For the haters, a few reason's we need to keep Raja Bell around this year...

[NotDeadYet]

1. Raja is a vet who can and does help the younger Jazz adjust to life in the NBA. He is literally a man among boys who are still learning to be men. Coaches can lead a guy so far; teammates who have "been there done that" recently can be invaluable mentors.
2. It's a long and very compressed schedule, meaning injuries, always a Jazz bugaboo, could be more frequent.
3. Raja still has the desire to play; just can't remain effective over a long stretch. Never was a lockdown defender, but still knows all the tricks and does help disrupt opponents' offense with a combination of smarts and willingness to do the dirty work. He's willing to get nose-to-nose with an opponent, something rooks usually are timid about doing. SEEING a teammate do it kinda tells a rook "oh yeah, that's what coach Ty's been telling me"...
4. Raja is very approachable, a great teammate.

With all that said, as quickly as Burks is picking things up, Raja's minutes may start to decline as Burks' pick up.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Raja is our only 3 point shooter.

 

[Cope]

Raja is a vegetarian....

 

[oldtimer]

I don't think raja is the vet you want teaching the young guys. Raja believes either rightly or wrongly that he deserves not only a starting spot but a prominant role on this team. Remember when he was struggling and he came out in the press and said he was playing well and if the team didn't believe in him they could trade him. Thats not the vet we need. We need a vet who understands that burks is ready to play and pumps him full of confidence and supports him. We need a vet who accepts he should be playing behind burks at this point in his career.

That being said, I thinks Bell started turning around his season and has been playing much better than the first ten games. Raja does have a place on the team, its just on the bench. 15 minutes maximum. The rest of the time should go to Burks. Let the kid develop.

 

[gregbroncs]

I don't mind him on the team. But the "team stats" while he is on the floor are very disturbing. If they don't improve dramatically he needs to stop playing.

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

Raja is our only 3 point shooter.

What about Millsap?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

What about Millsap?

What about him?

 

[Archie Moses]

Every team needs a whipping boy?

 

[fallenchicken]

Every team needs a whipping boy?

This. I need someone to hate.

 

[Weron Dilliams]

Am I the only one too attached to all the Jazz players to ever bag on them? I mean I am willing to offer criticism but never hate on a Jazzer. That being said, I couldn't let go of Raj.

 

[Weezur]

If he's the one teaching Alec Burks to play defense, give him an AK contract I say!

 

[fallenchicken]

I'll admit Raja doesn't smell so bad right now. And when his contract is up The Burkman will start and we will win all the championships between him and Godward.