Nelson: I'm going to start at the four next season

Nelson: "I need to get quicker so I can guard the fours next year. The coaches told me I'm going to start at the four next season, so I'm focused on that. I'm trying to get my outside jumper back from high school."

Maybe this suggests JMM will be back, as I'd be surprised if JS stepped right in from day one. And glad RN recognizes the need to focus on defense.

(and, yes, I stole this link from AllHailMightyBruins' fanpost)

almost 2 years ago gbruin 23 comments 0 recs |

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Hmmm

Coaches already gifting Nelson the starting 4 spot over Lane? Must be nice (for Nelson).

by Nestor on Mar 16, 2010 10:11 AM PDT reply actions

Are you saying

Lane should start at 4 instead of RN? I think RN proved he is clearly superior to BL this season, but he did get a LOT more PT. If BL develops well over off season he can be a very meaningful sub for RN. But it sounds like RN is going to get the majority of the PT.

13-9

by UCLATrevor on Mar 16, 2010 10:26 AM PDT reply actions

I am saying

No one should be awarded the starting position at the end of this season. There should be open competition pretty much every spot heading into this offseason following one of the most disgraceful seasons in the history of UCLA basketball.

by Nestor on Mar 16, 2010 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

This

If there’s anything to be learned from football, it’s that nobody’s spot is ever safe. If a guy outplays you, you don’t get the spot. It’s as simple as that. Coaches should be telling RN in this type of situation that they want him to play the four and so long as he’s the best four out there, he’ll start.

For everything UCLA baseball, visit my UCLA baseball twitter.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 16, 2010 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

yup

by Nestor on Mar 16, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

I didn't catch this bit

Btw, you do a much better job with those posts. I’m lucky if I can get a link to work.

I do hope that RN hasn’t been promised a starting spot before offseason even starts. We’ve all seen what a sense of entitlement can do to a team. Considering that RN is such a scrapper, it might be even worse if he lost his edge.

by AllHailMightyBruins on Mar 16, 2010 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

It is all good

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Just keep at it and you will get use to all the SBN tools. And totally agree w/ you re. the last line on Nelson.

by Nestor on Mar 16, 2010 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree; if the coach's said

You are going to PLAY 4 next year that would be fine and good to get him ready. But saying he is going to start is wrong.

by DCBruins on Mar 16, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

JMM

I hope you are right but disagree with your logic. I think they 100% expect JS to step in day 1 and dominate.

by uclaves on Mar 16, 2010 10:41 AM PDT reply actions

They are delusional

If they expect Smith to ‘dominate’ from Day 1 w/o putting in the necessary work this off-season.

by Nestor on Mar 16, 2010 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions

He can start at the 4

but that doesn’t mean he won’t spend time at the 5. This has happened to every single one of Ben Howland’s 4s, if I’m not mistaken.

I expect Smith to come in in the shape that JMM currently is in, or better. JMM was waaaay further behind when he come on campus. Workouts with Kevin Love + expectations of being in the starting lineup should get his ass in gear. He should be in good enough shape to play half the game, with the rest split between JMM and RN.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Mar 16, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Well if we have a year like last year of course

We had six different 5s and five different starters at 5 last year. (Gordon, RN, JK, BL, and Rago). Bobo played but did not start.

by DCBruins on Mar 16, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Do we know for a fact that JMM won't get to train with KL?

And, if so, why not?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 16, 2010 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Smith does not need to dominate

Our center does not need to dominate. He needs to play good D and rebound from the start though. If we are back to M2M we need a 5 who can play D.

by DCBruins on Mar 16, 2010 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Another interpretation..

Perhaps he means that he was told he would first be used as (aka start) a 4 instead of as a 5, not necessarily that he would be the FIRST 4 to play in each game. Wishful thinking here?

by Chris09 on Mar 16, 2010 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

Wishful thinking

and I’m wishing the same. I just don’t believe it.

For everything UCLA baseball, visit my UCLA baseball twitter.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 16, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Wishful thinking

Even if RN misinterpreted it is wrong for coaches to leave that possibility. Coaches need to say this is a 14-18 team everyone has to work for their spot and time.

by DCBruins on Mar 16, 2010 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

That's how I interpreted the quote when I saw it...

I didn’t even consider that he meant starting line-up until I saw the headline of this fan-shot. I think this interpretation makes more sense. Obviously Nelson is not a 5 and it would be very odd for Howland to make a decision about the starting line-up before having a chance to practice with next year’s team.

by Spird on Mar 16, 2010 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

all sorts of things could have been said to RN

“We need you to really work on your mid-range game because you’re going to play the 4 next year”

“Right now our plan is to start you as a 4 while we’ve got all these guys trying out at the 5”

etc etc

by britishbruin on Mar 17, 2010 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions

If that is the case

then it’s another case of poor communication on CBH’s part. He needed to make it clear that RN would be playing the four, but he, like everyone else on the roster, has to earn a starting spot and playing time.

For everything UCLA baseball, visit my UCLA baseball twitter.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 17, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

My guess is that he paraphrased the coach

And I would object that it’s hearsay, even though I’m not a trial lawyer. In other words, I am not going to believe Howland said Nelson would start at 4 until Howland tells the media or actually starts Nelson at the 4.

The statement from CBH could have easily been: “We want you to work on outside game and quickness so that you are able to start at the 4.”

Nelson is better than Lane right now, but it’s a long offseason, and Lane has some intriguing qualities that, if honed and improved, could lead to him being a better 4 than Nelson as early as next year.

As to who plays the 5, I think the staff does expect Smith to start from day 1. I do not equate that to Smith dominating next year, but he should be a favorite for PAc-10 Freshman of the Year.

Concerning Bobo, you can’t teach agility (quickness/movement of feet). While it’s possible that Bobo’s agility could improve between his sophomore and junior year (think George Zidek), it is an absolute truth that his current lack of agility (slow-moving feet/cement shoes if you will) prevents him from being a meaningful contributor.

by BruinsRule on Mar 17, 2010 10:01 AM PDT reply actions