Finally We Can Move On With Our Post Holiday Plans

by Nestor on Jun 15, 2009 5:00 AM PDT Comment 5 comments

Now that the charade is thankfully over we can finally move on.

There are some questions as to whether Coach Howland will be looking for another guard in this year's incoming freshman class with the scholie that just opened. He seems to be leaning towards saving it for next year's class:

"The question is, do we take a guy who is still available right now versus waiting and trying to get a guy who we really, really would like to have later," Howland said. "It just depends who it is. In certain situations, programs are releasing players, so there are some good players out there. I don't know if there's a really good point guard that's a fit for us."

UCLA might look at LaMirada forward Derrick Williams, who was released from his national letter of intent by USC in the wake of coach Tim Floyd's resignation.

I doubt we will go after Williams. Not sure if he has the grades to get into UCLA (again that's just my speculation here). Interestingly, CBH mentioned to Dohn that he is not necessarily just zeroing in on pg. He might not hesitate to take a forward, if one becomes available at this juncture of the off season:

"I don't know what will happen," Howland said. "We would like to bring in a new guard, but there may be an opportunity to bring in another frontcourt player, who's a good player, and if that's the case, we have to consider that as well."

Whatever he does I am going to defer to him. Also, Howland might be content at staying with his current group of Ben Ball warriors and ask them to carry more responisbility next season:

In the meantime, Jerime Anderson, Malcolm Lee and Michael Roll could be asked to fill the backcourt in different combinations. Former walk-on Mustafa Abdul-Hamid could add depth.

"Those guys have got to stay healthy and give us a lot of good minutes," Howland said.

Over here, we of course pretty much knew Holiday was gone. So we have already had detailed discussions and analysis on UCLA's post Holiday plans, which you can read up on here and here. We might not be the favorite to win the conference next season, but that's fine. With Howland in charge we are going to be just all right.

Back to celebrating the 15 time world champions (UC)LA Lakers.

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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Ben Howland handles this situation

with dignity and class. No surprise, even though he had every reason to gripe, because Jrue Holiday has no business leaving for the NBA early.

I don’t care what he did in high school, who he impresses in workouts, or where he projects in the draft. After watching him disappear in big games, get humbled defensively, fire 30% from 3pt. range, and put up a quiet 8 ppg, there is nothing anyone can say to convince me he is ready for the NBA.

As a Laker fan, I can only hope fellow Pacific division perennial lottery-picking doormats like Sacramento and Golden State waste a lottery pick on him. He may indeed have a long career, but he will do nothing of any consequence the 1st 3 years in the league. Why? Because he is not ready. Plain and simple. And that’s why it shouldn’t reflect negatively on UCLA or Ben Howland when Jrue becomes a bust, because he shouldn’t have left early.

For those that disagree (and I’m sure there are many), I ask you simply this: Name one point guard that had a successful NBA career that didn’t get at least 1 or 2 years of seasoning in college playing point guard? (Remember, Jrue played “out of position” this year, so this year didn’t count).

I’ll be waiting for anyone’s response.

by godblesstyus95 on Jun 15, 2009 10:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How about our very own RW?

by bornagainbruin on Jun 15, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well RW

did play 2 years of college ball, and only averaged a fraction over 5 assists per game, and has only played one year of NBA ball (albeit a successful one).

Looking for a true PG a little more established.

by godblesstyus95 on Jun 15, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moreover

It is worth noting that RW had opportunities to play substantial mins at pg early in his second year when DC had gone down with an injury (in the exhibition game). RW grew from that experienced and developed really well (including a memorable performance in a tough game against Michigan State at a neutral site). So the seasoning RW got during his second year with substantial mins at pg definitely helped him evolve into a college superstar and a great pro prospect.

Jrue Holiday is nowhere comparable to what RW did as a college player at UCLA. Hey Holiday might have had great outings in those controlled workouts that measure “potential” but I could care less about that.

by Nestor on Jun 15, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs