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Monday, Raja Bell was listed as a game-time decision with a sprained right toe.
New head coach Ty Corbin penciled C.J. Miles into the starting line to replace Bell.
When Bell told Corbin he was good to play, Corbin said he was going to leave Miles in the starting lineup. That brief conversation did not go over well with the 10 year NBA vet.
"As a player, I just wish that, I've had a pretty long career, you can come to me as a man and chop that up with me instead of having it as brief as it was. Like I said, I just wish it had been a little different, but it wasn't. I've still got a job to do." said Bell.
Video Courtesy of KSL.com
Whether this move is a permanent move or a one time occurrence has not been decided.
"I've said all year, the way we play, the one-on-one play that we do employ... C.J. is probably a better fit. So it was inevitable, I knew that was coming. I just wish that it had been more of a man to man thing, straight up. Honestly say, this is what we need to do, instead of the way it went down and I made that clear. I'm not going to speak on that again." said Bell.
Bell has moved seven different times in his NBA career and has had numerous coaches. He knows what his role is, as a starter or as a sixth man.
"I am going to do whatever I need to do to help this team win and I'm supporting whatever decision he makes."
When asked if there are benefits to coming off the bench? Bell responded before the question was finished, "No." after a short pause he continued, "but there's no benefits to starting either. You play the game, your minutes are what your minutes are and you go out there and try to make the most of them."
Bell does think that Miles will benefit from a move to the starting lineup.
"I think he plays better in that starting role and if that's the case then whatever gives us the best chance to win."
Bell said that he was fine with the move, he just wishes that it had been handled by Coach Corbin in a more graceful manner.
"It's not personal, you asked me if I liked the way it went down and I said 'No. It is what it is, brother. You know, he's learning on the fly. I give him credit for that (pause) but what do I say to you?"
