Bucks sign Charlie Bell by matching Heat offer
Sep 20th, 2007 by Inside Hoops
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Charlie Bell to a multi-year contract, General Manager Larry Harris announced today. Bell originally signed an offer sheet with Miami on September 17, and because of his restricted free agent status, the Bucks had one week to determine whether to match the Heat offer.
“From a basketball standpoint, signing Charlie was an easy decision. He is a terrific player and a very important part of what we are doing both this season and in the future,” said Harris. “We’ve said all along that we wanted to have him remain on our team. Charlie is a high-character individual first and foremost, and he gives it his all in practice, in games and in the community.
“Once again, this decision continues to show Senator Kohl’s commitment to winning and to the community by keeping Charlie on our team,” Harris added.
Bell, 28, enjoyed a breakout season for the Bucks last year, posting career-high averages of 13.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 34.7 minutes per game. He scored double-digits in 60 games, including 20 games of 20 points or more. He ranked 5th in the NBA in steal-to-turnover ratio (0.92:1) and T-32nd in steals per game (1.18). Bell (6-3, 200) scored a season-high 28 points on three separate occasions and was also the only Buck to appear in all 82 games (64 starts).
“It’s been a long and emotional process for Charlie and his family throughout the summer,” said Bell’s agent, Mark Bartelstein. “The Bucks, however, have demonstrated how important Charlie is to their team, both now and in the future.
“Senator Kohl, along with Larry Harris and the Bucks organization, continue to prove that they will do whatever they can to bring a winner to Milwaukee,” Bartelstein added.
Not drafted out of Michigan State University, Bell originally signed with the Bucks on August 8, 2005 and averaged 8.4 points, 2.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds during the 2005-06 campaign.
“I look at Charlie as that final piece of the puzzle,” said Head Coach Larry Krystkowiak. “Charlie is a consummate pro who gives us versatility at a number of positions. He is a tough, hard-nosed player who never takes the easy way out. I’m really excited about the make-up of our roster as we head into training camp next month.”
Charlie brown, I mean Charlie Bell is a good basketball player, I mean good as in average. Nobody even drafted the guy. The Milwaukee Bucks gave the guy a break, and how did he show his apreciation, he ask for a arm and leg for compensation and said he never wanted to play for the Bucks. Where was Miami when his butt first came into the league when he was a nobody unknown. I believe he worth 3 million dollars a year and not a penny more. At one point i think they were asking 5 million a year. The Cleveland Cavilers have some better restricted free agents, I wonder why Pat Riley don’t try to still none of there players. Anyway Miami Heat thanks for doing all our dirty work so that all we had to do is match your offer.
Pat Riley doesnt “steal” players…its called free agency, idiot.
Charlie Bell stank… he is a solid average player. Last year, he averaged 13/3/3 and he was 28 years old. He isn’t going to improve much in his 29th year. Furthermore, with Yi Jianlian and a maturing Bogut and Villaneuva, it’s fairly obvious in which the direction the Bucks want to grow. Charlie was right for trying to get out of Milwaukee. Their game isn’t suited for him. Problem is, not many teams are. He had the right idea which was to try and tack on to a championship bound team as a reserve, make a contribution, and win a ring. He might have fit in with Phoenix, Dallas, Cleveland maybe the Spurs or Jazz and even Detroit since they are looking for a third guard since Delfino left.
Another possibility is that Pat Riley knew that Milwaukee had the fiinancial resources and the desire to match the offer and he swung a little gamesmanship by offering Bell five million which he knew was not worth it….and then force Milwaukee to match which he figured they would do all along. This would be a great play on Riley’s part since Milwaukee will have less money in the future to resign Charlie V and Bogut (I believe their rookie contracts expire after this season or next) and allow Miami to make a play for either Charlie or Bogut. This makes great sense since Shaq is getting old real fast and Haslem isn’t all that great either. Getting Charlie or Bogut in Miami is probably what Riley wants more than Bell. Bell may have been just a pawn in Riley’s Chess match…