Is CBH Insane?
by shaq on Mar 7, 2010 12:51 AM PST
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PrintOne definition of insane is - someone who does the same thing over and over again and expects a different result. CBH sure seems to fit this definition. Several observations about some of the players on the team have been stated by numerous posters here on BN and also have been further supported by various former coaches and commentators. What other explanation can there be for CBH making the same erroneous coaching decisions repeatedly - he must be Insane. I've supported CBH just like many of us have for the last 6 years, but several of his coaching moves and management just don't make any sense. I'm pissed off because I just can't figure out what the heck he's doing or done with the following:
1. Handling/Planning of JH and the pg situation
2. Recruiting for the past 3 years (especially the fab soph class).
3. Urging of certain players to transfer (RW, CS, possibly DG)
4. Poor evaluation of JA, he has played too many minutes this year. As I and many others have stated before, he has absolutely no guard skills and is a TO machine. When he has the ball, I cringe, waiting for him to make a poor/slow pass, dribble it off his foot, let the defender take it from him, fall down with the ball, have a pass go off his stone-like hands. To add to this, he can't play defense at all, OLE!
5. The minutes given to ND - ridiculuous. He is not even a good shooter. When evaluating a shooter it is important to see how badly he misses his shots. A good shooter's missed shots will be in&out, slighly long, but generally still close to going in. A bad shooter's missed shots, conversely, have a lot of bricks. In most games, several of ND's missed shots are bricks, barely grazing the rim or clanging hard off the rim. Just by evaluating his missed shots, no one with any BBall knowledge could consider ND a good shooter, it's ridiculous!
6. Sticking with M2M defense for such a long time this season.
7. Team unity, morale, intensity, and accountability of his players.
8. Player development.
I would like to give CBH a pass for this year, but because of the multitude of issues wrt the program, I just can't do it. If we just had a lack of talent, but CBH seemed to be making reasonable coaching decisions, then I would let him have his mulligan year. However, it seems that the program has several problems.
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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Coaches need players to make plays
Several times this season I’ve seen UCLA run its offense effectively, setting up an open jumper or layup only to see the players not execute. The Bruins have been okay in their initial defense (first 20 seconds) while in zone but will overcommit to a pass fake or be a step late for a double in the post and give up an easy look or offensive rebound. In the end it comes down to players making plays. CBH has no control over missed free throws, missed defensive assignments or turnovers.
The simple solution to JA is to take him off the ball and allow him to play more a wing of two guard. He is comfortable in that role and is a decent shooter, but, unfortunately, he lacks the confidence and aggression to succeed in that capacity. Despite all of his short comings JA is still a much better option than MAH.
Howland is an outstanding coach. His treatment of ND notwithstanding. The issue I have with CBH regards style of play offensively. He is a proven winner and by no means is he crazy. UCLA would not be in a position to attract a better coach now or in the immediate future – thinking other than that is insanity.
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.
Ben Howland is a very good coach
However, he did a horrible job of coaching this season. His leadership also has opened up number of issues concerning UCLA basketball which extends beyond lack of adequate pg play or the use of Dragovic. Moreover, the issues that have become clear this season has put in perspective the problems we might have been in denial over in previous 2 seasons.
If Howland doesn’t make a sincere effort to address those issues within next 2 years, then UCLA will have to seriously consider whether Howland is the answer for long term.
Correcting the Structural Flaws
I have been convinced by you and others that as the man in charge CBH has to look carefully at his staff.
We need assistant coaches who can:
1. Evaluate talent and recruit;
2. Contribute to coaching basic skills — free throws and footwork for the big guys;
3. And, help CBH by being brutally honest with him when they think he is doing something wrong.
The cracks in the walls and pavement, some poor recruiting decisions, lack of improvement in most players over the entire season, and the use of at least one player for far too many minutes, are symptoms of the deeper structural problem.
I think CBH is a brilliant coach and a very good man who understands the legacy program for which he is the Caretaker. More than wins and Final Fours I value him because he values our heritage.
That’s why, as upset with him as I can be at times — and as the season went on those times became more frequent, I truly believe he is the right man for the job and that we could not do better — no matter what we were willing to pay.
However, if he does not take a hard look at the structure I will be deeply disappointed.
sjh
Agree, good coach
He just does not seem to be sticking with the principles that made him so good. He has seemed like an imposter this year (and a bit last year too). He is so off track this year that it’s more than mind boggling.
The number of issues and questionable decisions are alarming. I’m serioisly worried about the program. It also does not help that other coaches in the PAC-10 are doing a better job of emulating the old CBH.
This off-season will decide
It’s ok to make mistakes.
It’s not okay to not learn from them. -gb
I have to believe that CBH is more upset with the results this year than any of us. His frequent mea culpae (is that the plural?) show that he recognizes when he should have made changes.
It’s clear to me that his stubborness makes him very slow to react when changes are needed. He cannot do it as a snap decision in a game (e.g., Memphis). It took weeks this season for some glaring mistakes to be corrected (e.g., zone defense, PG).
I’m hoping that this off-season will provide CBH enough time and opportunity to look back, see where mistakes were made, and to clean up many of the remaining errors going forward (e.g, recruiting evaluation, personel decisions, schemes, in-game management, etc). If he does, then we can look forward to more successful years for UCLA Basketball. If not, then this year will not be a one-time aberration.
Insane? No.
Too slow to react and too stubborn to change? Absolutely.
Let’s hope this year’s results force some improvement in the latter.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
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