Raja Bell holding himself, teammates accountable

Few believe that Utah can make an impact in the postseason, while some have used Bell as a punching bag during the Jazz’s downward slide. Bell? He just kept hitting away.

“We’re a struggling team. But that’s not a secret. It’s not like I’m telling anyone anything they don’t already know,” Bell said. “It is what it is. It’s never fun when you’re in the middle of something and you’re trying to figure it out, and you take a step forward and then a step back; two steps forward and two steps back. It’s been pretty inconsistent, and that’s never fun. But that’s where we are.”\

His step has slowed and his straight-as-an-arrow shot lacks the piercing sharpness that made him deadly from the field and beyond the arc from 2004-09. However, Bell often has pointed out that his shot attempts have been drastically decreased in Utah’s system, and he simply has played the role that has been required of him.

Bell is not done. Retirement has yet to cross and stay in his mind. And the proud, edgy fighter has no intention of backing down anytime soon.

Which was clearly evident against the Raptors, when Bell finished with just five points on 2-of-8 shooting but recorded a game-high 45 minutes and provided lock-down defense during a fourth quarter that saw Utah outscore Toronto 26-16.

“I can only speak for myself, but I haven’t cashed it in,” Bell said.