Ill Communication In Howlandwood Continues: Lee's Interesting Comments On UCLA's Game Prep
by Nestor on Jan 17, 2010 3:19 PM PST
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Printbritishbruin flagged the following disturbing quote from Malcolm Lee after the game:
One reason for UCLA’s poor performance, at least according to Lee: USC’s advance scouting.
"They really had our plays scouted really well," he said. "The second half they forced us to go more in motion; they were defending our set plays really well. It can be a little frustrating, because it feels like they know what we’re doing. Man, we have to have a counter for that."
Well in terms of the quote it is hard to argue with the underlying basis of Lee's comments. However, it is unsettling to say the least how Malcolm Lee, the guy who is supposed to be the defensive leader of this UCLA team so publicly second guessing the coaching staff (presumably directing at Ben Howland).
Malcolm Lee has already been subject of discussion about being too wrapped up about going to the NBA. Quotes like this will only add to the discussion concerning the relationship between Howland and his players. Moreover, this also follows the bizzarre and strange way UCLA players found out about lineup changes from the LA press (instead from the coaching staff).
Again, something seems to be off between Howland and his players. At least in public they are not on the same page, which only leads to speculation what is going on in the background.
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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Caveat on isolated quotes
When taken alone, this quote certainly does raise several questions and concerns.
But not knowing the exact question or the surrounding discussion makes it a bit tricky to interpret this.
For instance, if ML had just answered a previous question by saying the PG’s didn’t make the right reads on offense, then this is a complaint about the players response to the D, and isn’t a shot at CBH.
But then with all the issues going on with this team, I wouldn’t be that surprised to hear the players start popping off at CBH, either.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
I have to disagree with your interpretation, BritishB
It does not read like he is second guessing the coaches at all. If he had added, something along the lines of, “I don’t see why our coaches can’t prepare us that well.” I would agree. But in and of itself, sorry I just don’t see it.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
Yeah, I agree with you Mexi
It may be what he is saying, but I think to draw any conclusions from this quote requires too much interpretation on our part.
Formerly ryebreadraz
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 17, 2010 5:48 PM PST up reply actions
Hope you guys are right
to be fair to BritishB, its yours truly who is making that interpretation taking other stories in context as well. Still hope there is more to this that explains it and comments in Gold story was out of context.
Well
Malcolm, Soo, and Mustafa were all in Pauley putting up shots on Friday night. They were definitely working hard.
fwiw
Taking into account Ryan and Mexi’s comments, I changed the title of this post. I still think his comments are bit unsettling. I really think our coaches and our players need to have a heart to heart chat on what they share in public. Now it’s the time to put together an united front.
Lee should have said something else to the reporter
Responding to press inquiries is a difficult proposition in group situations. If you are critical of the group outcome, members of the group may end up taking personal umbrage. Here a 19 kid told the truth (I assume it was true—I was at Pauley and it looked to me like sc practiced with us ) and you can construe it as criticism of our coaches. Maybe it wasn’t intended that way, but an honest person could construe it that way.
Over time Michael will learn to answer questions in a way that will not cause them to be Internet fodder. For example, if the subject of sc scouting is raised by a journalist, he may want to answer, “SC was really well prepared. They obviously a lot of spent time watching film.” That’s saying the same thing he said but in a very bland yet truthful way.
But Michael deserves credit from telling the truth. It takes a lot for a 19 year old to speak honestly to some weasel with a J-School degree particularly after having played in one of the most humiliating basketball debacles in UCLA history.
by peggysue69 on Jan 17, 2010 7:04 PM PST via mobile reply actions
there is some truth
we have been trying to run the same offense the past 5 seasons… thing is it worked when we had players who can execute it namely AA, but now with different personnel we still try to run it…. that baseline cut doesn’t work coach…. even if we can free up roll for half a second at the corner, he can’t do anything with the ball, he is too slow to catch and shoot immediately, he is not athletic enough to drive past… we it does is he gets trap at the corner and then turnover… we need plays that is suitable for these players, not what worked with the previous group of studs
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