Drew Gordon Has No Heart
by Guest Blogger on Dec 2, 2009 3:45 PM PST
in Basketball
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A guest blog post from Bruin Blue. With his permission we are publishing this post which also went up on Bruin Report Online. GO BRUINS. -N
That of course is what Gordon said about his team last year. "[W]e just don't have enough heart." And what did he mean by that? What is "heart" to Drew Gordon? Playing hard? Doing everything you can to win? Fighting through adversity? He must have meant something like that. Of course, we are not used to seeing a player say something like that about his own team, particularly a freshman who was on a team dominated by seniors who had gone to the FInal Four two or three times. But Gordon decided that they had no heart, and was helpful enough to tell that to someone in the media. I'm sure his teammates appreciated it.
At the time, it seemed like maybe Gordon was a hard-trying player who was so bitterly disappointed at a couple of mid-season losses, that he was just venting out of frustration. But later evidence seems to indicate that Gordon wasn't including himself in that harsh criticism, but was directing it at the players who were playing ahead of him. They had no heart, Gordon believed. When he got in there, he would show us some heart.
Well, this year, he got his chance. He even broke into the starting lineup. He was playing quite a few minutes, doing pretty well, particularly compared to some of the others. But he apparently vehemently disliked the way he was utilized. The specifics are not certain, but probably he didn't like being used at the center spot, thinking that as a sophomore, he deserved to start at the "4," even though I personally have never seen him make a shot over eight feet. Maybe the offensive style utilized by his coach was not to his fancy. Maybe he didn't like to ever be taken out of games, particularly when the coach thought he had made a mistake or two or three. Even though of course the coach took other players out for the same reason, and Gordon was never benched for any extended period.
So Gordon didn't like these things, and he let the coach know about it, right in front of other players. He disrupted practices, muttered profanities at the coach during games. When the coach finally reacted by suspending him for two practices, he and his family decided that, seven games into his sophomore season, he was through. Done. Walked away from his team, his teammates, the program. Not to his liking, you see. He shouldn't have to put up; with not playing the position he wanted to play. He shouldn't have to do what the coaches say, in practice, or in games. He shouldn't have to show respect for the coach, the program, the university, in front of the rest of his team. Why should he? He is Drew Gordon, and he'll do exactly what he wants to do, or he's blowing this scene. "Later, homies," as he apparently wrote on his Facebook or Twitter page.
Of course, I'm entitled to an opinion, too, And mine is that Drew Gordon has no heart. Heart would be doing your very best all season, trying your hardest to help the team win, rooting for your teammates when you are not in there. Realizing that this particular team is not as strong as we all would like, and everyone has to follow the gameplan, listen to the coaches, support their other teammates. Not walk out on all of them because you weren't getting what you wanted, seven games into your sophomore season. Those teammates, they all had their goals, too, individual and team. They all wanted to win, to have a good season. That''s what being a team is--everyone trying to sublimate their own goals to that of the team. Apparently Gordon didn't think that his head coach, who has been coach of the year in three conferences, who has two Sweet Sixteens and three Final Fours in ten years at two major programs he had to rebuild, knew what he was doing. At least Gordon wasn't about to listen to him, or put up with the coach's way of running things. So he left, seven games in. And someone who does that has no heart.
Fortunately for Gordon, the way that the world, and particularly basketball, works these days, is that if you have enough physical talent, you can get away with just about anything. You can be a semi-reformed gangbanger, you can choke your coach, you can father twelve children out of wedlock, you can insult the fans, go into the stands and start attacking them. You can do just about anything. The world is all about you--if you've got the physical goods. And if you do, you get untold riches; lots of money, lots of women, lots of free time. You don't even have to play that hard in the NBA, during the regular season; very few do. So when you have a chance to get that rich, to make it in that way, many people deem it acceptable to put yourself far above anyone else; to push anyone aside in order to make it to the big payoff. And if that means having your parents make comments about how you just didn't like the style your coach played, comments that will undoubtedly damage him and his program, that's just the way it is played these days. And when you walk away from your team, which needed you, that's just what a guy has to do, if he wants to get into the NBA good life. I realize that you are not the first one to follow that creed, although you are about the first one I've seen who walked out on his team seven games into his sophomore season, a season in which he was a starter. But it's a lousy creed, an incredibly selfish one, and I am old-fashioned enough not to buy into any of it.
The man who made this basketball program, the living legend whom the court you have finished playing on is named after, would have seen you for what you were. He wouldn't have tried to ruin your life, he would have let you leave if you chose, because it is your right. But I doubt that you would have ever been recruited by him, because he wanted players with the right attitude, every bit as much as skill. Players who think team first, self second. Players who respect their coach and teammates, and do not let them down seven games into a season. Players who don't hide behind their parents' excuses and thinly veiled condemnations of the coach and program, while they eagerly look forward to going to another program where they might get their own way. Players who act like men, even at a young college age. Players who have heart.
- BB
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I have nothing to add to this
Well stated, Mr. or Ms. Guest Blogger. You are, like it or not, a geezer.
he must be a new species
geezers posting on blogs is an incredibly small demographic, we should consider ourselves lucky to have found such a specimen
by balancedbruin on Dec 2, 2009 3:00 PM PST up reply actions
Passion does not equal heart
Moral standards have skewed so oddly over time that the simple cowardice of quitting, when things aren’t going your way in your own inane mind — DG was playing more than anyone, and his complaints about the offense are nonsensical — and throwing everyone around you under the bus (except yourself) and cursing at your coaches in public is seen as nothing more than a guy showing “heart.”
There’s no question that Gordon has passion. And there is some reason to think that certain upperclassmen, like Dragovic and Keefe, lack it. I think this has tilted people in Gordon’s favor. But passion isn’t the same thing as heart. Nor is it the same thing as courage, or toughness.
BoBo
Sounds like Bobo Morgan is next, his facebook reads “LA days soon to be over …….but im goin out wit a BANG!!!!!! …texas style”. I have no problem with him clearing a scholie.
We need guards
If Bobo doesn’t want to commit himself during practices and dedicate to playing Ben Ball, he can post away in facebook, and go bang somewhere else. Hope Howland then can use his scholie spot for a guard, who would love playing Ben Ball and cherish putting on those four letters.
just changed it
Sounds like he is not leaving now…but what is going on and why are these guys posting this on facebook? C’mon..
Do us a favor
Next time you see facebook posting like this from JMM or any of our basketball players (talking about their status with the program) take a screenshot and email them to us. Thanks Aboya.
While I disagree with our student athletes using facebook and twitter to comment about our program
I am more shocked that some of the players, including JMM, have taken no steps to protect their accounts. Bobo’s facebook page can be viewed by everyone (including the trOJan times), and it’s often statuses or comments made as a joke that turn into the nasty and damaging rumors we try not to listen to
Yep
We follow few of the players via BN twitter account. Of course we will never encourage posting any kind of personal information from those accounts. However, if a player is making those kinds of comments, I think it’s reasonable for reporters or others to take note of it (unless they have decided to protect their private status then you have to respect it).
That's my point
My facebook account is protected, and even then I am still careful about what I say on there. The players have to know that the media is all over them at all times, so for Bobo to post what he did on an unprotected account is very irresponsible. It’s not the media’s fault for reporting a rumor, it’s the player’s fault for allowing them such easy access to that information.
Not to mention
From my understanding the Ath Dept. has repeatedly advised the players about posting messages on twitter/facebook etc and advised them to use discretion. This was done per my understanding even before all the bruhahaha around Carroll’s tweet story in the LAT. I sometimes have to cringe when I read some of the tweets but as 66 pointed out you also have to take into consideration they are 18-22 year old kids.
That said, if someone is 18 he or she should be able to show discretion in the posts they are putting up on twitter/facebook impacting their status on college scholarships and employers. Sometimes there comes a point where these folks have to take responsibility. Not much to ask for. Very interesting topic to discuss.
Absolutely
Every year the athletic department holds Wooden Academy, which is a series of seminars meant to help them adjust to life as a student-athlete. One of those seminars is entirely dedicated to social media and it’s consequences.
I remember a time not so long ago when I was pretty casual about what I did on facebook, so yes I completely understand that its sometimes hard to hold an 18 year old accountable for everything that he or she does online. College is a time of major transition, and boys will be boys so to speak. That is fine, but I feel that because of that every step needs to be taken to make sure those actions are carried out in private. This is where the responsibility lies, no matter what the age.
Definitely a very interesting topic though, and something that a lot of people my age are now having to deal with as they enter the job market. I’ve heard some nightmarish stories about a photo from freshman year costing someone a job 6 or 7 years later. Very hard to come across as a mature adult while answering for mistakes made as a teenager.
Funny
As a member of the band, I was once reprimanded by someone in the athletic department for posting something on bruinsnation a few years ago… :P
lol
Times have changed a LOT since those days. They are coming around and making an effort. The podcast with JJ Stokes last week wouldn’t have happened without the help of folks within Morgan Center.
Obviously this doesn’t mean we will pull back on our criticisms and frank commentary when warranted, but they are making an effort to open up lines of communication. Still we have a long way to go but gotta give them credit for taking some forward thinking steps.
for those not on Twitter or Facebook
It would be great if those of you who use those services share with us any relevant posts you find. Thanks.
formerly AZBruin
obviously I'm a tad slower than N...
having the screen shots would be even better. Obviously he’s able to post whatever he deems relevant.
formerly AZBruin
Turning point moment for this team
Not the JMM facebook status, but DG leaving.
I like JMM new status :
sorry we misunderstood a frustrated comment bruinss im i bruin ..lets turn this season around!!!!!!!!!
This combined with the encouraging comments from JA today has given me hope that they aren’t lost yet. It may very well be one of those situations where friends support each other and say stupid things until one of them goes so far over the line that the other friends realize that its gone too far and its not how they want to act. Hopefully with DG (and JH) now gone, JA, ML, and JMM can be themselves instead of trying to fit in with their misguided classmates.
Just realized that link probably wont work if you aren't signed in to facebook
And it might be in pirate english….please don’t judge. :)
I'm really glad to read this
I find JMM endearing. And after reading the post about him this summer, even more so.
Obviously, the world hasn’t been what he expected — but I’m really please that he is trying to tough it out and make it work.
I think he’s had some strong moments this season. He’s been strong on the boards and has blocked some shots.
In the last game he was doubling down well and forced a turnover.
He’s struggling with the hedge — but we do not have one player doing it well including ND, who has been here a long time.
sjh
What the H does his twitter post even mean?
For a guy with the academics to be at UCLA wouldn’t it be possible to write a real sentence with correct spelling and maybe even some punctuation. This whole twitter thing makes imbeciles out of its users. Coming from a real geezer and proud of it, I think the whole facebook/twitter phenomena (maybe its all of social networking) is alot of egotistical crap that detracts from living life itself. I think CBH would be smart to ask all his team to knock it off if they are on it.
As the parent of a really solid 18 year old
I’ve learned to not even dare to look on her Facebook page or follow her tweets.
This is the world she shares with the kids her age, the place she releases pressure, acts a bit crazy, postures, role plays, uses crazy language and inhabits with a very unrealistic sense of privacy. To her, this a safe world surrounded by her friends.
I would much rather these kids spout off on the wall or with tweets than do things that are more damaging to themselves either emotionally or otherwise.
I don’t think we should take any of this stuff seriously. Much of it is not intended to be.
sjh
er
I don’t know about that. I agree that there are worse things to do than say stupid stuff on your facebook page, but at what point do we start holding kids (and adults) accountable for what they write? If writing is an equally powerful form of expression as speech, isn’t it equally bad to cuss someone out in person as it is on a web page? I’m not saying your daughter is doing these things, mind you, and I agree that most of the stuff on young kids’ pages are harmless. But to waltz through this technogical age without understanding the concept of negative consequences for expressing certain views in a public forum is incredibly foolish (especially without the protection of anonymity). JMM should know better…
We will start holding those kids accountable
when we hold some of the grown ups here accountable for the offensive and stupid things they say. (Actually, in egregious cases, the moderators do.)
But, search on the word “vent” here and read some of the angst filled, often narcissistic, self serving rants — often very nasty — that have been posted by people who later claim that they were just “letting off steam”. And, not all of them would be approved by a grammar teacher or Strunk and White.
Where are the negative consequences for expressing “certain views” around here? The difference? Anonymity.
I think these kids should have the same freedom to be stupid that we do. And, some of them are developing an understanding of context and accountability — note the change in JMM’s Tweet.
Yes, it is stupid for a kid to write poorly or express foolish opinions in the electronic media. And, there are actually consequences as JMM found out. I’ve also heard that some college admissions committees actually go to Facebook accounts and Twitter pages to evaluate “character”; and so do some employers.
But, they are kids and kids see no harm coming there way, and certainly not harm from “words”.
Some of the adults here should know better.
sjh
You hit the nail on the head
It’s unbelievable how much maturing you do in college. Is it fair to be punished at age 22 for something you said at age 18? No, you are 2 completely different people at those ages. But unfortunately that’s the reality of the situation these days. As I was talking with Nestor about above, the problem isn’t this kids doing immature things online, it’s the fact that they are not protecting themselves from the consequences. Bobo, Carroll, even Gordon will undoubtedly mature, but it is a process full of mistakes, mistakes that are better served in private. The best thing is to not have a facebook, twitter, etc, to vent on, but if you do just crank up the privacy settings. That’s all we should ask of them at this point
I would never punish anyone for what he or she says on Facebook or Tweetbook or whatever it's called.
The reason is that I can’t understand anything they say. It sounds like pure gibberish to me.
I guess you don't share my feelings. To each his own.
If it has its place in a normal life and doesn’t become obsessive, OK. But when its used to spread immature, perhaps hateful, meaningless garbage, or it is used as a substitute for the ability to have normal human interaction (meaning in person), or it (like video games) takes up time better spent in productive endeavors, then I say its a negative self indulgence. In the context of DG’s behavior vis a vis his team, university and family its apparent that the use of twitter is just a part of the egotism that drives him. Unfortunately I see this type of behavior and self importance in all too many youthful venues. But I won’t generalize. And I tip my hat to you, 66, if you’ve been successful in raising a teen who has been able to put it all in perspective.
Actually we do share a lot of the same feelings
Jenny writes beautifully — far better than I do, and I’ve been paid a lot of money to write. Her Tweets and Facebook posts are poetic. But, that’s the world in which she travels as a student in a high pressure high school filled with overachievers.
I struggle all the time with trying to figure out when she is spending “too much” time on the computer — but because she lives such a full life and is doing so well in school I don’t say anything. We’ve been in Texas 7 years, yet Jen has maintained close ties with the kids she went to school with in CA, ties with the kids she’s met from around the country in summer programs and classes.
What we were hearing from DG was incomprehensible to us, and I’ll bet to many. But, he survived an academic year at UCLA — so I figure when he needs to communicate with people like us, he can.
I guess I’m very tolerant of expression and don’t want to impose on others either my style or sense of propriety. (Even here I don’t want people censored — I’d rather fight them with words.)
Bottom Line: I’m less offended by what DG said or is saying than I am about what he’s done.
sjh
Winners never quit and Quitters never win
I think it is safe to say we know where DG falls.
I couldn’t agree more with the post or with bluebland’s comments. I think DG is going to find that despite his “phone ringing off the hook”, he is going to be viewed as damaged goods by any top program and certainly by NBA GMs. Its one thing if he had elite talent, but unfortunately for DG, he is just a dime a dozen 6-8 energy player with no real basketball skills.
He doesn't have the body strength
or shot to warrant even a glance from any NBA GM right now. His best hope is to follow the lead of Barnes and Ariza, work his tail off for the next 5 or 6 years, then maybe be ready for the pros. I guess I’d say I wish him luck, though I haven’t seen much reason to think well of him lately.
formerly AZBruin
Barnes also had issues with his emotion
Then he decided to work his rear end off and do everything he can to succeed at UCLA. He did that despite not getting any semblance of coaching from Lavin.
Barnes had a skillset though
Even when he was a role player in his first couple of years, he could still play multiple positions, handle the ball, played fluidly, and shot decently. He blossomed his senior year and I for one thought it was just because he was older than his competition that he was playing well. Barnes also was the fortunate beneficiary of being on Golden State’s run and gun team for their one good year which helped catapult him into an NBA mainstay.
Although it should be noted that Barnes still has emotion issues as his recent fine for throwing the ball into the stands following Orlando’s loss to Miami indicates. Nevertheless, I’m proud of him for making the most of his talent and finding his way.
You are right about the skillset point re Barnes
They became apparent by his senior season. However, I must say I was surprised to see him come around and develop the way he did. I was afraid he was going to leave the program and flame out the same way Rush did. His senior year along with the ones from Watson, Kapono were few shining lights during the darkest seven year period of UCLA hoops.
WIll never forget
When Billy Knight drained a three from the right corner to beat USC in, I want to say, 2002 or 2003. What a shot!
Gordon has a very nice game
Drew is a face the basket player that, out of desperation, UCLA played as a post player. A lot of these kids aren’t allowed to play with the offensive freedom they had in high school were they shined bright enough to be named to numerous All-everything lists, invited to represent this country we live in and get offered a full-ride to the school we all love. Let’s not bash the kid. He was immature, very emotional, and wasn’t happy with his role. Wish him well and let’s pull for the guys that actually want to play here. He has a jumper and a nice handle too. I don’t think any of us can tell what type of player he truly is when, like several other players on this current team, they feel hamstrung by a system that doesn’t allow them to utilize all their abilities. These guys were all heavily recruited by big named programs so the talent didn’t just disappear overnight. A lot of the play comes from a lack of confidence in a system that the players themselves feel doesn’t work. These guys all are hard workers or they wouldn’t have made it to this point in their careers. Let’s not kid ourselves, without Luc Richard’s ability to defend three positions and the versatility of Westbrook CBH’s defensive scheme was poked full of holes last year and this year looks even worse.
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.
Depends on his response
Gordon’s has issues and frustration with CBH’s system. Fine. If he takes the high road (as CBH did) and parts ways peacefully – then absolutely I wish him well and support him trying to find his proper place.
If he channels J’rue and trashes UCLA on the way out, the way his parents have a bit, then he gets no sympathy and no support and is inviting criticism.
You are right that certain players and CBH’s system are square pegs and round holes. CBH’s system works well (to the tune of Final 4’s) with the right players. The key will be finding those players.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Guest Blogger - well stated!
Maybe I’m a geezer (geezerette?), too, but this sense of entitlement seems to be a generational thing – fortunately not everybody, tho.
As the original Geezer
quickly joined by my brother Fox, I’m pleased to see so many people joining our ranks — if not in age and declining ability – in terms of perspective and values.
Fox, I think we should open the doors and let all who aspire to be Geezers become Geezers. No, you’ll have to excuse me. It’s 4:30 here and time for the Seniors special 2 for 1 at IHOP.
sjh
I guess I am a "Semi Geezer"
that has the same values. I was only a pup when I became a fan on UCLA and what it stood for back in ‘65. I can only imagine what my dad would have said about the goings on of this past week. A Bruin fanatic from back in the ’40’s. I am sure Coach Wooden’s name would have entered the conversation at some point. My dad is no longer with us and up until I found Bruin Nation, I really missed our Bruin talks. It’s nice to find so many who appreciate the school and what it has always stood for. Thank you BN for sitting in for my dad and giving me a buddy to hang out with during and after the games.
Great article “Guest Blogger”, you said very well what most of us were thinking.
Almost all chronological geezers are "Geezers."
But some people have geezerdom thrust upon them. I was complimented by an Econ prof (George Hilton, who taught Trains) who told me I was the youngest member of the older generation that he had ever seen. In other words, I made geezerdom as an undergrad.
Recruiting Mistake?
These lines are telling and provocative.
The man who made this basketball program, the living legend whom the court you have finished playing on is named after, would have seen you for what you were. He wouldn’t have tried to ruin your life, he would have let you leave if you chose, because it is your right. But I doubt that you would have ever been recruited by him, because he wanted players with the right attitude, every bit as much as skill.
There has been a lot of discussion here about how a class that was ranked #1 in the nation is struggling to live up to the predictions of its success.
I think that label placed a burden on them and raised our expectations.
If it takes a couple of years until their skill sets are worthy of the ranking, so be it.
But, the passage I quote doesn’t talk about on court skills. It talks about character. If Coach would have seen through some of these kids and would not have recruited them, why didn’t we do the same?
Is the world so different that coaches have to let the “character” standard slide in favor of skills?
I don’t think so. Look at what CBH did with AA, JS, PAA, LRM, RN, LRMM, and MR.
The real question is whether we got fooled by DG, and to some extent his parents (because, coaches must have radar that tells them when parents will enable kids to act like divas) or whether he changed once he was here. If the latter, I wonder what influenced and supported those changes.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Dec 2, 2009 2:14 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Here, here
JF, AA, PAA, LRMM, DC, JS, LMR and some of the others from CBH’s earlier classes came here when there was nothing but the promise of good things to come under a new coach. Aside from the hiring of CBH, it was a truly bleak time for UCLA Basketball. They could have gone anywhere, but they came here. Those guys took a chance and built something great at UCLA. Their hard work and effort took us all to three Final Fours.
Our freshmen last year came into an entirely different situation. UCLA was elite again. They were the chosen ones and we were excited to get them. But expectations on their end were radically different. Apparently, there was a sense of entitlement for some of them. All they had to do was throw on their UCLA jersey and they would keep winning. But you do have to fill that jersey with something and a 6-8 body is not enough to fill it. It does take heart.
by Westwood is the best wood on Dec 2, 2009 3:44 PM PST up reply actions
Brilliant,
and written with heart. Beautifully, perfectly stated. And, thanks, too, Nestor, for finding and posting this gem.
gordon's mom says it all:
“The timing is terrible: It looks like he’s leaving because they lost a bunch of games.” THEY lost a bunch of games. Not we. There is no we in me.
Moreover,
we have this from his mother:
"We wanted to make the change now rather than wait and hope the situation gets better. The timing is terrible: It looks like he’s leaving because they lost a bunch of games. But that’s not what happened.’’
and this from his father:
“It came from the frustration of being with UCLA and losing to the teams they were losing to,” Gordon’s father, Ed, said. “With the talent that’s on the UCLA team, there’s absolutely no reason for that to happen.”
Seemingly, a contradiction, but not really. His father speaks to the reality of it, while his mother speaks to their concern for how it appears. In the minds of the selfish, these are compatible thoughts.
I wouldn't
put too much emphasis on the word “they,” in that it was his parents who made those statements, not Gordon. Gordon’s actions, though, speak loudly of “me,” rather than “we,” so your point remains.
I So Appreciate This Post
Thank you. At first I felt devastated when I heard the news DG was leaving, but then I began to think about those little “acting out” moments I noticed while watching Drew play last year and this short season. I too attributed these to a young man of passion, but could clearly see tension surfacing between DG and CBH. I guess that “passion” was little more than an immature boy’s response to not getting his way. Those were moments “on the court”, but now that I am reading negative comments about his disruptive demeanor in class (LAT blog) and how he carried himself at football games, etc., I say “See ya.” UCLA deserves better and it is coming.
Fabulous Forum Post Dec. 1, 2009: UCLA basketball: Gordon's departure prompted by suspension
Read Mark’s comment regarding an American History class he took w/DG. Obviously no way to verify, but he seems sincere, and he’s a “geezer” like me.
Hmm
Guess you are referring to this:
I am a 48 year old adult male who took an American History class w/ Drew Gordon in the Summer of 2007 @ UCLA. The class had about 120 people or so in it; he was in it with a couple of buddies, and a girlfriend of his. Gordon was absolutely the most inconsiderate, belligerent person I have ever seen in such a public setting. He was talking loudly and acting belligerently -it was really quite unbelievable. The professor literally finally started screaming at him to leave “if he was only going to disrupt the class.” That particular professor is always quite friendly to athletes -if that gives you additional insight to the boorish behavior.
I’m a really relaxed guy, but Gordon was so out of line, I almost called Howland immediately after class.
Needless to say, I wasn’t surprised to see this story at all.
True story.
Still, I rather see this stuff being substantiated before taking it as gospel. I don’t have a lot of faith in comments in blogs/online forums unless they are coming from folks who have a solid track record (referring to prior posting history showing credibility and substance) in that community. In this case, even though on its face it seems credible, we shouldn’t run with it unless we hear more corroboration of it.
Either he is lying, or mistaken
because the earliest DG could take a class @ UCLA would be Summer 2008. He was still in high school in 2007. I used to see him, BoBo, Jrue and Lee walk to class every mon-wed-fri morning @ 9 on my way to Haines Hall in August of 2008. Those "buddies’’ were prob JH and ML. And if he’s 48, why would he be taking a frosh history course? He would be a transfer, having completed underclassmen work. Either that or he sat in on the class, which happen a lot, and is just as disrupting to students.
Bruin-4-Life!!!
I agree with this post
right up to the part where he starts ranting about how (the incomparable) Coach Wooden would have seen him for what he was, and never recruited him.
With all due respect, Coach Wooden was not on the recruiting trail and interviewing Drew Gordon, and the point is moot.
If we want to pop off at DG for being less that what we expect from a UCLA student-athlete, fine. But I am extremely wary of the mentality that is
“something went wrong here…. this would never have happened under John Wooden’s watch!!”
I can’t read that last paragraph without it seeming like an attack on CBH, and I would rather people didn’t use the unquestionable greatness of the Wizard of Westwood as a stick with which to beat one of the finest coaches currently in the NCAA, or to backhandedly imply the CBH ignores character when recruiting players to UCLA.
Such comments are unfair to any coach who will ever run our basketball team, and, frankly, take the name of John Wooden in vain.
Agreed
Plus it gives credence to Lavin’s whole “no coach can ever make it at UCLA because the fans have unrealistic expectations” theme. I don’t think the author meant it as an attack on CBH as much as it was of a “Gordon isnt what a Bruin should be” comment, but I could definitely see how it could be taken that way.
Let the divorce be the divorce and move on
There was clearly more to the story yesterday than we knew. Yet we all posted (including me numerous times). I said CBH may have given him an ultimatum and it seems like there is some validity to my speculation.
One person mentioned that it was divorce and divorces happen when each side realizes the other is not going to change.
I dont know that means DG does not have heart. I dont know and suspect we dont know all the facts.
I grant he is a quitter….leaving in mid-season stinks. I suspect it has to do with him trying to be available for the second semester/quarter at whatever school he transfers to but I don’t know the intimacies of the redshirt rule. There may be more to this than we still know given it is the end of a quarter.
I grant that the timing stinks given it was such a lousy week for the good guys.
But lets be like Mike Roll: focus on moving on successfully from here.
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Dec 2, 2009 5:43 PM PST reply actions
"Followers"
Somewhere in this thread or another posters stated that DG’s statement thanking his “followers” for their support was arrogant. That it was presumptuous to claim “followers”.
My 17 year old just told me that “follower” is a word of art on Twitter meaning “subscribers”.
In that context, nothing arrogant about DG’s Tweet.
sjh
Correct, now for my geezer moment
I guess I will put my honorary geezer hat on for this rant. But the choice of Twitter to call people who subscribe to each other “followers” to me speaks to the bigger “look at me” ideals that are so common place with the youth of today. Many people who are now in college grew up with helicopter parents who believe their child can do no wrong leading to their kids being spoiled and not understanding what the word “no” is. My mom is a vice-principal at an elementary school and she tells me stories all the time about kids who get in fights and instead of their parents being upset at their child, instead look for anyone and everyone to blame. In this way, Drew and his parents are sadly the rule and not the exception.
Man I feel old. Ok, geezer moment over, back to being in my 20s.
Rampant Entitlement and Displacement
My friends and family who teach in K-12 have run into parents who think their parents are entitled to high grades whether or not the do the work or score well on the tests. When kids their kids are not doing well, the parents attack the teachers. My parents would have gone after me.
I think we see some of that in DG’s apparent blaming of CBH for DG’s inability to score and shine.
I feel so fortunate that I taught in a Law School where I did not have to worry about motivation and I was never visited by the parents of a student I flunked.
sjh
Poncho there's a big difference between
sometimes thinking like a Geezer and “feeling” like a Geezer.
The physical sensations define the status. When you ache getting up of the floor or out of the Barcolounger, you are a Geezer.
sjh
I guess you think
that the people who like to ‘follow the news’ are starry-eyed worshippers of the media?
Presumably not. Following needn’t imply worship, just showing an interest.
People ‘follow’ each other on Twitter. I follow you, you follow me, etc. To take just the noun ‘follower’ out of context and make some sociological point seems wrongheaded. The fact that messages on twitter are called ‘tweets’ could equally be a demonstration that people are downplaying the importance of their own words. The choice of ‘friends’ as the word for people who connect to each other on Facebook could be taken as a sign that current generations are more open and friendly than older generations who would have had referred to the number of ‘acquaintances’ they had on a social networking site.
Your preference for people to ‘subscribe’ to other people implies (in common usage) that they pay a subscription fee to receive content, which isn’t the case with twitter. Follow seems fine as the term of art. If I can be ‘following the news about Tiger Woods’, why shouldn’t I be following someone’s twitter feed?
Again I ask the question -
Why use words which are susceptible to many meanings, simply because they are chic or hip or cool? “Follower” generally carries with it the notion that a person “follows” another person out of respect or loyalty or because of the respective position of “follower” and “leader” in the particular hierarchy involved.
I remember a few years ago when “bad” sometimes meant “bad” and sometimes it meant “good.” I write for a living. If I wrote the way this generation talks and writes, I doubt that I would have had the modest success I had that enabled me to retire at a relatively young age. But kids don’t believe anecdotal stories like that. They think they can steep themselves in one culture, but interview without that culture showing through. Most people my age have had the heartwarming task of sifting through resumes. The good part of that was I automatically tossed out the ones with typos, which cut the stack about in half. And then during interviews, I put the dreaded black dot on the top of any resume when the applicant used “like” or ’you know" or used the verbs “to go” and “to say” as synonyms. Basically, I ended up inviting only near-geezers for a second interview.
But you young folks don’t have to believe me. Go ahead and send out resumes without proofreading (which is not the same as spellchecking.) Go ahead and assume that the person interviewing you is your age and shares your background and your lexicon, rather than assuming only that you share a common language. And you to, like most trOJan graduates, will learn to say those magic words: “Do you want fries with that?”
Oh, and by the way – re facebook and twitter: I know of one apparently good plaintiff’s case that tanked because of facebook. I know of another plaintiff’s case that was settled at the defendant’s price because of stuff that was found on the internet about the two plaintiffs. I don’t understand the need to share what people share on facebook. I’m on it to get pictures which the chorus takes during opera season. But sheesh – some of the stuff that people feel compelled to share with the entire world. Most of the time I just don’t care, and most of the rest of the time it’s too much information.
Anyway, end of rant. Here’s to a return to greatness for Bruin football, Bruin basketball and the English language.
Oh, My Good Friend Fox ---
Do you not recall the words of our time? Did the ever present “bitchin” have anything to do with a female dog?
We aim our words at our audience.
These kids, in THESE communications, don’t want us to understand them — in the same way we did not want our parents and elders to understand some of our communications. They are deliberately limiting their audience and excluding us.
I used to torment Jen by using “her” words. The first time I rolled my eyes and said “whatever” she had a fit and said “you can’t use that word”. My response, “Snap”. That didn’t go over either.
The key is whether they can use the right words with the right audience — be understood by those they want to understand them.
Most of these kids can. DG and JMM both got through a year of UCLA. I don’t think you can do that without writing prose that can be universally understood.
sjh
PS. Once more, for however we react to it, the term “follower” was selected by Twitter to mean those to whom tweets are broadcast. DG did not label anyone a follower — Twitter did. Just as Facebook calls them “friends”. On Facebook, many here are “friends” with CBH and CRN. Do you think either of our coaches has any idea who they are?
Now, will one of you young people please pass the bran to Fox and me?
sjh
See, that's what I mean
These ostensibly universal communications are written in code which I assume to be generationally inspired. When I write, I write with the goal of having my thoughts written coherently and capable of being understood by anyone with an elementary school education. That’s one of the differences between geezers and non-geezers, I guess.
Press On
Been a while since i have posted. Sucks to see Gordon go, had the potential to be a post presence, too bad he lacked the discipline. I guess thats part of the me generation. What I would really like to know is, what was it that Coach Howland said or promised to the sophs to get them to come to Ucla.
Respect
Believe it or not, I actually respect Drew Gordon for doing this. Better it happen now, than have his toxic attitude infect the rest of our team the rest of the season. It’s kind of like that negative nelly that works in your office—quit if you hate it so much. The office will be so much better off without you.
I Couldn't Agree More
I have been off of BN for a few weeks—travel, serious illness in my family—and when my husband told me he saw that Drew had quit, I was stunned. (Kudos to Coach Howland for keeping DG’s disruptive crap out of the headlines for so long.)
I find it slightly ironic that at the same time we are appropriately praising Kevin Craft for years of dedication, loyalty and incredible John-Wooden style team spirit, we have to face that this talented young sophomore who demands that the world around him essentially bow to his every desire and win every game. (Honestly, I don’t care how his comments on fb or Twitter are “interpreted,” he’s a traitorous, spolied brat, IMHO.)
And thank you, Michael Roll, for your focused, positive comments.
" Let’s Go!"
Love My Bruins
Great point about the NBA
Which is by far the worst of all pro sports for the very reasons you just stated. It still amazes me that anyone spends their hard-earned money on tickets to that joke of a league.
Prices and quality
It is amazing how low the quality has gotten with the current high prices. A few teams are good and can possibly be worth it, but watching the NBA on most nights is extremely boring.
After Artests statement that he used to drink at halftime, NBA has serious issues regarding pay and motivation for its players. I’m sure Drew Gordon will fit in just fine.
Everyone makes mistakes, even Coach Wooden
I am not a fan of Gordon from the first time he opened his mouth with no credibility; to his first unnecessary elbow to someone’s chest; and then now. The solid article assumes he is headed for the NBA, but as someone said somewhere, he’s never made a shot over 8 feet, definitely tough for a 6’8" guy in the NBA. Compare him to Stanback, but Chace was a big stud in high school that just folded in big games, while Gordon was barely 3-stars. How about this angle, we’ve got Josh Smith comng in next year (signed) and what are the chances that he’s another BoBo? If not, where does that put Gordon? Mata was a man and could accept K-Love taking his spot, could Gordon? Heck no.
As to Coach Wooden, there once was a player named Edgar Lacey who he recruited and had problems with. Of course Edgar was like a top 10 player in the country out of Jefferson High School and he eventually quit. It’s not a mistake, but sometimes the interaction between a coach and player, no matter their greatness, just doesn’t work. I was so happy when Edgar signed with UCLA and so sad when it left.
The Bird
I loved Edgar Lacey, too.
But, things don’t always fit.
I changed majors at UCLA at least 3 times and finally found my right place.
sjh
Comparing eras
It’s unfair to any coach to compare them to Wooden. The athlete today has options that weren’t present in 60’s-70’s, the NCAA field is larger and more competitive, etc. I think it is fair to compare Jim Harrick’s (1988-96) tenure to Howland’s (2003-present). The results might shock you.
Harrick compiled a 192-62 record, 2 Sweet 16’s, 2 Elite 8’s, 1 Final Four and a 1995 NCAA championship. Howland’s record counting this season is 147-53, 3 Sweet 16’s, 3 Elite 8’s, 3 Final Fours. Both took over the program in similar states. Once could argue that Harrick had much better success recruiting higher profile players. The knock on Harrick was the early flame outs his teams suffered in the NCAA tourney. Howland has risen the profile of the program considerably, with a rosters, again, arguably, less talented than that of his predecessor.
Everybody is upset about the departure of DG and the way this year has started, but, frankly let’s not forget where we were seven years ago. Trust Howland, his system has proven to work. It’s incumbent on the players to work hard and the coach to adapt to their talent and put his team in a position to win. As bad as UCLA has looked so far the team is a couple of missed free throws away from being 4-2 and moving forward.
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.
I just can't believe this kid
would leave this early into the season when the team is still coming together and needs him. He is something. I hope this team comes together and wins the Pac-10. And reading up above, if J’Mison Morgan wants to leave, THEN GET OUT! This is UCLA and this coach is a winner. He won over 100 games in 3 seasons. It might not be pretty sometimes, but if you want to win, just listen to him, do what he says, and shut up!
Also, you’re getting a highly respected and coveted degree from one of the best universities in the land. Another thing, the NBA has already said collectively by drafting Bruins that they appreciate Howland’s coaching. Phil Jackson himself said it. He teaches toughness and togetherness.
Gordon’s draft status or pick would not have been jeopardized with Howland’s system. Once Howland gets the players to play his brand of defense, he lets them loose anyway, as long as they stay disciplined on the defensive end. Gordon could have had it all.
And that blog entry was great. Very well done.
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