Since the sport of boxing is in such sorry shape, here’s an idea:

A pay-per-view bout between Kobe Bryant and Raja Bell. I’d pay the $49.95.

Did you hear what Bell had to say about Bryant on Wednesday, a day after he clotheslined Bryant in Game 5 of the Western Conference playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers?

Bell didn’t just fan the flames of their personal rivalry; he threw a gallon of kerosene on the fire.

“I have no respect for him. I think he’s a pompous and arrogant individual.”

“There don’t seem to be any boundaries or limitations to what he can do to me.”

“When I get hit in the face multiple times you crossed the line with me. That’s not basketball. It’s a personal thing.”

Say this for Bell: He won’t back down from a fight.

And neither will Bryant. He fired back Wednesday, only he used humor as his weapon.

FREE VIDEO 'Does he know me?' May 4: Reacting to Phoenix Suns guard Raja Bell calling him "pompous and arrogant," Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant says "maybe he wasn't hugged enough as a kid." NBC Sports

“I don’t know this guy. I might have said one word to this guy. I don’t know this kid. I think he overreacts to stuff. We go out there, we play the game and leave it at that. Maybe he wasn’t hugged enough as a kid. I look at him a little bit, he gets a little insecure about something. I don’t know.” Told that Bell said both his cheeks are swollen and he could barely open his jaw, Bryant smiled and said, “He has a glass jaw.”

The animosity between the two men — and it’s precisely that — has been one of the most intriguing stories of the NBA playoffs. Unfortunately, we won’t get to see Bryant and Bell exchange words — and elbows — Thursday at the Staples Center.

The NBA suspended Bell for Game 6 of the series.

It was the right decision, the only decision the NBA could make. The league already had suspended Sacramento’s Ron Artest and Miami’s James Posey this postseason for less violent offenses. It couldn’t let Bell off easy.

SUNS VS. LAKERS Phoenix wins series 4-3 Game 7: Suns torch Lakers to advance Lakers have big decisions to make Ventre: Now it's time for Suns to get serious Nash collects second straight MVP Interactive: Playoff defining moments Day-by-day, playoff series schedules

Whatever you might think about Bryant, there’s no place in sports for what Bell did.

He could have seriously hurt Bryant, first with the clothesline, then when he slammed him to the ground. The Suns should consider themselves fortunate Bell wasn’t suspended the rest of the series.

“It’s regrettable,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I’m sure Raja wishes he hadn’t done it. He crossed the line.”

Some of the Suns tried to make a case Wednesday that Bell shouldn’t be suspended. Steve Nash pointed out that Denver’s Reggie Evans wasn’t suspended when he grabbed the, uh, private parts of Los Angeles Clippers’ center Chris Kaman in their recently completed playoff series.

“He got all ball,” D’Antoni joked.

Slide show   Playoff performers Check out the stars who need to shine in the NBA playoffs.

Nash also said the NBA needed to take into consideration the repeated times Bryant had elbowed Bell in the face and the blown calls that went against Phoenix earlier in the series.

“You hope they look at the big picture,” Nash said. “Kobe gets away with whatever he wants and that’s got to frustrate him (Bell).”

Bell pointed a finger at Lakers coach Phil Jackson, saying part of the reason he blew his cool was a remark Jackson made in the fourth quarter after Bell complained to official Greg Willard that Bryant had elbowed him.

“He said, ‘you (expletive-deleted) deserved that,’ ” Bell said. “I thought that was kind of bush league coming from a good coach.”

Slide show   The Week in Sports Pictures Manny messes up, the Tour takes off to Spain, Nomar returns and more. more photos

Jackson recalled the exchange, but without the cursing.

“There was an exchange of words. He was complaining to the referee about the situation in which he got a foul called on him. I told him you’re leaning in there all the time, you deserve that,” Jackson said.

The war of words has obscured, for a moment at least, what a great series this has been. The Lakers seemed in control after their miraculous Game 4 victory, but the Suns rediscovered their offense in Game 5 — scoring a series-high 114 points — and for the first time this series, it was the Lakers who appeared lost.

If nothing else, it will be great drama if Phoenix wins Thursday.

Imagine. Game 7 Saturday.

Bryant vs. Bell. 

Somebody call Don King.

MORE FROM NBA

NBA Section Front

Free agent in '10, or extension now? Antoine Walker led out of casino in handcuffs Wolves' prez will fly to Spain to discuss Rubio Jazz to keep F Paul Millsap Yao says team purchase does not mean retirement Opinion: Iverson should join Heat, not bottom-feeders Bzdelik talks to Timberwolves about coaching job Heat taking a look at Siena standout Winderman: Best even better after free agency   Slideshow: Wheeling, dealing of free agency NBA Section Front   Add NBA headlines to your news reader: