Is Raja Bell back?

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Brandon Roy defended by Raja

37 min
6 PTS
3/14 FG%
0/0 FT%
0/1 3P%
7 AST


Brandon Roy previous game

36min
25 pts
10/19 FG%
4/5 FT%
1/3 3P%
9 AST


Kevin Martin defended by Raja

30 min
16 PTS
4/6 FG%
1/1 3P%
7/8 FT%
1 AST


Kevin Martin tonight

40 min
34 pts
13/22 FG%
2/4 3P%
6/8 FT%
2 AST

 

[mathbzh]

Sample too small, I'll give you an answer in a few games.

 

[DeAnna]

As long as his back holds up! He's been playing like a man possessed on defense lately.

 

[Gaddabout]

Raja is probably enjoying less switching and and less having to cover deficiencies of a certain point guard. He also probably likes that he won't have to take Marion's job as defender of 6-9 small forwards ... Grant Hill's done OK there. He focus on the 2s and have confidence someone's in the middle to cover his back. So ... no more free shots when Raja's on the floor.

 

[nashman]

I don't hink Raja ever left, just beleive he was ailing and maybe is finally getting a little healthier and seems to be shooting well the last 5 or 6 games.

 

[KidPhoenix]

Over the last month he's giving us over two 3's, shooting at 40% for about 11 points a game, and his defense is picking up. Sounds good to me

 

[nowagimp]

Raja is back, but shaq is back there as well.

Good article in the republic today regarding Rajas recent spurt of D. He also held monta ellis to 8-22 shooting and monta shot 21-30 in the two games that sandwiched the suns/warriors game(he is playing very well lately). Nate McMillan said that "shaqs presence in the middle allows Raja to overplay his man", making him much tougher. indeed Raja did allow Roy to get between him and the basket and took swipes at the ball from behind or on the side of Roy. Great Job lately by Raja, but I'm giving part credit to Shaqs stellar defense in the middle that allows the suns perimeter defenders to overplay their assignments. I loved the play where Jarret Jack blows by Nash on his way to the rim only to have shaq erase the shot and start the break. Nice job guys!

 

[Cheesewater]

Sample too small, I'll give you an answer in a few games.

Or just watch the games.

Raja is playing some seriously pesterizing defense again.

 

[jagu]

Yes Raja is moving a lot better on the court. Brandon Roy is a tough guard. I also think the presence of Shaq in the middle has caused a lot of awkward shots. Its just not easy if your a penetrating guard or SF anymore. Amare needs to stop being dumb on defense and make better decisions. You can't afford for him to sit down in the first quarter and second quarter because of foul trouble.

The Trailblazers have some talent. Roy, Aldridge, Outlaw. They will be good soon.

 

[arwillan]

i think he may also be a little bit more willing to spend his energy and play extra aggressive knowing that Giricek is there on the bench to back him up. He hasn't really had another 2-3 who can play D off the bench since JJ left.

 

[TucsonDevil]

i think he may also be a little bit more willing to spend his energy and play extra aggressive knowing that Giricek is there on the bench to back him up. He hasn't really had another 2-3 who can play D off the bench since JJ left.

JJ? as in James Jones? Yeah, he was reliable off the bench.

I think Bell must have had some injury that was worst than advertised. He looked slow and his shot was very inconsistent at best. Maybe he is just returning to health? Whatever the reason, it is good to have him playing better.

 

[jbeecham]

Bell Also did a great job against SA defensively the last time we played them:

Manu Ginobili
32 minutes
22 pts
7-19 shooting
4-5 3pt
4-6 ft

Michael Finley
23 minutes
1 pt
0-6 fg
0-2 3pt
1-1 ft (technical ft)

I know Manu's 3pt shooting was hot, but he was 3-14 on 2pt shots. Bell obviously didn't guard these guys the entire time they were on the floor (since they played a combined 55 minutes), but he plays Manu very well and slows down his penetration.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Raja did great against Durant tonight once again. I hope his ankle heals well.

 

[jbeecham]

This thread was a huge jinx! Good job YJGS....

 

[bigfoot]

I see this must be the thread that brought on the jinx.
GET WELL SOON, RA-RA!

 

[Hat]

No kidding, geez...

 

[bigfoot]

Everybody delete your replies please.

Yea and delete that other thread about Nash, too.

 

[LV-Suns]

Yea and delete that other thread about Nash, too.

^

 

[Nash2Amare]

Eh.. I've only read the OP's post and wow...what a f'in jinx.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Trust me, no one's madder than me about this.

 

[mojorizen7]

Trust me, no one's madder than me about this.

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