison at that shot. The only buzzer beater better than that of this new century was probably Horry's buzzer beater against Sacramento.

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Sep 24, 2007 11:57 PM MDT up 0 recs

No shying away here

Don't worry, "that" video will be included (and would have been even had it not been suggested by anyone).

by TexSUN on Sep 25, 2007 9:02 AM MDT up 0 recs

NAILS!!!!!

If you're looking for comments Tex, that's my entry. :D

Along other lines, here's a few Raja videos for tomorrow:

Bryant gets hung out to dry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V8ZukXsWmk

Raja has no mercy for the then-rookie Daniel Ewing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bua5ldlgfPM&mode=related&search=

Raja - Heart of a champion (AWESOME production on this one - over 5 minutes):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkUOAAuqbVI

Hope it helps, Tex. :D

Always remember to keep one foot in the groove

by SwingMan on Sep 25, 2007 12:06 AM MDT 0 recs

yep...

the three pointer your talking about really was fantastic, i was jumping up and down for 5 minutes, screaming, YES!! YES!!!

I like that Bell got excited about having a taco bell card, he really is a huge part of this team the last 2-3 years and my wife says he's cute. So, whenever he does something good, I tell her, we need to collect a check from her boyfriend on tv..

He really seems cool, I'll always be disappointed in most l.a. laker fans and others who got so mad at Bell for his clothesline of Kobe, when the replays showed Kobe elbowing Bell in the face and kneeing him in the groin again and again before that play.

I'm glad he's not overpaid so we don't have to talk about him possibly being traded for a player who won't be as good...

Note to Raja... tell the taco bell king that the taco bell at f.m. 544 and country club in wylie, texas sucks and needs new employees so I can start eating there again.... Or, better yet ask the taco
bell king to start serving potato ole's from taco johns,

If I could go back in time and change one thing in phx suns history (ok... there's more than one... back off) I'd have Bell knock out Bowen in the first game in last yrs playoffs, and I mean knockout so he's unable to play for a few weeks. Might as well include some others, but bowen will do. And for those who think this is too strong, a quote from true lies, (... you kill people.... yes, but they're all bad)

by jasonsuns1 on Sep 25, 2007 12:14 AM MDT 0 recs