The Bratwurst - Milwaukee Bucks Blog

Training camp is well underway, and Charlie Bell is still irritated. Now it’s the free agency system (you know, a big part of the CBA that was negotiated by the union and ratified by the players) that has Bell’s ire:

“I feel like it should just be open for everybody,” Bell said of the NBA’s free agent system. “No restricted (free agency). Let guys go out there and get what they can, and not be held back in any type of way.” (from Charles Gardner’s Journal-Sentinel blog)

Come on, man — if you wanted to be an unrestricted free agent so badly then why have your agent negotiate a long-term deal in the first place? He was one season away from being a UFA. He could have signed a 1 year deal — either the Bucks CBA-mandatded qualifying offer (which was only 900K) or gotten his agent to negotiate a shorter contract with Miami. Take it up with the union, and quit coming up with excuses about how hard it is to motivate yourself.

From the same blog:

Can he finally let it go, Bell was asked.

“Eventually, maybe,” Bell said. “Who is to say? I’m just going to go out there and play, and see what happens.”

Charlie, what if what happens is you have a lousy season? Do you really need people — not just fans but potential trade partners — wondering about your motivation, effort level, and attitude?

Enough of this. It’s time to keep your mouth shut, finish getting into shape, and give your all on the court. Nobody wants to hear this constant complaining, and you don’t want people thinking about your “I don’t know if I can play my best for Milwaukee” remarks after each turnover.