The Suns miss Raja Bell’s defense. They miss his scoring and his threat as a 3-point shooter. But if you ask Steve Nash, the Suns miss Bell’s personality and swagger more than anything. “I think we really miss his leadership, the way he plays, just by example,” Nash said after he and his team slugged through a 95-88 loss to Dallas and fell behind 2-1 in the Western Conference finals.

The Suns miss Raja Bell’s defense. They miss his scoring and his threat as a 3-point shooter. But if you ask Steve Nash, the Suns miss Bell’s personality and swagger more than anything.

Steve Belles, one of five finalists for the vacant Hamilton High football coaching position, wouldn’t say yes or no Monday night when asked if he had been offered the position.

December 2, 2004

A cautious man might take a few more days, a few more games, and give his painful ribs a chance to settle down.

Raja Bell got one good game out of the calf muscle he tore in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in Dallas, helping the Suns win Game 4 with his emotional lift.

Raja Bell got one good game out of the calf muscle he tore in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in Dallas, helping the Suns win Game 4 with his emotional lift.

Suns president Bryan Colangelo said he never looked at Raja Bell as an insurance policy in the event the team lost starting shooting guard Joe Johnson in free agency.

Their digs at each other were more subtle this time.

Their digs at each other were more subtle this time.

The transformation is finally complete for Raja Bell. He’s been reprogrammed, or "D’Anton-ized" if you will, and become another full-fledged member of the Suns’ shooting gallery.

The transformation is finally complete for Raja Bell. He’s been reprogrammed, or "D’Anton-ized" if you will, and become another full-fledged member of the Suns’ shooting gallery.

When asked if this is the healthiest he’s felt during this injury-plagued season, Raja Bell briefly considered lying.

LOS ANGELES - Raja Bell led the NBA with 76 charges taken this season (according to the eclectic Web site 82games.com), a fact that was duly noted by Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy — who went to his left hand with a compliment for the Suns guard.

Raja Bell's pregame ritual includes downing a cup-and-a-half of coffee and a can of Red Bull. He must have doubled up his caffeine intake Wednesday.

Raja Bell's pregame ritual includes downing a cup-and-a-half of coffee and a can of Red Bull. He must have doubled up his caffeine intake Wednesday.

Gregg Popovich doesn't hide his feelings for Suns guard Raja Bell. “I hate Raja Bell," the San Antonio coach said, “because I've never been able to sign him." Still, Popovich did something just as important for Bell's career. He gave him one.

Gregg Popovich doesn't hide his feelings for Suns guard Raja Bell. “I hate Raja Bell," the San Antonio coach said, “because I've never been able to sign him." Still, Popovich did something just as important for Bell's career. He gave him one.

SALT LAKE CITY - Phoenix guard Raja Bell had 20 points against his former team as the Suns beat the Utah Jazz 106-95 in an exhibition game Monday night.

After spending all season waving off the theories of those who said he was pushing his starters too hard, Suns coach Mike D’Antoni amended his position during Phoenix’s five-game road trip last week – saying it was time to get guards Raja Bell and Steve Nash more rest.

The Arizona Cardinals didn’t have to cut anyone Tuesday, the annual June 1 date that allows NFL teams to release unwanted players and spread out the salary cap hit in the process.

Looking for more firepower from the shooting guard position and more toughness to the team, the Suns acquired prolific scoring guard Jason Richardson from the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday in a five-player trade.