Ever watch one of those Animal Planet shows where a couple of bighorn rams go at it?
You know what I'm talking about, right? A couple of big, ornery males butting heads with each other, all the while each trying to exert his dominance over the other.
It's amazing stuff.
Well, that's pretty much what was going on back in 2006, during the NBA playoffs. In a heated first-round battle between the L.A. Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, Raja Bell and Kobe Bryant were like a couple of bighorn rams.
The battle was highlighted in the fourth quarter of Game 5, when Kobe executed a crossover dribble at the top of the key, then attempted to drive right on Bell.
Of course Bell was having none of it. Having already butted heads with Kobe on a couple of other occasions, Bell stuck out his left arm and clotheslined the L.A. superstar across the neck.
Kobe hit the deck, but quickly jumped up smiling, shaking his head and wagging a finger as if to say, "You just crossed the line, dude."
Bell was kicked out of the game, fined and suspended for Game 6 in L.A., which the Suns won, evening the series at 3-3.
Phoenix took Game 7 on its home floor and in a rare moment of weakness, Kobe and the Lakers went home furious.
Recently, I've watched that Raja-Kobe play a dozen or so times on YouTube, each time shaking my head at Bell's brazen disregard for Bryant's superstar status.
I love it.
Look, I've got nothing but respect for Kobe's game, his competitive fire and will to win. But what I respect even more is someone like Bell, who refuses to bow down or give in to the game's best player. Who doesn't love that?
Unless you're a Jazz fan who's been hiding under a rock for the past month, you're already well aware that Bell is now back in Utah, where he played from 2003 through 2005.
For the Jazz, getting Bell back was a terrific move. And if you don't believe me, take a second or two and Google the video of Raja clotheslining Kobe back in '06.
It was a cheap shot, no doubt about it. But it also sent a message that the Suns weren't going to roll over for the mighty Lakers.
Now ask yourself, when's the last time a Jazz player showed that kind of chutzpah against anyone wearing gold and purple?
It's been a while, hasn't it?
Seeing as how the Lakers have eliminated the Jazz from the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, it seems as though having Bell on the team can only help.
After all, he knows what it's like to stand up to them and beat them when it counts. And that ought to count for something.
Last month, with Kobe leading the way, the Lakers made a play to sign Bell, who at the time was an unrestricted free agent. But Bell opted to take a better offer and a better situation in Utah.
Bell said he and Bryant have become friendly since that fateful night in 2006. He said they have a mutual respect and that once he was aware of Bell's history with the Jazz, Kobe was "gracious" about getting snubbed.
But, really now, let's hope that's the last time we hear "gracious" used in conjunction with Bell and Bryant.
"I like playing against Kobes and D-Wades and LeBrons," Bell said. "You lose a little something when you play WITH them. You can never stop them, but you do your best to stop them and it's sure fun trying."
Well, there you have it. In an NBA world where a few superstars now prefer playing with each other like cute little kittens, it's nice to see there are still a couple of bighorns out there ... and that one of them is playing for the Jazz.
Jim Burton is the Standard-Examiner's sports columnist. He also covers the Utah Jazz and the NBA. He can be reached at (801) 625-4265 or at jburton@standard.net. He Tweets at http://twitter.com/jmb247
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