I appreciate your level-headed analysis. As one of those who has openly criticized him for his lack of foot speed and overall lack of quickness, I’m willing to wait and see whether CBH can find a place for him and whether his skill set matches with the grander scheme for the future of the program. I too, love his attitude and sense of humor. It is great for team chemistry and morale.

As for the leg problems he had as a youth, a call for sensitivity with our criticism is valid. On the other hand, that is-who-he-is and if he is unable to compete effectively at this level in CBH’s system, I think it is appropriate to raise concerns. I’m willing to take a wait and see attitude, and I trust the Coaching staff’s ability to asses talent and readiness to play, but if he can’t perform, I’m going to lobby that he spends more time on the bench and less time on the floor. I’ll keep in mind his physical limitations but I’m still going to push for the best talent to get the most playing time.

Also, I doubt CBH will adjust our D scheme to fit the limitations of one player. He has made it fairly clear that he is set in his ways when it comes to defensive schemes. The staff will work with Bobo to get him ready for the rigors of the CBH defensive system. But if Bobo can’t cut it, don’t look for changes in our D- look for Bobo on the bench with his warm-ups on.

I remember writing my first Eng 10 composition, feeling pretty good about myself, and then getting a D+. I was aghast. I remember thinking, “Damn, thanks for the "+” there prof, at least it’s not just a D!"

I can imagine that working into CBH’s system is a bit more challenging (btw – that’s sarcastic gross understatement for effect – not learned in Eng 10) than writing essays in English class. And if Bobo can recognize that, and he’s awake to the realization that he has to step up his effort and dedication, then he has exactly the most important quality he needs to succeed. And I believe he will do it. Can’t wait!

I actually thought that he was pretty good in the half-court. Sure he lacks foot-speed, and sometimes had the Sam Perkins stare to nowhwere look, but in the half-court I thought he was a unique offensive threat. When he was given the ball, he had moves, and he was efficient. Gordon is athletic, and will be a slashing run-n-gun big man that we will all love. But I think Bobo will be our best half-court low post threat when all is said and done (if not next year, the year after for sure).

Finally, let me just say how frustrating it was to hear the commentators this year talk about how UCLA from the Pac-10 just can’t match up with tough physical teams from the Big East. If I recall, the last three years ALL WE HEARD was about how physical UCLA was, and about how they were just as physical as the Big East teams. And, didn’t we beat a tough Pitt team in the Sweet 16 two years ago (answer, we did, because I was there). So anyway, this fiction that we can’t be physical is ridiculous (not talking about any of your comments 66). This year we were weaker—but that will all change when we have more size playing (like next year).

Make no mistake about it, in 2 years—UCLA will probably be ranked # 1 as both the most physical team and the most skilled. I really think it is pretty likely.

from the few glimpses we’ve had into the locker room, people seem to gravitate toward him, he seems to have a good spirit much like Josh. In the same way Josh battled back from injury and an average season last year, and went on to have a stellar senior season, lets hope Bobo takes on the same mentality and is the best he can be with the physical limitations he has himself.

Also, theres an interesting quote from Howland via Dohn, he says JA has the potential to be a leader much like JF and AA were. I know we were speculating Whether it would be DG or ML that takes on that role, but its interesting to see CBH pegging JA as potentially “that guy”

I’m watching Nova-Duke right now and the refs are calling the game 100% different than they called our game. It’s touch basketball at it’s finest…the refs aren’t being uneven or anything but its just amazing how different officials are. Makes you wonder what would’ve happened if the refs were this stingy in our game. We still would’ve most likely lost, but you have to wonder…

on foot speed is like relying completely on a star-rating system to fill out your roster.

It seems to me this preoccupation with JM’s physical limitations is missing the boat. OK, he’s not as agile and graceful as Kareem, nor as athletic as Bill Walton.

But, games are rarely won on foot speed or some other lifeless measurement, alone. Listen to Coach, himself, spell it out in the clip posted by drebruin.

Listen at about the 16-minute mark, when he’s discussing Doug McIntosh, and other players who were not naturally imbued with great stopwatch-measurable abilities. Paraphrasing, he talks about their being very good shooters because they took only high-percentage shots and stayed within themselves. He talks about their being very good rebounders because, instead of waiting to see if the shot would miss and then reacting, they assumed it would miss, and therefore were in good position for the rebound.

There is a lot more to basketball than foot speed. With the right coach, which he has, Bobo can be a very good college player. Something about being the best you are capable of being.