© Jerome Miron | 2018 Nov 17
We now have an idea why Jordan Bell was suspended by the Warriors for Wednesday’s game vs. Memphis, via a report by Anthony Slater and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Bell reportedly made a purchase at the team hotel Tuesday night, a purchase that ended up being charged, unknowingly, to assistant coach Mike Brown. What exactly was charged, and how much, we don’t know, but there is apparently concern that this isn’t the first time Bell “has pulled this maneuver on some unknowing member of the organization,” according to the report.
Via The Athletic:
“Brown was alerted to the charge. He inquired about it. The staff at The Peabody hotel, where the team stayed, confirmed its purchase. So the Warriors launched a quick investigation and it became clear that Bell is the one who put it on Brown’s bill.”
On Tuesday afternoon, the team released a statement saying that Bell had been suspended for one-game for “conduct detrimental to the team.” The release did not elaborate why, nor did Steve Kerr pre-game.
“The release was self-explanatory,” Kerr said. “He’s suspended for tonight’s game for conduct detrimental to the team. Beyond that, it’s our business and nobody else’s. We’ll move on.”
Bell’s lack of maturity, both on and off the court, has been an issue since he joined the Warriors. An incredible athlete who at times flashes an elevated basketball IQ, Bell’s lack of focus has kept him from locking down a permanent rotation spot in either of his first two seasons, despite the Warriors’ frequent glaring need at the center position. Kerr himself has on more than one occasion appeared visibly frustrated by Bell during games, something that came to a head earlier this year when the two got into a heated argument on the Warriors’ sideline.
The Athletic report also detailed an incident that took place last year, where Bell did not attend a “optional” practice during the first round of the playoffs. Bell’s decision bothered the coaching staff, as the practice was only supposed to be optional for “players who had logged big minutes the night before.” Andre Iguodala reportedly delivered that message to Bell.
Bell is slated to become a restricted free agent this summer.