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Portland, Ore. • Raja Bell's breakup with the Utah Jazz wasn't particularly amicable and it appears the former shooting guard still harbors some resentment.
Bell, now an analyst, suggested on CBSSports.com that Jazz forward Gordon Hayward could benefit from a change of scenery before this year's trade deadline — and then he took a jab at the Jazz franchise.
"They'll never get rid of Gordon," Bell said, "but for his sake, I would hope they'd let him go and see what it's like to play in other places in the NBA where they do things a little more professionally and are up with the times. Forgive me Utah."
Asked about Bell's comments Wednesday, Jazz coach Quin Snyder defended the organization.
"He wasn't here when I was here," Snyder said. "I don't know where that .... I've been here for two years and I think we've got an unbelievably professional organization. If he's making a statement, it's clearly not about where we are right now. I don't understand why he would say that. I don't. He can say what he wants. I just don't get it.
"Gordon's doing great. I think Gordon's game is continuing to improve. I'm excited for his development."
Bell also gave some on-the-court reasoning behind his suggestion. Hayward, the Jazz's leading scorer the past three seasons, would benefit from sliding down a team's pecking order, too.
"I don't think he's a true No. 1 player. I think he's an awesome No. 2 guy," Bell said. "… He's a No. 2. He shouldn't be carrying the mail for you every night. If he is, you're going to be stuck competing for that 8th spot, probably falling short, being in that 9th or 10th spot."
"If he could play with a No. 1," Bell added, "he could really be of value to a championship type team."
Bell and Hayward were teammates in Utah for two seasons from 2010-2012 before Bell had his falling out with the Jazz.
Bell, who had a successful stint with the Jazz in the early 2000s, returned to Utah on a three-year, $10 million in his NBA twilight, but his relationship with the team soured after Jerry Sloan's sudden resignation and Ty Corbin's promotion to head coach. At the end of the 2011-12 season, Bell blasted Corbin for a lack of communication and "unprofessional" dealings.
Bell, who still had a year left on his contract, never rejoined the Jazz, and the two sides engaged in a protracted buyout negotiation before Bell was waived in March 2013.
In mourning
The basketball world this week was mourning the death of former Butler big man Andrew Smith, who died Tuesday at age 25 after a two-year battle with cancer.
"Butler is a family and when you play there, you're always part of the family," said Hayward, who played with Smith during the team's run to the 2010 NCAA championship game. "My heart goes out to his family and his wife."
Hayward only spent one season with Smith, when the Jazz forward was a sophomore on the Bulldogs' squad.
"I don't remember him talking much honestly," Hayward said. "He was just a freshman. He was a hard worker, a guy who was smart in the classroom. He was quiet when I was there. I've been told as he grew up he became one of the leaders."
New heights
Rudy Gobert is back — and apparently better than ever. After spending a month rehabbing from a grade-2 MCL sprain, Gobert said he was jumping higher than before the injury, topping his previous vertical by an inch.
"Maybe it's just resting and being fresh," he said. "My legs definitely got stronger, but being fresh helps too."
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