The Janitor's Guide to Raja Bell

Thu, 21 Dec 06 16:30:00 UT

If Suns games were a class, then Raja Bell would be an A student. I guess that would make me the "Janitor" that notices everything.

I recently had a couple of encounters with “RaRa” the other night when the Suns won their 13th straight against the Warriors. Even though the both run-ins were faster than a 24-second shot clock violation, it was a pretty good determining factor that made me proud that he was in a Suns uniform.

HOMEWORK: Bell, knowing that his jumper was off, obtained some game film from his made shots from the New Jersey, Portland and Houston games. This is a common practice amongst NBA players who want to improve their game and understand the mechanics of their shots in game scenarios. Right off the bat, Bell is doing his homework to achieve better results

STAYING LATE AFTER CLASS: After the Warriors game, I came across a discontent Bell heading to the practice court with a basketball in hand and two ball boys following. He hoisted up three-point shots on the practice court. I was shocked. I can’t say that I have seen a player on the practice court (let alone a starter) after the game, unless they were getting garbage minutes and had to get required conditioning reps in. But there he was, shooting from the wings, perfecting his shot. He could have easily just hit the showers, done his post game interviews, and get on the bus to for a flight to Sacramento; But Raja, as determined as he is, stayed afterwards, if only for 5-10 minuets of quick shots.

PLAYS WELL WITH… [AGAINST] OTHERS: Well, let’s face it, no matter what team comes in, the player matching up against Raja always ends up complaining about how “great” his defense and sportsmanship was.

I mean, this guy really wants it: wins, improvement, everything. I don’t think that anyone in his position would be happy with their performance, shooting 29 percent from the field and 1-10 from three point land that night. But this sixth year NBA veteran came from grass roots up to NBA starter, and yet this guy pounded the practice court hardwood even after the Warriors game. That’s integrity, that’s actions speaking louder than words, and for that I give him the A+.

EDDIE'S in the HOUSE!

Fri, 08 Dec 06 20:51:00 UT

For those of you out there that don't know me, I'm the hometown kid that has grown up with the Suns since the age of 13, with a behind the scenes look spanning over 10 Suns seasons.

No, my credentials don’t go as far as say NBA Trainer, or Sports Columnist, even “Superfan” (but I bet you that I could give Adam Beechen a run for his money, sans the Purple and Orange Nike Classics).

Since 1998, I’ve had the privilege of working as a Team Attendant in the Visiting Locker room. Spending eight years tending to visiting team players, coaches and staff, I’ve incorporated a trust which has also transformed into some unique relationships. You gather a lot of experiences through the years and hear a lot of the stories, inside jokes, and primal fears that opponents cringe about whenever they do visit the Valley of the Sun.

Being a product of Arizona State University I tend to have closer ties with players that came out of ASU. When there is a Sun Devil in the NBA that makes their way back to their alma matter, it’s always good to catch up with them. Recently former Sun and SUN DEVIL Eddie House (on the injured list that night) was in town.

Before the game, each team and individual player have their own pre-game rituals. Some players that I have seen in the visiting locker room get reps in on an exercise ball or ride a stationary bike to get their heart rate pumping. One player (that’ll remain anonymous) drinks four cups of coffee before a game, and eats 2 quarter-pounders with cheese. In an effort to interrupt those rituals, every now and again you will see something creative appear in the visiting locker room to give a previous Suns player or staff member a hard time. On this night, House was the victim of a mock scouting report pasted in the New Jersey locker room by Suns video coordinator Noel Gillespie and assistant video coordinator Jason March, with the aid of assistant trainer Mike Elliot.

With 50:00 on the clock prior to game time, I still hadn’t seen Eddie in the visitor’s locker room and the scouting report that had been pasted on the wall that separates the training room from the locker room was gone. Franticly running tickets to will call, preparing heat packs and making ice bags before the Nets started their pre-game meeting at 45:00, I ran a last minute errand into the Suns locker room. As I was opening the doors, I was quipped to find suit-wearing House and a crowd of three to four Suns players huddled around him laughing, and pointing at some of the excerpts from the scouting report for “Edward Shooter Hands”:

CLOSE AND CONTEST. He won’t shoot unless he touches the ball

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS D AND BUM KNEE. He gets lost and is open to backcuts. He is also not very strong physically. Talks about accountability, but points fingers… a lot like the Oakland Raiders.

HABITUAL TOE STEPPER. Wear steel-toed boots around him

STAY TIGHT AND CHASE OFF SCREENS. Was very good using screens door J’s before his love handles. At his best in the buffet line – hasn’t missed a meal since signing with Jersey.

Knowing that this was all in good fun for both sides, Eddie remains the premier locker room guy in the NBA, an X-factor that gets a team riled up with his straight-up humor and a swagger that transcends on and off the court.

He’s that crazy Uncle Tony that visits you unexpectedly during the Holidays, and can’t help but just “ooh and ahh” you when he’s pulling out his magic tricks.

Phoenix Suns Blog [Category - Aaron Kimberlin]

The Janitor's Guide to Raja Bell

EDDIE'S in the HOUSE!