Our Favorite Bruins: Part II
by Nestor on May 12, 2010 4:56 AM PDT
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Well not surprisingly the Part 1 of this discussion in which we all tried to create a list of 15 of our favorite Bruins (from 6 to 20), turned into a pretty amazing thread. That was really the purpose for it. One of the big reasons I wanted to share that post because I thought it would rush back some wonderful memories and it did exactly that.
This discussion more than anything is meant to stir up memories of the Bruins you were fortunate enough to see in person or on television, while the action was playing out. This means at least for yours truly, not being able to include legends like Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Kenny Easley, Gary Beban, Jackie Robinson, and so many other legends, who I never got to see them play in a Bruin uniform.
The list that I put up by no means was meant to be a list of the fifteen greatest Bruins of all time. That at least for me is an impossible task. Perhaps someone here at BN wants to take a stab at that endeavor but IMHO that will take perhaps at least half dozen posts and perhaps dividing it up in various categories.
Also, IMHO Coach Wooden stands out in a separate category all by himself. I think he is someone who stands for something that goes beyond sports. At least for me when it comes to his place at Bruins Nation, he doesn't belong in any kind of list because there is just no comparison to what he stands for and what he means to all of us.
So that brings us to Part II of this discussion. I don't think my top-5 is going to be any kind of surprise to the regular readers on BN.
In this case I actually didn't have any problem ranking them. Here are my favorite Bruins of all time:
1. Ed O'Bannon: I have already written few times about who IMHO is the unquestionable King of UCLA basketball (in Post Wooden era). You can check out those posts here, and here. I wonder if we will ever see someone like Eddie O. I am just not talking about his basketball abilities but the story that he weaved together while going through his emotional journey in five years in Westwood. I think only AA came close in terms of matching Eddie's passion and leadership abilities in a UCLA basketball uniform but it was Eddie who brought home that banner.
There are just many memories related to Ed and I think I have shared all the ones I can remember. There was that thunder dunk in his very first game in a Bruin uniform against Stanford at Pauley. Everyone who was there should remember that moment when Eddie took off (from what looked to us from the student section) from the FT line and just hammered it down over a hapless Cardinal defender. Ok, he got called for the offensive foul. It didn't matter. He brought Pauley down.
He brought Pauley down to tears on his senior day when he held up his son right infront of the student section (like the Lion King of Westwood). There were no dry eyes in that student section and it got even more emotional when he kissed the center court right before he left Pauley. Then there was the run in the Big Dance, ending up with that perfect night in Seattle. Ed O remains as die hard Bruin as ever. Here he was leading the 8 clap at the Bruin Bash during 2006 Final-4:
There have been lot of great UCLA basketball players of the years. Yet I personally have never felt the kind of emotional connection I have felt with Ed. Perhaps it was due to the fact that we started school at the same time. Perhaps it was seeing just how he battled through adversity. Perhaps it was seeing the way - incredibly humble and gracious - he carried himself to rest of the student body. It was a love affair with Ed O from the moment he stepped on the court and it will remain that way for the rest of our lives.
2. Cade McNown: In my book Cade is the greatest QB ever to put on a UCLA uniform. I am sure many will advance legitimate arguments on behalf of Gary Beban, since he won the Heisman. For me though what he did in his four years as starter including that 4-0 record against you know who clinches the deal. Cade is lot more than my favorite UCLA QB. He is my favorite UCLA football player of all time. Obviously there was the magical 20 game winning streak. There was those incredible scrambles into the end zone:
For me though the classic Cade moment I can remember was during a game against Washington in his junior season at UCLA. The game was at the Rose Bowl. The house was packed with more than 80,000 Bruins in the stands. I can't recall what half the play took place but I remember Cade just taking off in a boot leg and when he saw a Husky LB he just slammed right into him and decked him into the ground. It was Cade who looked like the LB in that collision and the glare he gave after that hit left no doubt about it. He was the ultimate, old school warrior QB who played with no fear, willing his team to victories time after time. Speaking of warrior moments there was also this against one of the most amazing game at the Rose Bowl against Oregon Ducks:
Yeah he literally left everything on the field (we won that game BTW for the younguns who can't remember). That year was actually full of amazing nail biting victories which also included last minute TDs against Oregon State and a TD saving swat by Marques Anderson against Stanford during the home coming game.
It is just too bad Brian Poli Dixon had to fumble away what was going to be a sure fire TD against Miami and the zebras called a fumble when Brad Melsby was CLEARLY DOWN on December 5, 1998. Otherwise, I have no doubt Cade would have brought home a BCS championship against T. Martin's Tennessee in 1999. In my mind there is no doubt. Number 18 is the greatest QB ever to play in a UCLA uniform and he might have an argument for being perhaps the best ever to play the game as a Bruin.
3. Tyus Edney: Well point guard has been a key topic of discussion during last year in Westwood. I just have to laugh a little when remembering how none of us even knew who Tyus was when he stepped on the court as a true freshman. IIRC Edney was part of a two men freshman class which also brought in George Zidek in 1991. At that time all the attention was around UCLA's other much heralded underclassmen such as Ed O'Bannon, Sean Tarver and even Rodney Zimmerman (hey he was Colorado's player of the year!).
Edney was an afterthought (out of Long Beach Poly) who would perhaps give us some backup minutes behind seniors like Derrick Martin and Gerald Madkins. I can't remember which dorm he lived in but he would come to Puzzles (at the time the cafeteria for brand spanking new Sunset Village in its very first year) a lot. I had met him during summer before freshman year (during an early enrollment program at UCLA) and he never gave any hint of being a scholarship player on the UCLA hoops team. Then came the road game against Arizona and Tyus busted into the scene essentially emerging as a key catalyst in Bruins' first win in the desert in years. From then on it was clear that it was a matter of time Edney would take over the starting spot from Derrick Martin, and he did before the regular season came to an end.
Of course any casual UCLA fan remembers him for the 4.8 seconds: Not many remember the chance he had to win the game against Fab-Five in his sophomore season in the second round of the Big Dance. That was a game in which Ed O went off for 30+ points (before Harrick cooled him off by taking him out right when he absolutely on fire). Anyway, the Wolverines came back and evened up the game and Edney had chance to win the game by going right to the hoop in closing seconds. Instead he tried to dish it off to Zimmerman for a layup and he just couldn't convert. So as our team was making that charge through 1995 season, all of those incredible memories (including that torrid shooting performance against the Calhoun's Dick Vitale/ESPN hyped Huskies in Oakland) became even more special, when thinking back to the heartbreaks we collectively experienced during his four years in Westwood.
UCLA being the "Point Guard U" I am sure others have their own favorite floor general. For yours truly though no one stands above Tyus Edney. Perhaps it's the bond from those early 90s culminating in the greatest basketball season in Post-Wooden era. I can't completely explain. In my mind Tyus Edney while striking that pose following the end of the half three point bomb against Huskies in Oakland cemented himself as one of my five favorite Bruins of all time.
4. JJ Stokes: I almost didn't get to watch JJ's breakout game that became the stuff of legends thanks to his heroics with John Barnes. That was my sophomore year at UCLA and I had pretty much decided that I didn't want to go to the Rose Bowl to see the Trojans beat up on the Bruins who were having a pretty mediocre season (which was becoming frequent in Terry Donahue's last 5 years in Westwood). Anyway, my buddies cared enough to talk some sense into me and I decided to go. The result was of course epic culminating in one of JJ's signature moments as a Bruin as he literally dragged Jason Oliver (the hapless Trogan DB) like a ragdoll into the endzone at the end of that amazing TD:
What many don't remember though is that JJ actually emerged in the game before when he was the catalyst in a huge win against Oregon up in Eugene. He was just rounding into form and setting himself up for one of the best regular season at UCLA WR the following year.
While it's the epic comeback against the Trojans that will be burned into casual fans' memories, my favorite game featuring JJ was the one against Washington Huskies in his junior year (ending up with a Pac-10 championship) at the Rose Bowl. JJ put on perhaps one of the most dominating performances I have ever seen by a college WR in person. I couldn't find the stats from that day but IIRC he had close to if not more than 200 yards in receiving that day and 4 TDs. He was an unstoppable machine destroying the Huskies all on his own. Essentially he was playing like the college version of Jerry Rice. He ended up having 17 TDs that junior season and also did everything he could to win the Rose Bowl for us (176 receiving yards and a Rose Bowl record at the time) against Wisconsin. Except for Cade McNown I have never seen a UCLA offensive player dominate game after game JJ did that season.
JJ's number went down in his senior season because all the teams were game planning around him. Yet the focus on him allowed for the emergence of other weapons like Kevin Jordan, who went on to have great senior season. Of course as a Niner fan many of us were beyond excited when JJ got drafted in the first round. Even though it didn't work out, what JJ did during his UCLA career for something truly special. I know CRN has mentioned how he wants Nelson Rosario to emerge like JJ Stokes this coming season. I am not sure if any other UCLA receiver will ever have the kind of career he did at UCLA. If Rosario can capture some of the magic JJ shared with us during his Bruin days, we will have a chance to have a solid season next year.
5. Arron Afflalo: AA is the only one in this group who wasn't in school at the time yours truly attended UCLA. Not surprisingly sometimes we form natural bond and connection with the athletes we attended school with. It happens organically especially when you identify someone as part of your graduating class or someone you attended classes with on campus. Still I think AA is one of those Bruins who transcended number of generations given the way he helped Coach Ben Howland rebuild our program and carried himself off the court.
AA came into UCLA with the goal of bringing back the Bruins where they belong after the previous sham, fraud of a head coach had flushed the program down the gutter. He embraced from the get go what Howland's philosophy of basketball grounded in hard nose, all out intense defense, rebounding, fundamentals and precision offense. Instead of coming in a kid with entitlement he (along with Jordan Farmar) figured out how to co-exist and when appropriate defer to senior such as DT in his freshman season, before taking over the leadership responsibilities starting in his second season.
More than anything what I loved about AA was how he always started with defense. There were games when AA or his team-mates were not clicking offensively. That is when AA always took the initiative to serve as the anchor for the team by digging deep and locking it up on defense. We saw that play out on so many big games including nail biting, thrillers against teams such as Indiana, Pittsburgh, Memphis and a beat down on LSU. When AA experienced those rare losses, you could sense he was taking it just as hard as anyone on BN or any other hardcore Bruin fan, and coming back with even more vengeance. And even when AA won he acted like this:
AP Photo
It was moments like that one which made AA one of the basketball kings of Westwood. I will just end with this comment from AA little more than three years ago:
"When you think of USC football, you think of Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, more TV-type stuff. It's not your typical atmosphere," said UCLA's Arron Afflalo, the Pac-10's basketball player of the year. "I think it's good to stay behind the scenes a little bit and shine when it's time. Who am I dating? I'm dating a little orange basketball."
Any other questions on why he is one of my top-5 Bruins? Perhaps Coach Howland wants to blow up those quotes, make a poster out of them and give them to this year's team (particularly to Jerime Anderson) as a reminder on what kind of dedication it takes to achieve the status of a legend in Bruin Nation.
So there you have it. My apologies to those who I got to watch and didn't include in the list. It is incredibly tough to leave out guys like Reggie Miller, Gerald Madkin, Mitchell Butler, Tracy Murray, J.R. Sakuragi (Henderson), Charles O'Bannon, Baron Davis, Troy Aikman, Earl Watson, Wayne Cook, Vaughn Parker, Carlton Gray, Sean LaChappelle, Scottie Miller, Jim Macelroy, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, Othello Henderson, Donovan Gallatin, Brian Wilmer, Brandon Ayanbadejo, the Ball Brothers, Matt Ware, Robert Thomas, Jason Kapono, Kevin Jordan, John Barnes, Brandon Chiller, Spencer Havner, Drew Olson, Marcedes Lewis, Jordan Farmar, Cedric Bozeman, Kevin Love, Brian Price and ATV other great Bruins I got to see in person over the years.
It is also tough to leave out Bruins like Natalie Williams, Cobi Jones, Lisa Fernandez, Annette Salmeen, Brad Fiedel, Jenny Johnson, Jeff Nygaard, who all had great careers while I was attending school. That doesn't make any of them any less special.
I just wanted to share with you a list of who made an impression on me while I had the pleasure to watch and root for them in UCLA uniform. What is clear when making this type of list is realizing how lucky we are to root for the four letters. I am not sure how many other schools are out there that can put together a list like this featuring so many great players from both football and basketball (and we haven't even covered athletes from other sports).
Anyway, now its time for you to share your top 5 favorite Bruins of all time. If you didn't get to chime in the first thread might as well get your 2 cents in this one with your all time favorites. Just fire away. Hoping this will bring up lot of fun memories spanning decades of Bruin athletics.
GO BRUINS.
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An unfair task!
It’s tough to differentiate the “greatest” Bruins from my “favorite” Bruins. Truly, my all-time favorites were those who were, first, among my good friends, and who also happened to be athletes. So Yolande Mavity and Renee Kelly and Jen Greenhut (gymnastics) and Jim Wagner or Brian Kelly (FB) or Lisa Tom (soccer, pre Div 1) or Phil Hadfield (WP) and several others others would top any list.
But, to follow N’s list of high profile athletes that I watched, here’s my list:
5. Don MacLean. What a competitor. Just an offensive machine who enjoyed ripping his opponent’s guts out. And those of us in the Den, before it was The Den, ate it up.
4. Reggie Miller I still get goosebumps thinking how he nearly singlehandedly brought us back at Pauley to beat ND with a barrage of 25-30 ft bombs. Best outside shooter ever. Another guy who loved ripping his opponent’s heart out, showing it to him, sticking a knife in it, twisting it, and looking at him with disdain, and smirking, as
3. Lisa Longaker. Before Lisa Fernandez, and before women’s softball became an Olympic sport and gained more national prominence, Lisa ruled softball. 3 titles. Twice POY. One of
my best friends.
2. Darren Collison. 3 F4s. He stayed at UCLA when he didn’t have to. His rookie year in the NBA shows he sacrificed his play in college to fit in CBH’s scheme, and we never heard a complaint or anything to put himself ahead of team. A true Bruin.
1. Troy Aikman. So good. Always class. Still loves his Bruin roots and never fails to mention “a former Bruin” on his Fox telecasts.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
1. Russell Westbrook
Russell was simply the most fun and exciting player I’ve ever watched. And he loved defense. I just wish we could have watched him play in the Blue and Gold one more year.
2. Aaron Afflalo
I don’t know how we made it to two straight final fours with him as our go to scorer, but he always found a way to get it done. He was the ultimate warrior.
3. Rahim Moore
Not only have we yet to see his best, but he has an incredible attitude. I feel good about our young defense next year knowing he will be the leader of it.
4. Alfred Aboya
The squirrels on campus need not fear anymore, now that the President has moved on. He worked for four years, and turned himself into a warrior by the time he was a senior.
5. Brian Price
Not only was he a beast, him leading many of the students on an alternate route up to Royce on the last sanctioned Undie Run is one of my favorite UCLA memories.
We're havin' too much fun today. We ain't thinkin' 'bout tomorrow.
i did what i could...
- baron davis
- akeem ayers
- rahim moore
- ed o’ bannon
- skip hicks
baron— yes i forgot to include him 6-20. i had #1 reserved for Coach. but like nestor said, he really should have his own category, and therefore it was real easy for me to cover up my oops.
akeem and rahim, pure ballers. really getting excited for 9/4.
eddie o – take a look at nestor’s up top. i was still in high school – already a UCLA fan – but i remember watching the arkansas game and i will never forget it. i also saw the mizzou game with tyus…
skip hicks – double overtime win against u$¢* he ran right into the end zone almost straight at me. i just missed being on camera… the most incredible game i’ve been at in person…
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." --John Wooden
Well, here we go
Unlike Nestor I didn’t go for just the guys that I watched play and rooted for, I went for the guys that inspire me and make me proud to be a Bruin, otherwise my list would be identical to Nestor’s, which should be no surprise since we were in school at the same time and watched the same games!
In no particular order:
1. Arthur Ashe
2. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
3. Bill Walton
4. Cade McNown
5. Ed O’Bannon
As I said though, my list would have Tyus and JJ on it for sure…then I’d be torn between AA and MJD…but AA would probably win out, and PAA would be very, very close behind.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Jackie Robinson Make This Kind of List for me
Jackie lettered in four sports, football, basketball, track and baseball. After that, he only broke the color barrier and went on to win the World Series with my Brooklyn Dodgers. Unlike the Trogies, who have O.J. as their number one representative, we have Jackie, who is honored every year by all of Major League Baseball. We can have be proud to have Jackie Robinson as the face of UCLA Sports.
You are right
but I never saw Jackie in real life, and as much of an icon as he is, I couldn’t put him in my own personal top 5. He is in my top 20 though, of course.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
My five
1. Gail Goodrich – Gail scored 42 pts to beat Michigan in the 1965 Championship and averaged 21.5 to win during the 63-64 Championship run. He started the Bruins Championship runs including a 30-0 season. I actually had the chance to represent Gail in a matter and went to a Laker’s/Celtics playoff game in the 80’s, so he’s a personal favorite for other reasons as well. Gail, along with Lew Alcindor, Bill Walton and Coach Wooden, are the only Bruins in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
2. DC – As a four year Bruin in an era where great players don’t stay four years, DC was the player who I enjoyed watching every game, who gave his all to the program, had a great work ethic from day one – had the quickness that Coach Wooden admired most in a baskeball player, played offense and defense with the same intensity, and developed a three point shot that won or kept us in game after game. He’s a great person, my daughter’s favorite Bruin (she met him in the dorm and fell in love with the guy) so he has all pluses, no minuses and has the benefit of recency. He’s part of the great run to three final fours. Ya gotta love em.
3. Marques Johnson – Marques was the best player on the 1975 Championship team that won the last game Coach John Wooden ever coached. He was a high flying leaper who could also shoot and won player of the year as a senior. He led a comeback from 25 pts down versus Notre Dame that was the most exciting game I ever saw in person as a Bruin.
4. Dave Meyers – In 1971 Freshman were not eligible to play Varsity athletics. Dave was part of the Meyers, Trgovich, Andre McCarter 1971 recruiting class who played with my best friend on the UCLA Freshman team, so I he became part of our circle of friends, along with his roommate, Big Al (who was around 5’5".) Meyers was provided legendary defense, known as Spiderman for his long arms and legs, rebounding and senior leadership that produced CJW last national championship my senior year as a Bruin.
5. Keith Wilkes – Known as Silk for his smooth jumpshot, Keith (later Jamaal) was the epitome of the highly skilled, two way (defense and offense), and the consumate team player. He was satisfied to play out of the limelight, that was dominated by Bill Walton, and as a member of the Walton Gang, won two national championships, ran out the 88 game winning streak, and almost won a third in 1974. His quality as a player was shown when he went to the NBA, won a championship with Golden State in 1975 and was named to the All NBA Defensive team twice.
Big Red was the best college basketball player I ever saw, and I saw him play all three years. He was the obvious key to the 2 national championships. He has been a huge UCLA proponent and John Wooden’s number one disciple. However, I met him one time and he wasn’t really friendly in that encounter (probably just a bad day) so I can’t put him on my favorites list. He and Kareem (Lewis) were the best college basketball players ever and I consider Kareem to be the best basketball player of all time. However, they don’t make my personal list.
Ed O
No doubt he carried the 1995 team on his back during an incredible run that started about mid-way through the Pac-10 season. His stats as a senior were really impressive.
Mins. fg% 3pt% ft% rb a s ppg.
94-95 UCLA 34.2 53.3 43.3 78.5 8.3 2.5 1.9 20.4
guess i'm showing my age
5. Rick Neuheisel – great performance in the Rose Bowl…
4. Kenny Easley – bone crushing tackles and a great punt returner…
3. Wendell Tyler – a true gutty lil Bruin…My first Rose Bowl with Dad…
2. Ed O’Bannon – heart of a lion…
1. Cade McNown – never lost to Sc…
just missed – Jim Spillane – Wally Henry – Kiki Vandeweghe – Raymond Townsend – David Greenwood – Lupe Sanchez – Theotis Brown it goes on and on….
man the days of Jim Spillane and Marques Johnson when Pauley was sold out every game and the roof was ready to blow off…
nice post Nestor…
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that count's"
John Wooden.....
Love your top 5
Can’t argue with any of them. Thanks for the highlights as well…all my favorites.
by RealisticBruinFan on May 12, 2010 9:12 AM PDT reply actions
Truely impossible task. I will be leaving people out that deserve to be here.
1. Lew Alcindor
2. Bill Walton
3. John Smith
4. Wayne Collett
5. Wendell Tyler
A few more that made an impression on me:
Willie Banks, Kevin Young, Mickey Cureton, Keith Wilkes, Sidney Wicks, DeShaun Foster, MJD, Henry Bibby, Lucius Allen, Tyus Edney, DC, KL, JJ Stokes, James Owens, Gail Devers, Jonathan Ogden, Donnie Edwards, and……
Era
Funny how the list is biased on the era one was at UCLA. I like most of Nestor’s picks for that reason. The Washington Husky game on the road with JJ was incredible. Before that it was a fairly medicore year.
Looking forward to more Bruin legends being made in the next few years. Looks like at the moment football has the upper hand.
nm
thinking of a different game on the road then… Didn’t JJ have a monster game up there, long TD catch, can’t remember which game…
That was an awkward game for me
I was there all geared up in Bruin gear, sitting in the UW family section. My best friend from HS was on that Huskies team and got us tickets to sit with his parents. I really miss those large Rose Bowl crowds.
Impossible...so I thought I'd limit it to greats who played while I was there
Some of less recognized (in these threads), yet truly great Bruins from the mid 80’s:
Gaston Green
John Lee
Duval Love
Flipper Anderson
James Washington
I was wondering if it was just me with Flipper Andrson
Though that was highly influenced by his incredible Monday night game with the Rams!
by Bruin Dad and Grad on May 12, 2010 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
My top 5
Aaron Afflalo – If Janou Rubin had picked Morrison up off the floor he would have made my top 20.
Cade McNown – Throughout my second and third year, I was never in doubt as a Bruin football fan thanks to this man. “What’s that you say? We can’t march the ball the length of the field in 12 seconds. Apparently you’ve never met my friend Cade McMotherF***ingNown”
Danny Farmer – Not to take anything away from Cade but he could have punted the ball into the fourth row and Danny Farmer would have found a way to make the catch and stay in bounds.
Maurice Jones Drew – Electrifying, against all odds. Unstoppable on the few occasions he was allowed to run in space. The only person that could stop Mo Drew was Karl Dorrell.
Baron Davis – I’ll never forget Baron’s last game in Pauley when he single handedly beat Washington by scoring 180 points all on dunks from the three point line. Okay, maybe that’s not exactly what happened but the sheer awesomeness of what he actually did fried my brain to the point where I now just have to make up stuff when retelling that story.
Let me give this a try
Sticking to people whom I’ve been able to watch.
1) King Ed: I still remember that SI photo of him, Kareem, Bill & Coach Wooden lying down at halfcourt. His SR year was magical and I’ll forever love him for bringing a banner to Pauley. Always a class act and we got jobbed against the Fab Five.
2) Cade McNown: The consummate warrior who while yacking still led us to victories. I would have really like to have seen our offense take on Tenn for a NC.
3) MJD: These combines and recruiting sites love to pimp measureables but they fail to gauge a players heart. MJD was ALL HEART and he played like it on the field. Perfect example is the closing seconds against OU when he broke loose and could have padded his stats but instead fell down to run clock. His tribute to his late grandfather was touching and he’s still repping UCLA hardcore.
4) AA: I’m forever indebted to him for restoring UCLA Bball. Still remember that jumper at Galen shutting all the sucsters up as well as lending a hand to a fellow competitor. Man, I miss this kid.
5) Foster: Before the www, I eagerly was anticipating his arrival from Tustin HS. Was scared he might go to UT with the success Ricky Williams from SD had down there. The guy was so smooth/graceful when running and he would have had a good shot at winning the Heisman if not for his violation of rules.
Way OT
but since you mentioned MJD’s tribute to his grandfather, anyone who hasn’t seen it should watch this video on a high school aged Chris Paul’s tribute to his slain grandfather http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuMPVq2YzTk. Maybe I’m just a softie but I tear up every time.
Can you imagine
if Cade had JJ to work with? I mean, of course, he had Danny Flying Farmer…but can you just imagine?
All we actually needed in 1998 were competent refs on a certain Saturday in December…what an epic way to get screwed.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
It wasn't needed!
Especially if Ayvanbadejo hadn’t gotten hurt that game…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
This is tough for me, but easy at the same time
because while I have had hundreds of Bruins athletes I have loved since my dad started taking me to football games in the mid 70’s, there are a few who have really made a huge impact to me as a lifelong Bruin fan. Here is my top 5. I am sure they are not the same as yours, but I definitely have my reasons:
1) Don Rogers. Safety: My absolute favorite Bruin of all-time. Maybe it is because he played the same position I did when I was in high school…….I don’t know. But I absolutely loved this guy. When he died, it literally took me months to get over it. He was an incredible hitter in the secondary and I loved watching him make “highlight reel” hits game after game. He made ferocious hits. He was a leader of the defense, and everyone knew it. People always remember Easley, Turner, and Darby, as well as others. For my money, Don Rogers had it all and if not for his untimely death, would have been an All-Pro for years and years in the NFL. He was everything you ever wanted as a Bruin.
2) Tyus Edney: What a player! An local kid with tons of charisma, tons of game, and tons of heart. Led us to a National Championship with guts and an incredible shot against Missouri that is still replayed each and every March. That moment didn’t define him however, it just was the cherry on the top. He led a talented group of players and was the motor for that team. I loved watching him and grow as a player.
3) Cade McNown: What an era for UCLA football. Each and every Saturday was a thrill ride better than any at Six Flags. The Oregon State comeback his senior year was the defining game of many in my opinion. The guy led us to so many come from behind victories and thrilling upsets that I can’t possibly list them all. He was a southpaw gunslinger who didn’t ever back away from a challenge………and boy did he kick USC’s ass year after year. I hope someday we get another one like him, but I don’t know if they make them like him anymore.
4) Gaston Green: I honestly believe that he was our best running back (including MJD) in the past 25 years, and we have had many outstanding tailbacks. He was ultra quick and tough as nails. He was a yardage machine and watching him run was a joy to watch. He was small, but he was tough. While we have had many great one’s, to me he stands slightly above.
5) Eddio O: No top 5 can be complete without Eddie O’Bannion. The year that he had when we won the National Championship was nothing short of amazing. It wasn’t all him, as we had a great team. But boy could he play, and boy did he during his senior year. It wasn’t just his play however, it was also his sure joy and pride for UCLA. He loved the university, he had so much pride for the four letters and for our history. He understood it, and he demanded all his teammates live up to it. It didn’t matter who got hurt or who was starting where……….Eddie O. was going to make sure we won that National Championship if it was the last thing he did before leaving UCLA.
Don Rogers.....Very good choice.
There are just too many to remember them all. If you are old enough, you could easily have a top 20 for track, football, basketball and I am sure many could do 20 in baseball as well.
Someone else that brings to mind is Jack Gifford. I never saw him play because I was too young, my parents knew Jack and Rhodine very well.
by LongtimeBru on May 13, 2010 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
My Five (No particular order)
Cade McNown- i totally agree with Nestor on this one and I remember that game and play against Washington where he blew over that LB. From that point on I new we were going to win that game. He would not let that team lose, and if it werent for BPD dropping that ball on the way to the endzone and that call on melsby we would have won that game… Even with the rumors of Toledo being a dickhead and not letting players where the black wrist bands.
Christian Ramirez- Not the best player we have ever had but I really appreciate toughness and dedication which is why he makes my five. He was the defensive quarterback in 13-9.
Tyus Edney- Dont really know to much more about him than his senior year at UCLA because that was when I saw my first game at home against Rick Berrys Oregon State team. He opened the game with a three and we never looked back. That year he guided us to the national championship game, and who can obviosuly forget 4.8 and of course that sick behind the back lay up against Ok State in the final four.
Rick Neuheisel – Never got to see him play cause I am just not old enough but watching this guy make a compleet 180 with the attitude of this program has been amazing. He loves UCLA and wants us to be at the top and I truley believe he thinks he can get there. And he understands what being a bruin is all about.
Darren Collison – The best point gaurd I have seen at length at UCLA, its a true shame that he never got a chance to win a title, ecpsecially since he came back to do so and just didnt have the help to get there. He had an attitude that you do not often see in a college player anymore, one in which he put the team first and listened to his coach and got the most out of his time on the practice court at pauley.
Skip Hicks – So many memories of this guy being so resiliant with knee injuries and such and still coming out on game day and working the opposition. That game against Washington State in his senior year in which we should have won (excpet for a blown call at the goal line)he had like 198 yards rushing. big time baller, got to see him play for the redskins once at candle stick, yes candle stick. Dont think he was to impressive then but its always nice to see bruins in the NFL:.
Honorable mention
Karl Dorrell – Never got to see him as a player but I heard he was pretty good. Not a great head football coach but I do not think he was ever meant to be a HC. But other than that, he was a great person with phenominal integrity. Got to spend a few days with at the flashback fantasy football camp and he was a really cool guy to be around. Anyone who has ever worked with or for him has the utmost repsect for him, which is to be commended. great guy, great bruin for life.
My List
Great list Nestor. You were understandably bias toward the people during your time on campus. My caveat is I picked people I saw in person during their UCLA careers with one cheat.
5. Reggie Miller. I will never forgot the Notre Dame where he shot the game winner from 27 feet. He could have shot from closer but unlike Rago, he was good from that far. People forget that when he started he only shot outside. Over his career he learned to score going to the basket and to draw fouls. I have also never seen a guy better under pressure, Mock Giant Ears, chants of Cheryl never bothered him, in fact he enjoyed it.
4. Aaron Affalo. One of the classiest people I have ever seen perform. It was not just that he led the team on offense his junior year but he also was the best defender. The standard for Ben Ball Warriors.
3. Cade McNown. His offenses were fun to watch. Was at the UCLA v. Miami game which if we won we would have played for the National Championship. There was a feeling that the last team with the ball was going to win because our Cade lead offense was unstoppable. (If only Poli-Dixon had not fumbled or they blew the ball dead.)
2. Ed O’Bannon. The leader of our last national championship run. He did with a cadaver knee tendon and willpower.
1. John Wooden. Okay, I am cheating a bit on multiple levels listing him #1. But to me he is what UCLA Athletics stands for. No, I did not see him coach nor is he a player. But I did hear him speak at UCLA and I love his books. He is inspiring. He embodies UCLA athletics. During my time at UCLA, every UCLA sport team got a speech from him and I only wish I was good enough at the some sport to hear a pregame speech by him.
John Wooden is not cheating
we should all have him on our list, just cause it is so obvious does not mean he is not the greatest of all. nice
Before my time but he changed the world
I am with 75NatChamps on Jackie Robinson. IMHO, Jackie Robinson is the best there ever was because he was a great athlete both at UCLA and professionally and he helped change America. Larry Doby broke the color bar in the American League; a great man in his own right. I saw an interview of his son, Larry Doby Jr. The son only referred to Jackie Robinson as Mr. Robinson. The term “Mr. Robinson” in our culture has an amusing sound because of the children’s show host by the same name. And people my age get a knowing smirk when we think of Mrs. Robinson’s husband in “The Graduate.” But I was so struck by the respect shown by Doby’s son for Mr. Robinson, that’s what I often call my favorite Bruin even in casual conversation.
Last two points.
I spoke to an old codger several years ago who was a sportwriter for the Daily Bruin and actually saw Mr. Robinson play. The old codger’s comment, “Man, could he steal home!”
And yes, Coach stands alone and is such a compelling icon he does not fit on a list but if you put him on it—God bless you.
That is one of the great things about UCLA
We not only had great teams/players but amazing/iconic sports figures. I know I cheated with Coach as my number 1 but you are right about Robinson. JRS for baseball and John Wooden court for basketball is pretty amazing!
My Top 5 Bruins That Played in My Lifetime
1. Mr. T. Aikman – Yes, he may have only played years, and maybe this is based off of more for what he did in his NFL career and retirement, but as gbruin pointed out, he has always represented UCLA with class. I love it when he goes on PTI wearing UCLA gear
2. Cade McNown – He made my college years awesome. Enough said.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew – I love the little guy. Like Mr. Aikman, I see MJD representing us with class for many years, even after his playing days are over.
4. Darren Collison – I love all the Ben Ball warriors, but DC’s loyalty to UCLA earned a special place in my heart. Once again, I have a soft spot for the little guys.
5. Tyus Edney – 4.8 and my soft spot for the little guys
Honorable Mention – Lisa Fernandez. I played softball as a kid, so I was thrilled to find that UCLA had such a rich history in softball. Lisa Fernandez is one of the main reasons for that.
love Troy but
he never beat southern cal…
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that count's"
John Wooden.....
Golden Bruins
Here are my five in alphabedical order. I have so much respect for each person, I can’t bear to rank one above another.
Darren Collison – One of my favorite games was when he and AA shot The Standard out of the game at Arizona on national TV. He grew on me more every year and wound up as one of my all-time favorites.
Tyus Edney – He was impressive from the first game he played as a freshman, weaving though lots of bigger players en route to the hoop. I practically broke the floor and ceiling of my apartment jumping up and down after 4.8. Remember how he then schooled UConn, driving straight through the trees to hit a reverse layup and hitting a long three-pointer right before halftime? He wasn’t just a great player; he scored with flair.
Cobi Jones – One of the greatest examples of an athlete who overcomes doubters by playing his heart out and practicing harder than the next guy every time on the field. He became a legendary member of the US Soccer team and, like everyone else on this list, was a consummate class act.
Maurice Jones-Drew – Simply a blast to watch. The good guy’s alternative to Reggie Bush with humility, equal (or greater) talent, and a great sense of humor.
Ed O’Bannon – From a blowout knee injury to a national championship, he had so many sublime games. I loved watching him rain threes at Berkeley, torch Duke at Pauley, and casually stroll down Bruin Walk with a backpack slung over his shoulder the rest of the week.
Great call
to have Cobi Jones on there. He was a great Bruin.
And as Nestor said, the King’s humility was truly inspiring. It was really awesome to watch him walk around campus just like the rest of the students (unlike Tracy Murray who was kind of an ass during his UCLA years LOL!).
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Really?
I thought Tracy was really cool on campus. I saw him show up in few parties during my freshman year. He would usually come by with Butler. Both were really good guys.
The only person from that M&M team that I didn’t see much of was Don MacLean. He seems like a nice guy during his TV commentary now though.
I'm sort of kidding
Tracy was just a little more showy than others. He wasn’t exactly shy LOL! Mostly, I don’t think humility was one of his finest traits! But you’re right, he was a nice dude one on one.
I had lunch a few times with Shon Tarver and Tyus Edney when I was a freshman, that was fun. Tyus was in my English class, the professor made us edit other people’s papers…I got his a couple of times. He was such a nice kid, I’ll never forget when I had to help him up from the floor the day after that hard fall he took (I think against Duke?). He was uncomfortable all during class because his butt hurt so bad!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Yeah, it was Duke ...
Man … we had to camp for 3 days to get in for that game. Tarver was a great kid too.
Tracy was definitely a little showy (for those times) on the court but he was so effin good. I don’t think we have had a 3 point shooter like him since he left. I mean he was the ULTIMATE ANTI DRAGO.
My top 5
Considering their greatness in their sports and the effect to the sport world, I have chosen Jackie Robinson, Arthur Ashe, Lew Alcindor, Rafer Johnson, and Jackie Joyner. Coach Wooden should be on top of the best coaches we ever had because we do have quite a few good ones.
Yikes! I forgot about Rafer.
Rafer and fellow Bruin C.K. Yang swept the decathalon for UCLA at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. What greatness.
People left off the list.......
As a life long Bruin fan and Alum, Class of ’67 I have had the pleasure of watching Bruin athletes for almost 60 years. Among the names that come to mind are the following.
1. Billy Kilmer
2. Rafer Johnson
3. C.J. Chang
4. Gary Beban
5. Gail Goodrich
6. Kareem
7. Bill Walton
8. Werndel Tyler – six fumbles in the ‘75 USC game and we still won.
9. Mitch Gaylord
10. Arthur Ashe
11. Eric Karros
12. Bob Waterfield
13. Troy Aikman
14. The O’bannon Brothers
15 Reggie Miller
These are just a few of the Bruin greats I have had the pleasure of watching over the years.
Almost forgot.....
My all time favorite Bruin gave birth to the phrase “Gutty Little Bruin”. The Rose Bowl, 1966, UCLA vs. Michigan State. Bob Stiles(175 pounds) stops MSU’s back Apisa shy of the goal line for a Bruin win.
When I was in school, we use to say “Bruin hair is every where!” Let me tell you, Stiles had hair.
My other all time favorite Bruin, Norm Dow. My senior year Gary Beban broke his leg the week before the Big Game. Dow the back up QB had played only 7 minutes in his UCLA career and he was asked to win the big game.
Tommy Prothro devised a unbeliveable game plan and we defeated the Trogans that day. Dow became a hero. He was and still is, in my mind bigger than John Barnes, who also had a great cinderella game against SUC.
I actually had Rafer Johnson on my list too.
I took him off because I never actually saw him in action, however I did meet him at a Bruin game at the Coliseum.
by LongtimeBru on May 13, 2010 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
The first names that come to mind are...
Cade McNown, JJ Stokes, MJD, Baron Davis, Russell Westbrook, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and Deshaun Foster. If they come to mind first, they must be my favorites.
McNown and Stokes were both before my UCLA days, but so much fun to watch. Baron Davis pre-injury was one of the most explosive athletes I’ve ever seen. MJD, Westbrook, and Luc exemplified UCLA athletics on the field and off, and continue to wear their Bruin colors well. Deshaun Foster was a manimal. I was there when he broke off 300, and if it weren’t for a borrowed car and case of fumbleitis, he really could have been great.
Nestor- in addition to these, it might be interesting to see favorite non-Bruins. On MCC awhile ago, there was a post about favorite Dodgers. It was interesting to see Giants talk admirably about Dodgers, and I found out that us Gigantes have a serious case of Kemp envy.
by AllHailMightyBruins on May 12, 2010 3:15 PM PDT reply actions
You want to start a thread about favorite Non Bruins?
You should totally go for it. Write up a fanpost sharing yours and we can then all chime in. It could be a lot of fun.
Sure, I'll do it.
I’ll probably break it down by conferences or regions in order to focus my own thoughts. I’ll try to get it going soon.
by AllHailMightyBruins on May 12, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Man awesome list
We are in agreement except DC is in my top 5. Not that I have any idea who I would take out! :) Tyus Edney is my favorite basketball player of all time and Cade is my favorite football player.
Oh and Nestor – I love that you used my Ed O’ video. I remember that like it was yesterday. I was just before the Final game in 2006 at Conseco Fieldhouse. Ed walked out and the place went crazy. Great memory!
GO BRUINS!!!
"The entire world that bleeds blue and gold ... they have been dying for this." - Coach Rick Neuheisel
lol
Yeah … there is another video of Ed O leading 8 claps inside the arena. I liked yours lot better.
I was there too!
The place went absolutely nuts for him. It was so great and when he walked around after, he was so approachable, talking and joking with everyone and signing autographs for all the little five and six year olds asking their dads who the tall man was.
I’ve tried three times to come up with my own list and it’s failed all three times. I keep forgetting people or wanting to add people or who knows and then start over. Hopefully tonight I can actually get it done without feeling guilty about those left off.
For everything UCLA baseball, visit my UCLA baseball twitter.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 12, 2010 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions
I think its an impossible task.
UCLA has an unmatched wealth of great athletes.
by AllHailMightyBruins on May 12, 2010 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Tyus' drive and JF's steal vs. Gonzaga
are the two most exciting plays in Bruin basketball history. Also, Cameron Dollar’s outstanding play in the final game is the stuff of legend, and it fits with John Barnes vs. USC.
That's a whole another list - most memorable moments
I am pretty tired from doing these two. Task for someone else. A herculean one!
Don't forget Mike Warren
Coach Wooden called Mike Warren his best point guard. Ever. Period. Whether dishing to Big Lew under the basket or Shackelford in the corner, or shooting himself from the top of the key, Mike was a major factor in winning the 1967 and 1968 national championships. He was an All American and has been inducted into the UCLA and Pac-10 Halls of Fame. Not a bad actor, either.
Good Guy!
Mike is a genuine person. Truly represnts all that is great about UCLA!
by C.T. in Boston on May 15, 2010 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Jackie Robinson
I gotta say I’m surprised that Jackie Robinson hasnt made more people’s lists. He would without question be in my top 5.
by frozenflame5858 on May 12, 2010 8:12 PM PDT reply actions
Again
This list is not necessarily about the Greatest Bruin of all time. This is a persona list based on who people feel connected to. Jackie stands for something special. However, I don’t believe anyone here ever got a chance to see him play for UCLA. It makes a difference when it comes to creating a list like this.
If we were to do a list of greatest Bruin even, Jackie would undoubtedly be in the top-5. This wasn’t about that. So not sure why it is so hard for people to understand that.
Ok in that case here is my list. I began UCLA as a freshman in 2002 and did not follow the school much before that so my list is going to be heavily biased towards recent bruins. In no particular order:
1. Maurice Jones Drew
2: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
3. Arron Afflalo
4. Ryan Hollins (I always liked him even when was bad and when he come out of nowhere to win the MVP of our region in that first magical run to the final four and then see him play in a the NBA just brought a huge smile to my face and I loved rubbing it the faces of all my friends who had doubted him earlier)
5. Alteraun Verner
Honorable mention: Marcedes Lewis, Michael Roll, and Eric Mcneal :)
by frozenflame5858 on May 12, 2010 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah guess I should have actually read the description instead of jumping to the list. My bad.
by frozenflame5858 on May 12, 2010 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Nestor, this is an impossible task.
It’s exactly the same as naming which of your kids you love the most.
Nonetheless, I have no complaints about anyone on any of these lists. They all are worthy of being someone’s favorite (and not just their mom’s favorite) Bruin.
I'll never forget JJ vs. $C
That game was my senior year. We sucked. We knew it. My buddies were leaving the Rose Bowl after the 3rd quarter. I stayed. Best decision I ever made. John “pumping gas” Barnes… are you kidding me? We lost QBs that year like a nerd losing lunch money. Great memories.
A nod to FB:
Argueably the greatest FB player in UCLA history:
Jerry Robinson
Starting linebacker for UCLA from 1976-78 and a reserve receiver in 1975 (hence the #84).
3-Time consensus All-American – the nation’s first three-time consensus All-American since SMU’s Doak Walker in 1947-49 (Kenny Easley followed in ’80).
3-time All-Pac-10 1976-78
UCLA team Rank at #1 for tackles in a:
Game: 28 — 1976
Season: 161 —1978
Career 456 —1976,77,78
Has 5 of the 8 games that a UCLA player had 20+ tackles
Now on to Track and Field world record holders and Olympic efforts. All the following atheltes are in the U.S. Track& Field Hall of Fame
Gail Devers
World Outdoor Champ – 100m Hurdles 1993, 1995, 1999
Olympic Gold Medal 1992
Olympic Gold Medal 1996
7 World Championships
World Indoor – 60m hurdles 1991
1 World Championship
-—————————————————————————————-
Jackie Joyner-Kersee,
World Outdoor Champ – Heptathlon 1991, 1993/Long Jump 1991
Olympic Silver Medal 1984 – Heptathalon / competed in Long Jump
Olympic Gold Medal 1988 – Heptathalon and Long Jump (2)
Olympic Gold Medal 1992 – Heptathalon / Silver Medal – Long Jump
Olympic Bronze Medal 1996 – Long Jump /injured during Hep competitions
8 Worlf Cham[pionships
-——————————————————————————————————————————————————
Greg Foster
World Outdoor Champ, 110m Hurdles – 1983, 1987, 1991
Ranked #1 or #2 = 10 years
Ranked #3 to #10 = 5 years
Ranked Top 10 in 200yd dash = 2 years
World Indoor Champ – 60m hurdles 1991
Olympic Silver Medal 100 yd Hurdles – 1980
Olympic Qualifier 1984 – injured
5 World Championships
-—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Dwight Stones
High Jump World Rank #1 to #3 = 8 years
High Jump World Rank #4 to #10 = 2 years
Olympic Silver Medal 1972
Olympic Silver Medal 1976
Olympic Qualifier – 4th Place 1980
3 World HJ Records
-—————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Willie Banks
Triple Jump World Rank #1 to #3 = 4 years
Triple Jump World Rank #4 to #10 = 8 years
Olympic Medal Qualifier (U.S. Did Not Compete in Moscow) 1980
Olympic Qualifier – 6th Place 1984
Olympic Qualifier 1988
Held Triple Jump Record for 10 years
-————————————————————————————————————————————————————
John Godina
Shot Put and Discus World Rank #1 to #3 = 10 years
Triple Jump World Rank #4 to #10 = 5 years
Olympic Silver Medal 1996 – Shot
Olympic Medal Qualifier 1996 – Discus
Olympic Bronze Medal 2000 – Shot
Olympic Medal Qualifier 2000 – Discus
4 World Shot Put Championships
-———————————————————————————————————————-
Mike Powell
Long Jump World Rank #1 to #3 = 7 years
Long Jump World Rank #4 to #10 = 3 years
Olympic Silver Medal 1988
Olympic Silver Medal 1992
Olympic Qualifier – 5th place – 1996
2 World Championships
-————————————————————————————————————————-
Mike Tully
Pole Vault World Rank #1 to #3 = 3 years
Pole Vault World Rank #4 to #10 = 8 years
Olympic Medal Qualifier (U.S. Did Not Compete in Moscow)
Olympic Silver Medal 1980
4 World Championships
-—————————————————————————————————————————————-
Ato Boldon
100/200m World Rank #1 to #3 = 8 years
100/200m World Rank #4 to #10 = 3 years
Olympic Bronze Medal 1996 (100 M)
Olympic Bronze Medal 1996 (200 M)
Olympic Silver Medal 2000 (100 M)
Olympic Bronze Medal 2000 (200 M)
Olympic Medal Qualifier 2004 (100 M)
Olympic Medal Place 5th 2004 (400m Relay)
5 World Championships
-————————————————————————————————————————-
Rafer Johnson
Decathlon World Rank #1 to #3 = 3 years
Olympic Silver Medal 1956
Olympic Gold Medal 1960
1 World Championship
-————————————————————————————————————————————
C.K. Yang
Decathlon World Rank #1 to #3 = 3 years
Olympic Silver Medal 1960
Olympic 5th Place – 1964
2 Asian Championships
-———————————————————————————————————————————-
Kevin Young
400m Hurdles World Rank #1 to #3 = 4 years
Long Jump World Rank #4 to #10 = 4 years
Olympic Medal Qualifier 4th – 1988
Olympic Gold Medal 1992
1 World Championship
-——————————————————————————————————————————————-
Thanks Nestor
I think its just us greybeards who remember this guy. I remember being blown away having never before seen a defensive player so big and yet so fast (as you could imagine via my list, my sport was T&F). As a former wideout he had incredible speed, and shook teeth on his tackles. HAd a fairly decent pro caereer too.
I was surprised too about not too many of our Bruin brenthern not listing Jerry. As they’d say today - he was the original Beast!
by C.T. in Boston on May 14, 2010 3:59 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s so hard to pick a top 5 but I’ll just thow this one out there:
5. Darren Collison
4. Tyus Edney
3. Ed O’Bannon
2. Jonathan Ogden
1. J. J. Stokes
The first two will always be two of my favorites (unless we have some REALLY special players from now on) but the other three could change places with lots of other guys. They are just the ones I can think of right now.
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