Bobo Time

by Nestor on Mar 22, 2009 12:56 PM PDT Comment 20 comments

While we can't jump to conclusions from JH post game comments re. going to the NBA (since after all millions of benjamins are involved in that decision), I found the following comments from JMM after yesterday's game to be pretty encouraging (emphasis added):

It was a frustrating and difficult season for Bruins freshman J'mison Morgan, who came to UCLA as one of the top-rated high school centers but was rarely used.

He played the final 3:01 against Villanova, but did not score. He averaged 2.3 points and one rebound in 21 games, but said the season was beneficial.

"I learned how to be a team player, actually," Morgan said. "When I first came here, I admit that I was kind of selfish. I had goals for myself, and not really looking to win, but expose myself to (scouts).

"But sitting on the bench all season kind of made me realize it's not about me all the time, it's about the team, and if we win, our team is doing something right."

Morgan said he would not transfer, and was looking forward to making a big contribution next season.

"This is definitely motivating me to show people that I could actually play at this level," Morgan said. "My goal is to show people that I should have been playing. I'll go out with a chip on my shoulder, and at the same time help my teammates. That's the most important part."

If JMM hits the weight room hard this off season and motivate himself to work his rear end off in terms of conditioning, I think he could position himself for a solid sophomore season. I think back to the improvement Kris Johnson made from his freshman season to his sophomore one back in the day.

We will need Bobo next year. So his comments has me excited.

GO BRUINS.

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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Bobo time indeed

It doesn’t surprise me either that a kid coming in from HS would be somewhat selfish. For one thing, this is something we may see a little more of because we are now recruiting more heralded kids. The center position is also the most "selfish" position on the floor. Passing skills are great, but they are gravy. You spend your time rooting your defender out to get position and then you get the ball and you do something with it. I’m really excited to see what Bobo brings to the table next year. He sure won’t lack motivation to get in shape the CBH way because he knows there are going to be a lot of minutes available.

by Tydides on Mar 22, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Improvement

We’ve seen a lot of guys improve once they understand what it takes to earn minutes under CBH. I expect Bobo to be a solid contributor next season. We will need his size and presence in the low post. I’m personally proud that he was mature enough to understand what he was and what he wants to become. His development will be something I am truly looking forward to.

by BlueReign on Mar 22, 2009 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Maturity

What mature comments; with an attitude like that, he is well on his way towards achieving his goal.

To paraphrase the admiral in the final scene of Bridges at Toko-Ri, “Where do we get such men?”

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by WHP '68 on Mar 22, 2009 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've seen Bobo in person

and I know he tries when he is on court, but there is something about his legs that prohibit from moving with fluidity. He had surgery on his knees when he was in high school. I know CBH will demand that Bobo hit the weights and work on his fitness, but will this be enough?

I think he will improve on his defense, but the hedging part of the defense will still be hard for him because of his foot speed. I think having him stay near the basket will allow us to utilize his strength on defense, shotblocking. I know CBH is totally opposed to using the zone, but I wonder should we just use it when Bobo is in there. Imagine Bobo and DG swatting shots in the paint (could have used that against Villanova).

I’m trying to find out when and how often Coach Wooden changed his defense and offense during his tenure. The press was installed when he had players to use it. Just wonder if CBH would make changes in his systems to fit his players. This year’s freshman class and next year’s group might have more offensive skills and foot speed than the AA2-DC era.

by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 22, 2009 2:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bobo needs to swim actually

that would be the best thing for him. Drops weight, increases cardio fitness without wearing out the knees and back of someone his size.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Mar 22, 2009 4:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If he knows how

My first job was as a swim instructor. Teaching people over 12 years old how to swim is a nightmare.

by Tydides on Mar 22, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're goal is to burn calories

being “bad” at swimming isn’t necessarily a bad thing =) You’ll lose a lot of calories struggling to keep your head above the water at the deep end of the pool hahaha.

by dokein on Mar 22, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was also a lifeguard

Please do not do this either :-)
The guy struggling won’t be the only one burning a lot of calories.

by Tydides on Mar 22, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try

Being the lifeguard if you have to pull someone like Bobo out of the water

by blinkshot on Mar 22, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

your*

Ugh I cannot believe I made that mistake

by dokein on Mar 25, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swimming

IIRC Dragovic attributed his better play this season to a tough offseason conditioning regimen which had a lot of swimming incorporated into his every day routine.

by Nestor on Mar 22, 2009 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Water polo

He also played intramural water polo last year.

by bruinponcho on Mar 22, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very encouraging, indeed

He has a potential NBA body. Sounds like he has the will to get better, too. Defensively, he could be a monster in the middle once he masters the system. Offensively, he could average 8-9 points a game just staying around the basket for offensive rebounds and dunks off of passes from the others.

by Bruins93 on Mar 22, 2009 6:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I pointed this out somewhere else

But Dexter Pittman, who plays for Texas, was fatter and slower. And now he’s a starter. Just look at his high school picture and where he is now. It can be done.

This article describes his journey.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Mar 23, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow Pittman turned into a beast.

by baybruin415 on Mar 23, 2009 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should Morgan start or

Rotate with Gordon?

by theslammer on Mar 23, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who knows?

They have a full offseason to develop. If the season started tomorrow, Gordon would start and get nearly all of the minutes, but both guys have 7+ months to develop. It could be Gordon at the 5 next year or Morgan at the 5 and Gordon at the 4 or Morgan at the 5 and Gordon on the bench. Guys make their biggest improvements from their freshman to sophomore year so we have to be patient and let the offseason play out.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 23, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DG would only get the minutes if he improves on the fouls

by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 24, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really hope he pans out

And Howland is comfortable enough to go with this starting five:

G Jrue
G Lee
W Roll
F Gordon
F Morgan

Drive-and-dish point guard? Check.
Three-point gunner to spread the floor? Check.
Long athletic guys in the middle to alter/block shots? Check.
Tenacious Ben Ball defenders? Check (Lee/Gordon, and hopefully Jrue if he can replicate his early-season performances).
Depth? Check (Jerime, Drago, Keefe, Moser, Honeycutt, Lane, Nelson, and possibly Stover could all start for any other Pac-10 team).

Plus there’s the fact that four guys from the 08 class are all in the lineup together; I would bet that they would have great chemistry on the floor and wouldn’t get too selfish, and they would be helped/guided/mentored by the veteran leadership on the roster (Roll, Keefe, Drago) if they did start to go away from Ben Ball philosophy.

by theslammer on Mar 24, 2009 1:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone think ML could be the W not the G

May not really matter but seems like ML is the closest thing we have to LRMM. He gets rebounds in uncanny ways. Blocks shots he has no business blocking.

OK he is probably too small but that is the way he plays to me (though I am probably overreaching here)

by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 24, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs