COMpassion bucket
by UCLAbruin920 on Jun 10, 2009 9:59 AM PDT
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K Love was on the Dan Patrick Show again this morning and was asked about the situation at u$c. Specifically, he was asked what he thought about agents and runners. I was hoping he would take a bit of a stab at $c, but instead he said, "it's tough" because a lot of these kids come from less fortunate backgrounds. He said OJ Mayo came from a single-parent family and was surrounded by a bad group of people. He said that he understood that athletes want to be taken care of. I was waiting for him to say, "but no matter your circumstances, you have to play by the rules" or something to that effect. But he didn't.
Then he said, that his "COMpassion bucket is dripping" for the u$c basketball program. At first, that really irked me because I don't have compassion for a program that does what usc has done.
But I'm not sure what else he could've said. I think it's well known that amateurism is somewhat commonplace and he's not going to blast his colleagues on a national radio show. He also wasn't about to pass moral judgment on those that accept benefits, simply because he didn't. But what he could've done, is pass judgment on an administration that lets this stuff go. Perhaps it was a bit premature because the investigation is still ongoing and he didn't want to take a position on the issue.
Anyway, I have mixed feelings on this. What do you all think? She he have taken a stronger position on this rather than just saying he has compassion for usc?
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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Love and Mayo are friends
KL makes a very fair point about kids who use sports to get to college and create a better situation for themselves. Mayo is a good example. 66 spoke very wisely (as always) 2 years ago about the kids becoming the victims of the pedophillic agents and their money machines that dirty up college sports. Granted, the kids are not entire void of responsibility, but it’s hard to blame them for taking those “opportunities” if they have no others.
I’m not surprised KL took the high road on this. He’s class and came from a college program and coach with class. Until the hammer falls on the cheaters, it is not KL’s role or job to pass judgement on u$c*. The NCAA will do that.
Oh. Wait. Skip that last line.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Thanks GB
That post is the best thing I’ve ever written on BN. I went back and read it after seeing your post.
I still believe it properly sets the big picture focus.
I wish the fishwrap had an op-ed page, I’d submit it. — I think it is more timely, today, then when I wrote it.
sjh
The high road
and the road less traveled.
I used to wonder why UCLA did not do a better job of attacking USC in the press, and point out there seemingly endless run ins with Police, Agents, Thugs, and etc. But, hearing John Wooden speak cleared a lot of things up for me. It is easier to rip on someone than to put a hand out, even when that someone is your enemy. But, a good Christian (As John Wooden is, and I try to be) does not concern himself with such petty displays.
I rejoice that the world is getting a look at the USC we all know and love to hate. But, to be completely honest, I like every Trojan I know, and they are without exception good people. The administration, the boosters, the SC Mafia on the other hand . . .
I have no problem with KL’s comments. As dwdbruin said, that’s our job.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
really?
I DON’T like most of the trojans I know – with the exception of one or MAYBE two. in fact, when I meet someone that rubs me the wrong way and then I find out they went to SC, I think to myself, ah, that explains a lot
I am more along MoBruin’s line. I like maybe 10%-20% of the Trojans I meet. Exactly why I didn’t go to USC. Well, that and it’s in the ghetto…
I know one or two just$c* people who are OK
but even those people turn into hypocrites when they talk about the Holy Grail (their football program.) Nothing which impugns the integrity of Cheatie Petie is acknowledged, let along tolerated. (Basically anyone you see holding their ears and saying “Lalalalalala” is having the facts about Cheatie’s program explained to them.)
I have said many times that I truly feel sorry for those people. Think about it. What rational person would want to be associated with that putrid cesspool, and its soul-draining instutional lack of integrity? People get stuck there for any number of reasons, and then find themselves having to compliment the Emperor on his new clothes in order to maintain whatever facade of self-respect they are trying to maintain. Who wants to live that way? Who wants to constantly lie to oneself and to everyone else that there is nothing wrong? How can you argue that the charges are baseless when your defense is to kill the messenger or to claim that everyone is doing it, or that no one can prove the allegations (as opposed to the allegations are untrue.)
As I said, I honestly feel compassion for those poor souls. Then, of course, they flex their arrogance muscle, and my compassion vanishes, to be replaced with disgust.
I wouldn't have said I feel compassion for their program*
But I’m fine with everything else. It wasn’t his place to rip into u$c* at that time. A lot of the time less is more when it comes to dealing with the press.
But to add to Mexi’s comment, I’ve known very few u$c* alumns in my life that I would call good people. One was my grandfather, who only went there because he lived close by (but wasn’t able to graduate). One only went to u$c* because her dad has worked there forever and she got free tuition, and the third was my very first boyfriend, whom I saw about five years ago and was impressed by what a gentleman he grew up to be. My other experience has been with their "fans’ who are only around from August to January, and whom I have no kind words to say about whatsoever. Those are the people who make me hate u$c* with a passion and make me even prouder to be a Bruin.
Also an interesting anecdote about post season classes....
KLove was amazingly frank about his decision not to attend classes the quarter after they got bounced from the tourney by Memphis. He claims to have gone to one COM class with 30 or 40 people and showed up late the first day and everyone in the class essentially laughed at him for attending, asking “What are you doing here? you’re going to the NBA?”
So he never returned to class and stayed in his apartment and played video games as he “trained” for the draft.
Not sure how I felt about this.
Any thoughts from the Nation???
Initially it rubbed me the wrong way
But then I remembered how many classes I went to my freshman year and I realized I’m in no place to judge him on that, especially since he was apparently working out in addition to playing games while I just played games.
I am proud of KL and his approach to the issue --
He took a surprisingly mature and understanding approach. He really is a good kid (and he is still a kid).
sjh
kl is a class act
aside from mayo being his buddy and not trying to step on anyone’s toes, i’m impressed with how self-aware kl is. it’s very clear he is a very fortunate guy, blessed with incredible talent and a very stable and comfortable upbringing and family structure. it’s pretty rare for kids to recognize this and appreciate it, speaks volumes about him. but i guess we all knew that…
Across The Face
KL Sets A Standard With This
He is pure class, and he is positively Wooden-esque in this. I am so proud of him, so proud that he is a Bruin.
Love My Bruins
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