Bryant, Odom and coach Phil Jackson all said they had hoped Bell wouldn't be
suspended.
"I let him play, take on the challenge for the next game," Bryant said.
"We'd like to have their whole team on the floor," Jackson said.
"It's too bad he's not playing," Odom said.
When asked if the Lakers were playing a clean series, Odom replied: "Of
course. We're classy gentlemen."
"It's the playoffs, nobody wants to lose," he added. "Two great leaders in
Nash and Kobe. Two great coaches, two great systems. We're just smacking each
other in the face. We've been able to play a physical game without getting
dirty, without taking cheap shots."
Bryant said he was surprised by Bell's action.
"I don't think anyone expects to get clotheslined during a basketball game,"
he said. "I don't know this guy. I don't want to. I think he overreacts to
stuff."
Bryant smiled and walked away after Bell's shot. When asked about that
Wednesday, he replied: "I retaliate and I miss a game. For this guy?"
In Phoenix, Bell repeated that throwing down Bryant was wrong, but explained
what led to the foul and made clear his dislike for the Lakers' star.
"I have no respect for him," Bell said. "I think he's a pompous, arrogant
individual."
Bell said he had been repeatedly hit in the face by Bryant during the game.
"I got a bruised cheek here and I can barely open my jaw on this side," he
said, indicating the left side of his face, "and that didn't come from nowhere,
and I felt like I'd had enough of that."
When informed of Bell's remarks, Bryant said: "That's what he said? Maybe he
has a glass jaw. Maybe he wasn't hugged enough as a child. He's a good defender,
he's a good basketball player. Just go out and play the game, don't go out there
and whine about it."