Former Jazzman Raja Bell Praises Team For Westbrook Situation
Mar 14, 2019, 2:23 PM
Raja Bell #19 of the Utah Jazz against Mike Bibby #10 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 12, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Days after the incident that involved Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook and a Utah Jazz fan, current and former players are speaking out on the situation, including former Jazzman Raja Bell.
Bell hosts a daily podcast for CBS Sports HQ with Danny Kannell called “Kannell and Bell.” The incident in Salt Lake City on Monday was brought up on the show and Bell was pleased with the way it was handled.
Westbrook was caught on video shouting explicit language to the fan and threatening to harm him and his wife. After the game, Westbrook mentioned that the comments made by the fan were disrespectful and racial. The Jazz permanently banned the fan from all events at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
MORE FROM WESTBROOK INCIDENT
- Westbrook Caught On Video During Apparent Run-In With Jazz Fan
- Dwyane Wade, Other NBA Players React To Russell Westbrook Incident
- Donovan Mitchell Releases Statement Regarding Russell Westbrook Incident
- Jazz Fan Permanently Banned From Vivint Smart Home Arena
- Russell Westbrook Receives Fine From NBA After SLC Incident
“It’s a great statement for the Jazz to make and the NBA,” Bell said on the show about the fan getting banned for life.
Bell played for the Utah Jazz from 2003-05 and was a part of the team when they were rebuilding when John Stockton and Karl Malone retired.
“I had a great time in Utah,” he said. “I do not think that the fan base are racists, there are people in the world with racist tendencies, but they are not any different from any other state,” Bell added.
“I know that Jazz fans are as passionate as they come in the NBA,” said Bell.
The Jazz did the right thing by permanently banning the fan involved in the exchange with Russell Westbrook the other night in Utah. pic.twitter.com/3fyEkveUKM
— KanellAndBell (@kanellandbell) March 13, 2019
Bell mentioned that he still visits Utah with his family to ski.
For all of our new Utah followers, Raja showed some more love for your state on today's show 👇 pic.twitter.com/JmCF5aXkfn
— KanellAndBell (@kanellandbell) March 14, 2019
