Tearing a page from Playoffs past, Bell pulled a Willis Reed in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals after pulling his calf muscle in Game 1. While Tuesday's contest wasn't a Game 7, Bell hit his first two shots and inspired his teammates, much like Reed did, to win. In this case, a 106-86 thumping of the Mavericks, which helped even the series at 2-2.

Even two-time MVP Steve Nash finds Bell's energy engaging.

"Half our team is a bunch of quiet guys," Steve Nash told the Arizona Republic. "He gives us another guy who opens his mouth once in a while and gives us some toughness and bravado. I just can't say enough about how much his personality means to our team."

And sometimes, inspiration counts as much as perspiration.