You figured that despite his friendship with Steve Nash and cult hero status among Phoenix fans for services rendered, Raja Bell would be happy enough to take up residence in some other NBA town. Bell has been the most vocal critic of the new Steve Kerr/Terry Porter regime, as his role and efficacy have shrunk magnificently in the post-D'Antoni era.Boris Diaw, though -- his entire career is based on the 2005-06 season in which Mike D'Antoni turned him into a five-position magician. While he has fit in under Porter, you have to think he'd be worried about re-entering the anonymous purgatory of the Eastern Conference dregs with today's trade to Charlotte. But in comments the Arizona Republic collected, Diaw makes it seem like he was over the Suns anyway.
"It definitely wasn't as fun. ... It wasn't as exciting for the fans. It's not as fun for everybody (on the team). I'll always remember Phoenix with Mike (D'Antoni). We went from a winning team that was the most exciting team in the league to a half-winning team that wasn't exciting at all."Diaw just threw Kerr's promise ring into the river. Meanwhile, Bell seemed level and gracious to the old squad. Before tip-off of Lakers-Suns on ESPN, it was noted that Nash looked like someone shot his dog. (I'm paraphrasing here.) And of course, Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley have stopped doing back flips only to board to first plane to Arizona.
Diaw seems to be thinking, "Ta' hell with these Suns." I'm almost positive he'll be singing a different tune by the end of the month.
