"They didn't pick up the phone to chat or exchange hugs before games, but Raja Bell said he made a point of expressing his appreciation every time he crossed paths with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan in the five years since he left Utah.

With Bell making his return to the Jazz official Monday, general manager Kevin O'Connor said simply, "We're really happy to have somebody back that's as competitive and as caring about wins and losses as our head coach is."

More than just Bell's 3-point shooting and perimeter defense, the Jazz are counting on the 33-year-old guard to serve as the hard-nosed embodiment of what Sloan's teams have been about for the past two decades.

"We always missed what he gave us," O'Connor said, adding, "I don't think we had anybody to accept the challenge over the last [five] years on the perimeter like he did for the two years that he was here."

For his part, Bell said, "I think Jerry feels comfortable that if he asks me to try to run through the door that I try to run through it for him.""