The Savior Class
UPDATED & BUMPED: The post was timed for moments before the tip-off but the sentiments expressed here are timeless. JS responded with another career high in his last game at Pauley. GO BRUINS. -N
With Josh Shipp's senior day upon us (also DC's and PAA's) I think it's time we revisit Bruin basketball the season before Josh got here. Coach Howland was going through some pretty severe growing pains with a bunch of players not his own, and trying to implement an entirely new system that was not necessarily agreeing with his personell. That was a tough year for all of us, no doubt. But there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel. A couple guys named Farmar, Afflalo, Shipp, and Mata (-Real). Ben Howland's first recruiting class at UCLA.
Farmar was the most highly touted of the bunch (rightfully so). Shipp and Afflalo were both LA products with great high school careers. And Lorenzo was the "project" of the bunch. Needless to say we were on pins and needles in Westwood waiting on the young men we hoped would lead us out of the long darkness created by the coach who shall not be named.
Much can be said about each of Howland's first four recruits. Farmar, an instrumental piece in the rebuilding project, was the first to leave Westwood, but we thank him for all his contributions, particularly his role in establishing the toughness and physicality that we so commonly associate with Ben Howland basketball. Arron was the second to leave and I don't think I need to say much about him. He was the consummate "Ben Ball Warrior" who never took so much as a single posession off. Lorenzo stayed his full four years making massive strides on both ends of the court and also living up to the perfect example of a student athlete.
But today we honor the last member of that class. Josh is a redshirt senior. He's been with the team through all its final four runs (though he was in street clothes for the first one). He's had his ups and downs as a player and has stirred up QUITE the controversy on the UCLA message boards. But at the end of the day (particularly TODAY) Josh is a Bruin. A Bruin who played all four years for his alma mater and who has most certainly shed his blood, sweat, and tears for the Blue and Gold.
So today I suggest, humbly, that we dub the recruiting class of Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo, Josh Shipp, and Lorenzo Mata-Real "The Savior Class." Because they absolutely were. They were the first guys to come to Westwood FOR coach Howland and completely buy into his system. They changed the culture of UCLA basketball within one season and although it ended in a disappointing loss to Texas Tech, anyone who watched that year knew good things were coming.
I know DC and PAA will get their due praise here on BN and all about the internets, and to be fair, Shipp will too. But I just thought it was necessary to remind us all how far we've come and who's been there every step of the way. Today we celebrate the last member of "The Savior Class." Here's to you, Josh Shipp:

Photo Credit: J. Rosenfeld
Thanks for everything.
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.
8 recs |
11 comments
Comments
Thank You, Josh.
Thank you for fighting so hard, thank you for being such a completely class act, thank you for not letting the idiot trash-talkers affect you. Also, thank you for your smile. Your smile has been infectious, inspiring, and just as important as Russell’s “Let’s Go!”
I think the “Shiiiiiiiiiip!” comment is permanently stored in my computer.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 8, 2009 7:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Beautiful post
I have had my share of moments with JS over the years … but there has never been a question in my mind about his contributions to reestablishment of UCLA as a power in college basketball.
I love JS.
Thank you for this.
by Nestor on Mar 8, 2009 10:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Nestor
And thanks to the “Savior Class”
by billyknight on Mar 8, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome post – thanks for the trip down CBH memory lane. What a worthwhile and successful journey CBH has taken us down. To think of where we were before this class and – before our bball leader took over – certainly gives me a profound appreciation for where we are now.
We have had such a prolific run of success the last 4 years – sometimes it’s hard to get a proper perspective on it all. This year has been special – and it’s amazing that anyone could even think of this year as a disappointment when you consider where we were pre-CBH. So thanks for this post – and thanks to our BenBall Warriors – not only have we enjoyed great success – but we are enjoying great success – and will continue to experience incredible success – as CBH has ushered in a radical paradigm shift here at Westwood.
by freudianslip on Mar 8, 2009 1:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well said, Billy
A very eloquent tribute, and one shared by everyone here at the BN.
by Fox 71 on Mar 8, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Attitude is Contagious
And for Josh to have such a great perspective and positive presence through what is frankly probably the most adversity any of our individual Bruin Warriors have been is amazing.
The reality is, without injuries we would have been seeing this from Josh two years ago. I for one believe he will make it to the next level.
by glassbruin on Mar 8, 2009 8:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Billy
This was a fantastic post. My single favorite senior day moment was when the PA announcer mentioned in LMR’s send-off that he was the first member of his family to graduate from college. But as a collection this group was really special. Your words of praise for JS were well deserved.
I hope that CBH can retain players in the future for 4 years like he did this group. He is a victim of his own success in teaching, as he gets players ready for the next level of basketball in less than 4 years.
This group of seniors, however, is ready for the next level of life. I firmly believe that with the dedication they have shown and the degrees they will have earned, that they will represent their school and their fans with pride in the future, wherever their paths take them.
I hope that we can continue attracting 4 year players. Go Bruins !!
by islandbruin on Mar 8, 2009 10:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Another Great Mature Play By JS
that I don’t recall being mentioned was up at Pullman this year with WSU desperately clawing their way back with 3’s Josh did a great job challenging their last attempt while clearly avoiding any contact, thus denying both the Cougs and the SPTR’s.
by bru79 on Mar 9, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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