RealGM

by Brian T. Smith:

"Veteran shooting guard Raja Bell told The Salt Lake Tribune on Sunday he's reached a verbal agreement with Utah for a buyout of his 2012-13 contract."

http://twitter.com/tribjazz

Good, more time for Burks and Hayward......

I heartily approve.

Neat.

Sad that Raja didn't pan out here in Utah. Grade A person and if he still had game, he would of been a huge piece.

Thank you baby Jesus

Sucks.

Sucks that it didn't work out, on all levels. He's a tough guy, experienced, charismatic and a guy who maximized his potential. He could have contributed a lot more, and a lot in general. If things worked out differently, he is a guy I wanted to see transition into the coaching staff and the organization in general. His presence, charisma and leadership skills could transfer well from player to a guy who works with players (in any capacity). Too bad it didn't work out.

Oh, yeah - and it also REALLY SUCKS that we couldn't get anything for him. not even a 2nd round pick. Did I mention that this sucks?

Meh, I think most of us knew his time here was over by the end of the last season. This isn't surprising. Now if we can work out a deal to get rid of Howard then I'll be a real happy camper.

Pai Gow wrote:Meh, I think most of us knew his time here was over by the end of the last season. This isn't surprising. Now if we can work out a deal to get rid of Howard then I'll be a real happy camper.

The only possible way to get rid of Howard would be to first sign him... and then find a way to get rid of him.

Dont let the door hit you on the way out. Go play for a "winning team". He may seem professional on the outside but I highly doubt it he is with his coaches.

Good thing, gives more time for the young guys.

Also notice the Jazz didn't amnesty him, guess we're still holding onto to that chip, though the likelihood of it getting used continues to get slimmer.

i'm curious, how much did he left on the table? As for bell, i liked him some years ago.....

Can anyone tell me why he only played what looks to be 34 games last year? And does he have anything left in the tank? Can he help out a contender or is he done? Thanks in advance fellas!

iamworthy wrote:Can anyone tell me why he only played what looks to be 34 games last year? And does he have anything left in the tank? Can he help out a contender or is he done? Thanks in advance fellas!

He has very little left in the tank. He had a few "flashback" games of stifling defense, but for the most part was complete garbage. His 34 games played are attributable to injury and being a locker room cancer. He was sent home at one point for getting into it with Ty Corbin. He was miserable here, and made that fact pretty clear publicly.

For the sake of your sanity, I hope you don't sign him.

iamworthy, he was just so bad. He was so awful last year. His goto excuse for sucking was "lack of consistent playing time", and when he got the PT, he still sucked. He was a token starter for probably over half of the season despite being so terrible and then had the audacity to spit venom and start drama after being benched.

He threw his coach under the bus, management under the bus, and turned out to be a total whiner. Not to mention he was awful. He can maybe make a three a game still but other then that he is totally useless. No midrange game, no rebounding or passing. It is as if playing 4 on 5 with him out there.

He can help out a contender... by signing with another one. If he is getting any serious minutes on your team you are seriously f'd.

iamworthy wrote:Can anyone tell me why he only played what looks to be 34 games last year? And does he have anything left in the tank? Can he help out a contender or is he done? Thanks in advance fellas!

Raja would be a superb addition for the L's. Can't think of another ex-Jazz I'd rather see in yellow.

The59Sound wrote:

iamworthy wrote:Can anyone tell me why he only played what looks to be 34 games last year? And does he have anything left in the tank? Can he help out a contender or is he done? Thanks in advance fellas!

He has very little left in the tank. He had a few "flashback" games of stifling defense, but for the most part was complete garbage. His 34 games played are attributable to injury and being a locker room cancer. He was sent home at one point for getting into it with Ty Corbin. He was miserable here, and made that fact pretty clear publicly.

For the sake of your sanity, I hope you don't sign him.

Thanks dude.

iamworthy wrote:Can anyone tell me why he only played what looks to be 34 games last year? And does he have anything left in the tank? Can he help out a contender or is he done? Thanks in advance fellas!

He actually is worth some playing time. Pretty good defender, last season he was getting his shot back *finally* after going on a season long shooting drought. Couldn't hit ANYTHING what seemed like an entire year. This last season he seemed to be turning it around and was contributing. Mostly used really for defense against other shooting guards. Only could spot up shoot and that's about it...

my memory is a bit foggy but..

He got injured after being brought off the bench where Raja complained about it through the media, he felt he was still a starter...nobody knows for sure but the local media reported Bell and coach Corbin got into a heated argument about something in the locker room..after that... Corbin benched him basically for the rest of the season...even in the playoffs he sat it all out with Burks and Hayward playing. He suited up but never played a game.

I think he'd be worth something to you guys (Lakers) but don't expect him to create a shot.

.02

a lot of useful stuff here guys, thanks.

If we did pick him up Im hoping steve nash can do something to pull out the old raja. But thats just me wishing and hoping. Somehow I think he's gonna end up on the lakers. Reading some of these responses that may be a bad thing. But who knows maybe Nash can keep him mind right. I heard they are like best friends.