Another Loss Another Night of Hatred

by Class of 66 on Mar 14, 2009 9:35 AM PDT Comment 39 comments

The Same Message As A Few Weeks Ago Without the F Bombs

I have been bleeding Blue and Gold longer than most people here. I, too, suffer in defeat -- and losing to sc is NEVER acceptable. But, it is also NEVER acceptable to relieve one's own frustrations and pain, in a hostile, public, way, at the expense of the kids who represent our school. I know, we come here to vent to make ourselves feel better. But, this is not a therapists couch where we get to undergo primal scream therapy in a quiet room. This is a public place where the scream is heard around the world, including by our current and future players.

I hate it when the lizard whines about Westwood's unreasonable expectations. He's a complete douche bag trying to cover for his own failures. But, we give credence to his unfounded complaints when we heap hate on our very own kids. I will never advocate censorship. But, I do wish we could all use some judgment. It is one thing to say someone had a bad game, to point to bad plays or numbers and quite another to "wish" them gone or challenge their heart or commitment.

A few weeks ago, after a troubling loss, I wrote these same sentiments but in a more aggressive way. Today, we get the family rated version. But the message is the same.

I started to write this post as a note in LVBruin's FanPost which takes on the Jrue haters. I have written quite a bit in defense of Jrue in the last few weeks and applaud LV's efforts. I am posting this separately so as to not hijack his analysis and turn the discussion in another direction. I cannot help but believe that Jrue is "hated in advance" because we all feel he is going to break up with us at the end of the season -- that we feel that we have been used and sullied by a one-and-done who we don't believe gave us enough for the year in the UCLA limelight. That is on us, not Jrue. So long as we accept one-and-dones, we have to get used to their leaving after one. And, whatever chance we have of getting them to stay is destroyed by the ugly and vitriolic attacks on this really fine young man who has accepted a year of playing out of position, has deferred to the seniors in their roles as leaders, and has done his best. No matter what he does, he gets criticized. Pass up shots in deference to others, and he is attacked. Drive and shoot (last night) and miss, and he is attacked. Guess what. Last night the entire team shot under 30%, not just Jrue. Jrue made major contributions last night, as he has all season. Last night, while he was playing at the point, I thought he did a very good job for a freshman. In fact, there are many long-time-posters here who have been calling for him to play the point all season. He does and does a good job and the attacks continue. Why am I writing? I cannot help but be upset when a group of grown ups vent and take out their frustrations on a kid -- a good kid doing his best -- over a basketball game. (By the way, some of the hatred spilled over to DC, too, who was probably playing hurt. Unconscionable.)

We all feel bad about the loss. But I suggest we find a way to deal with it, to feel better, without using a public forum to spew ugly hatred on the guys who have had a very good year and, next week, will step onto a Madness floor wearing our colors.

They are Bruin brothers and they deserve better. Rant over. (And, no, I don't feel better having written this. I feel bad that I feel compelled to do so.)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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well said

I understand being let down by his play this year, but as i said yesterday, i don’t understand how people could say they hate him and want him out of here. If he were to stay, he would undoubtedly be our best guard on the floor every night, and I hope he takes the opportunity to become a star next year, because I believe he can do it.

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 14, 2009 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Losing sucks but...

I agree, it totally was not JH’s fault. He wasn’t expected to come in his freshman year and be the leader—-if that was your expectation, then you must’ve been delusional.

I thought JH did very well playing the point at times and had a few great defensive stops. It was just unfortunate we could not convert on those opportunities. The reason for us losing was a lack of heart and focus as a TEAM. It wasn’t any single player’s fault. They all should have been grabbing those boards after missed FTs and should have taken care of the ball better during crucial parts of the game.

I can’t believe people would want JH gone after this one game. Do you guys have any idea what that would do to our guard depth next year? Sure, he might be one and done regardless of what we want, but to say you WISH he would be gone next year does no good for our program. Are you guys the same people who wished DC went to the NBA after his performance against Memphis last year? Or maybe you wished he went to the NBA after seeing last night’s game. Give me a break.

These kids are great not only because they are great basketball players, but because they have the class and character off the court that makes us proud to be Bruins. We don’t have the douche bags like Hackett and Taj Gibson with his dirty elbows representing our four letters. I’ll take class and pride with an occasional heart breaking loss over the fleeting joy of cheering on some SUC pricks anyday.

by BMV268 on Mar 14, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Am imperfect storm

I was working on my own post to this effect when yours went up, ’66 – thanks for saving me the trouble.

I stayed out of the game thread last night – it had been good karma lately, and then I went to bed after the game, knowing that the post-game thread was gonna look like someone just kicked over an anthill. But I watched the whole game and was very disappointed in the team’s execution and intensity and the result. But it ends there.

This is where it’s gut-check time for the Bruins. And I’m referring to the fans, and not the team. CBH and DC and JS and PAA have enough maturity and BB acumen to see what happened and to figure out what changes and improvement are needed. What kills me is seeing “loyal fans” rain down hatred on our team.

Last night was the perfect storm. It’s post season time, so tension and hopes and stakes, and interest from the bandwagoners, is at its highest. We played our hated rivals – where nothing beats winning and nothing hurts like losing. We played very poorly, some in part to the laudable intensity and effort from $cjc, and much from our own lack of intensity and lack of execution. All this together spins up the frustration and anger and pain from the fans. And this engenders all sorts of emotions…

When I read Nestor’s comments this morning, I see a Bruin fan who, in the aftermath of last night’s game, is hurt and disappointed by his team’s performance. We all were. I think calling them “heartless” is too strong, but I do not question N’s loyalty to these guys, and I expect that he will back in the game tomorrow. What makes me scream are comments that attack our players, attack our coach, wish that freshmen with unrealistic expectations heaped upon them not return for us, and count us out before the NCAA brackets have even been assigned.

We’ve been over and over this a million times this year, how this team has some serious holes compared to the last couple years. Replacing LRMAM with ND has been a liability on defense – our team’s biggest strength. Replacing RW with JH has been a step down. Replacing KL with PAA has left us a little less secure in the middle. Replacing vocal and inspirational leaders with this team’s leaders-by-example may have hurt the intensity the team brings night to night. But I don’t question the intentions of ND and JH and PAA or anyone on the team – they are doing their best. The results may not always be there because they cannot always play up to the level of their predecessors.

Despite these and other losses from last year, there are many who seem to think that we are entitiled to the same success as last year. News flash Bruin fans – last year’s team didn’t win a banner, and I don’t think this year’s team will either. Of course we all want another banner. But for true UCLA fans, the banner is not the goal. The goal is to have the best team with the best individuals with talent showing the best character and giving their best effort on the floor. That’s what Coach taught, and that is what I believe CBH practices as well. When all of that comes together just right, the banners will take care of themselves.

There are fans of success and fans of UCLA. You guys need to figure out which team you are on, because you cannot be both.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Mar 14, 2009 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

gbruin

You still should put this in a separate fanpost. I’d like to bump it on the home page. There is nothing wrong with healthy disagreement among us.

by Nestor on Mar 14, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

will do

and we’re good. believe me, i wanted to tear down the house in frustration last night. but a night of sleep and reading about blinkshot and seeing some of the ridiculous comments from the few but spoiled haters have focused things.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Mar 14, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

blinkshot's was one of the most sobering comments I've seen on here

I was already less enthusiastic about this game because of my belief that the Pac 10 Tournament is a crock, but if I had lost my job then a lot of the comments I saw last night would have seemed incredibly petty and small.

by Tydides on Mar 14, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

by Nestor on Mar 14, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was especially sobering

because we know what a very talented person blink is, the depth and quality of his analysis, and his ability to communicate clearly.

I’ve been working with a group of the financial advisors from a major company now in receivership. They, too, are very good people stunned to be out of work.

When I watch a game, I am escaping that world — but somehow knowing the big picture puts games in perspective.

I wonder how much of the “hatred” is really misplaced anger — we cannot control our lives — but we can vent here and feel some power.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 14, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It struck me last night as I was going through the postgame

That this team really does face two opponents every night: Their actual opponent, and the Ghost of UCLA Teams Past.

by Tydides on Mar 14, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spot On

To me, the most interesting thing is that those who do not know much about Coach invoke his name in quest of banners; he never had those expectations. He cared more about effort and character than wins.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 14, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Tydides

Every team after Wooden’s last championship in 75, and every coach, perhaps except Lavin’s, faces the dilemma you mentioned. For Lavin, his own slick, conceited nature of believing in every word he himself ever uttered, reality be darned. This is well in the past I understand but to see the current team in such subpar performance simply hurts.

What grates me the most is Marquis’ swooning of SC, particularly his vocabulary, derived from an SC player’s first name. I thought last year’s “meow mayo” nauseated me enough until he lost it in that moment of delirum and screamed about the "demarolization " of our team.

I had it with this guy, really. It’s one thing being objective, giving credits, praises where they are due but this one is over the top.

by Htse005 on Mar 14, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is a remedy for the situation and it's very, very simple

Turn the volume down. I know it’s a novel idea, and probably the first time I’ve ever suggested it. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for my Bruin brothers and sisters who complain about announcers as long as there is a volume control available. I know sometimes there is no choice, for example, when you’re at someone else’s house. But even then you can always ask. Be creative. Say that you’ll explain what happened if the other people really need it (“See, when the ball goes through that little hoop thing, it’s called a ‘basket’ and it’s a good thing for the team that shoots it”). It won’t take long before your don’t miss the announcers.

by Fox 71 on Mar 14, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe in a macro sense

Yes, I agree. That’s what happens when you only hang titles in the rafters. Perhaps I should be more clear. On the day to day criticism over the course of a season, our guys go up against their counterparts even in the CBH era. For instance, can we say that JH would receive as much grief as he does had KLove not come along? I believe that this team suffers far more because of the recent past than because of the distant past. Many of the guys from the recent past were guys that players on the current team played with.

I don’t mind Marques’ playing up guys that are doing well. I’m sick of his forced attempts to be witty just to have something to say. He really needs to sit down and watch a tape of Donnie Mac. I don’t understand why Don wasn’t the guy on the floor rather than up in the booth for the tournament. He’s fair and he does his job professionally and offers an unusual amount of insight for a broadcast guy.

by Tydides on Mar 14, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tydides," forced attempts "

is the right phrase to explain Marquis’ delivery last night . I like Don MacLean immensely, both as a player and now a commentator. He speaks his mind also. On certain botched plays, he pinned it critically without sounding overly harsh, biased towards or against any particular team.

I recall Bill Walton first started doing UCLA games. Fiercely competitive as he always has been, even he couldn’t refrain from making sarcastic comments, albeit inadvertently, when the onslaught was on during Larry Farmer’s mediocre years. So when he and that guy named Joe Buttita ( I hope I got his name correct ) paired up to do the UCLA / Oregon State game when Ralph Miller briefly had his team ranked high nationally, Walton responded to Joe’s comments about Oregon State hanging conference banners by saying " how amusing to see some school celebrate conference championships and then you have some school celebrating national championships".

I am paraphrasing here of course but I clearly heard what Walton said during a timeout when Oregon State fans behind him went berserk, with the scoreboard flashing double digit lead for their team.

But my point is, with Bill Walton being a partisan neophyte then, he made those comments understandably in favor of his own alma mater. But having been commentator for as long as Marquis did, and then particularly when his own alma mater played its cross town archrivals, he knew better than to be so blatantly rejoicing in such a juvenile way over a Tojan player’s performance. Wonder why no one ever told him HIS AUDIENCE IS LISTENING !

Imagine Michael Jordan publicly praised and danced about Duke’s JJ Redick’s uncanny long bombs against the TarHeels in the ACC Tournaments.

by Htse005 on Mar 14, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Jog GB

Can you come back to the thread, now?

Miss you, BG83, BB200, and some of the other regulars. New game, new season, new Karma.

BTW — I’m taking a bit of responsibility because, at the tip off, the battery in my keychain that plays the Bruin fight song went dead.

Playing the song at key moments has spurred us on. I tried an online version but it didn’t work. I think the karma is in how I hold the keychain.

My bad.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 14, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Radio Shack

right now!

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Mar 14, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

last year

i carried the “road to the alamodome” towel we were given at last years miracle cal game with me for every tournament game. Right now its pinned on my wall here in Dallas, but i think i’ll bring it down for a little extra mojo as well. : )

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 14, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad as well

For the past three years I’ve made sure my little stuffed bruin has been with me every game (even carried her to every class that first year they made it to the final 4) call mecrazy but I find that she usually brings luck… I accidently left her last night so with ur keychain dying and my bruin not being there that had to be it haha

Also, I just wanted to say that for all the time I have been reading this blog it makes me proud to know that there are other fans that stand by the players and cbh no matter what so I just wanted to say thank you to all of you

by millikinbruin on Mar 14, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, 66

I just didn’t have it in me. My company is laying off thousands of people, (literally), and I found out that I am to be one of them. I tuned into the game against the Trojies, and I found myself just speechless, stunned, and weeping. No way to post anything meaningful. (I am gathering from the comments that something similar has happened to blinkshot, and I am truly sorry.)

I knew, absolutely, there would be trollers and others here trashing our players, calling out our CBH as if he had committed some horrible crime, and I knew I couldn’t take it—on top of everything else. (I am just not at my very best right now, and I am something that I am terribly unaccustomed to being—I am frightened.)

I also knew that you guys would manage them. I would have bet that you would post an appropriate, eloquent message about who they are, and who we are supposed to be—as you have.

I am disappointed in the performance of our team against our most hated rival. But honestly, I cannot pick and pick at them. I do not believe they don’t care about winning. I really love our team, and that’s never going to change. I sincerely don’t get the hatred for JH…he’s a kid, playing college basketball for the first time. I’ve never seen anywhere where he’s promised that he would be the Messiah of the basketball court. For every injury we hear about, these young men have multiple sprains, strains, contusions, tissue tears, bruises, hyperextensions of joints, stomach bugs…and they play the game.

They’re my team. That’s why I come here.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 16, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BG83

I’m very sorry to hear about your situation with work. Your BN friends will help in any way we can.

UCLA is our team, off the court and on. That’s why we all come here.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Mar 16, 2009 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Second that

hang in there 83. We are all here for you.

by Nestor on Mar 17, 2009 4:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey N, 66, etc

Looked like the same offer went out to Blinkshot, right?

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Mar 17, 2009 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 17, 2009 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I have been meaning to do a fanpost about this … about how folks who have been a huge part of this community … not to be shy about putting up fanposts or fanshots … looking for information, suggestion tapping into this community of UCLA alums, students, fans. This is one of the reason we have this place … to support each other as an extended Bruin family. Just haven’t been able to get around to do it .. but if any of you want to do it … go for it.

by Nestor on Mar 17, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BG83

I think I might be able to help you find a new path.

It’s really funny how we don’t know the people here, yet we do. I’d love to put you in contact with some of the people I worked with in your city the last two years.

If you’re interested, email me and let me know where I can call you.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 16, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

Thanks, all of you—gbruin, Nestor, 66—sincerely. Wow, 66 I am very interested. Anybody that you have worked with and respect is somebody I’d like to meet, regardless. I’m extremely flattered that you think that much of me. I will certainly be e-mailing you.

You people are are a class act, you truly are.

Thank you.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 17, 2009 6:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the break-up analogy is great

coming out of a relationship with a perfect 10 (KLove) that broke our hearts after a brief but beautiful romance along comes another stunner and we pull two classic moves, first we look for the current love to duplicate the last Love and second we fail to appreciate what we have as we count down to the day when our hearts are again broken

by LVBruin on Mar 14, 2009 12:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BTW -- I Feel Sorry for the Moderators

They are like cops in a gang dominated area having to deal with drive by shooters.

I don’t get why people register on BN just to put up hateful stuff. This is clearly not the neighborhood for that.

Some disappear after the one night. Others, who have been chastised, have actually changed their ways and become valued contributors.

I wish we could put a sign up that says “Firing Range” over there and point to the sites that thrive on the hateful crap.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 14, 2009 12:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

by Nestor on Mar 14, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks 66

This year I’ve had the good fortune of going to most of the football games at the Rose Bowl and basketball games at Pauley. True Bruin fans go to the games and watch the games during good and bad times. They follow their team all season, not only during tournament time.

Last year during the tournament, I noticed that the "UCLA"tournament crowd at the Honda Center and US Airways was totally different than the one at Pauley. They were so negative and hateful when the Bruins struggled at times. My guess is that they pop up only during the tournament and don’t follow the team throughout the year. Sort of like the Laker fans who only watch during the playoffs and complain the most. When you follow a team & program, you know its tendencies, the story lines, and become emotionally invested in it.

In short, the trolls from last night only show up during tourney time and complain the most. I trust the views & posts from the BNers that have been on the threads all season.

Bruin Nation should be passionate & reasonable fans.

Go Bruins! Boo to the Trolljans!

by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 14, 2009 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As always, a thoughtful

analysis of the game from a holistic perspective. The Holiday hating needs to end, as does the DC bashing. It truly goes without saying. And please, I am not talking about pointing out their respective shortcomings – that is quite alright. We just cannot expect them to play a certain way and then hang them out to dry when they do not.

I have one question of my own for the community: why is it that we nearly always come out flat and, even worse, unprepared for the second game. If I recall correctly, someone mentioned that it may have something to do with Keating being gone, and us lacking a consistent/good/on par second game scout report. Does Howland prepare both?

B.F.

by eubruin on Mar 14, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Second games

Good question. I have wondered this, and even heard some TV announcers reference our Thursday vs Saturday records recently. I’m going back and look at records and see if there is something there. If there is (and I think there is), then we can discuss why.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Mar 14, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's something there

and it’s because there is far more time to game plan and install a game plan for Thursdays than there is Saturdays.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 14, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely, although that would

apply to both us and our saturday opponents. It is interesting to see how marked the difference is in our execution between the Thursday and Saturday matchup. Rye, do you think that it has anything to do with the quality of information that is at Howland’s disposal (in relation to Saturday’s game)? Maybe he spends most of his time on the Thursday game and leaves the Sat game to his assistants?

B.F.

by eubruin on Mar 14, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Each assistant is assigned to scout a certain team. They then work with Clay McKnight to put together video highlights of plays that teams run. Sometimes an assistant will have both games on a weekend. It all depends. For example, Coach Duncan has Oregon because he used to work with the program.

by lil eg not cs on Mar 14, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Double 6's

As disappointing as it is to lose to pusc, I am proud of our kids (remember they are kids?) DC went to war with a banged up tailbone (I bruised mine a couple of years ago and I could barely sit down or get up from a sitting position) and gave it his all. All year, JH, the peaceful warrior, has graciously accepted his role as the out-of-position fourth or fifth option on offense. He seemingly doesn’t pout when taken out of the game after a questionable decision or taken out of the starting lineup at the start of the second half after a rough first half. PAA takes an elbow to the sternum or a ball in the face and doesn’t retaliate. JS battles every possession of every game. The other fantastic 18-year old freshmen (unlike the 28-year old frosh across town) always make the most of their limited minutes. JK gives 100% no matter when he is inserted into the game. Etc. As has been noted numerous times at BN, these are all high quality individuals recruited by CBH as much for their basketball ability as their personas.

They had a tough shooting night, and a lot of credit needs to be given to an incredible defensive effort by a talented group of athletes. They were beaten to loose balls by a team that wanted it more last night. That doesn’t mean our guys didn’t want it bad, and it doesn’t mean that our guys weren’t giving 100% effort. All 10 players on the court are elite athletes trying to win a ball game. Every game, one team wins and one team loses. We lost last night, just like North Carolina did today, just like Pitt ,UConn, Kansas and OK lost the other day.

I am excited for next week, and I’ll be proud of them no matter what the outcome of the games in the Big Dance.

by Idaho87 on Mar 14, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Yes Fox 71

Whenever Marquis is the commentator for any UCLA / USC game, that’s what I will do. Last night, I was on my exercise bike furiously pedaling away and it just didn’t dawn on me to TURN THE VOLUME DOWN !!!

by Htse005 on Mar 14, 2009 7:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eventually it will happen

When enough networks learn that enough people are not listening to games because the announcers are horrible, then either the announcers will learn to just keep quiet (especially about the blatantly obvious) or the networks will get rid of the offenders and get actually skilled guys to handle things. The fact that a guy may have been an excellent player does not mean that he will necessarily be a good announcer. Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver are prime examples of this. Those two are the worst, in my opinion, but I don’t know about too many announcers because of the way my volume is set for all sporting events.

by Fox 71 on Mar 15, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

JH is a very good player.

He’s just not a great player, yet. I wish he’d stay, but if I were a pro team I’d take a chance on him mid to late first round. He’s a great kid and I wish him well, but I am sure he will miss the college experience and the chance to be “the man.” Nevertheless, a pro contract is hard for anyone to pass up.

by 75NatChamps on Mar 16, 2009 6:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs