Just One Game - Balancing UCLA Basketball Hopes With Expectations
by gbruin on Feb 28, 2011 1:00 PM PST
in Basketball
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PrintMake each day your masterpiece. - Coach
Saturday's game against Arizona was a masterpiece, an epic day with a magical ending for the long and storied history that is U.C.L.A. Basketball and Pauley Pavillion, and Bruin Nation was justifiably ecstatic. (If you haven't already, please go over one more time to our thread honoring Pauley and share your favorite memories of our hallowed ground. Saturday certainly deserves a spot on that post.) The elation that resulted from all the aspects of the game - the raucous crowd, the fantastic 40 minute effort, the raw emotion, and the storybook finish - inspired enormous pride, hearty cheers, and joyous tears.
It also inspired more than a few platitudes which made me pause just a bit. Some of the untempered praise for our players, our coach, and our team, culminating with suggestions that this is a Final Four squad, was understandable given the emotion of the day, and is really very dangerous if we take it literally.
I don't mean to be a buzzkill. I just want to restore a bit of balance. The Bruins got it all right on Saturday and showed how good they can be. But what he hope for and what we can realistically expect are two different things. After all, as was pointed out recently under different circumstances, this was just one game.
An explanation after the jump...
Reeves Nelson has been the subject of a lot of keystrokes on BN. After Saturday's fantastic all-around performance with 27 pts, 16 boards, and fantastic man defense against Arizona's lottery pick Derrick Williams, his undying supporters are out in force calling Reeves a great team player. Those supporters love his intensity and offensive production on the court. His detractors crucify him for defensive apathy, frequent mental lapses, and his apparent selfishness and bad body language on the court. Which is it?
The truth is, Reeves is both. He has the uncanny ability to be great and horrible seconds apart. He has fallen asleep on defense numerous times this season, most famously on that Cal free throw that gave the undermanned Bears the ball and led to a damaging loss for the Bruins. He also asked his coach for the responsibility of guarding Arizona's most dangerous player and then went out and shut him down. Maybe he is learning. Maybe he is getting it. I am encouraged by the ongoing development of his leadership and his improved commitment to the team's style of play. I hope this is the Reeves Nelson we see every game. But he is not perfect, and so I don't expect every game to look like Arizona.
Coach Ben Howland has been the subject of a lot of keystrokes on BN. After Saturday's game, his undying supporters are out in force, calling him the perfect coach for the Bruins and that he has turned this program around, and are mocking those who ever said a critical word about him. Those supporters will cite that he led three schools to the NCAA tournament, restored U.C.L.A. basketball to prominence, and led the Bruins to 3 consecutive Final Fours. His critics have pointed out he made huge mistakes in recruiting, failed to discipline malignant personalities, is a bad communicator with his players and drives them from the program early, is prickly with high school coaches and with administration, and was at the helm when that same program crashed to historic lows.
The truth, of course, is that Howland is both. As the coach, he deserves both credit for success and blame for failure and the Bruins have had a lot of both. But I am encouraged with some signs. He showed more flexibility this year by playing zone when the situation required it. His substitution pattern at center with Stover and Smith has helped protect the big(ger) man and made him more productive. His apparent tolerance of bad seeds killed us last year with the unnamed Serbian, but may be paying off as we see signs of growth and maturity from Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt, and which has already paid off with vastly improved play from Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson. His icy personality is countered by the true emotion he displayed yesterday when referencing Coach and his role in U.C.L.A. history. I hope this is the Ben Howland we see going forward. But he is not perfect, and so I don't expect every game to look like Arizona.
This basketball team as a whole has been the subject of a lot of keystrokes on BN...
You get my point by now. Yes, there are signs of encouragement all around, and the Bruins in Pauley on Saturday were everything we have hoped for. But this is still the same team that lost to Montana on that same floor in that same building, and was called soft in the national media after our previous game against Arizona. There are still reasons for concern. Though they are in a good spot for now, the Bruins still have not assured themselves of that necessary tournament berth, and need at least a split this weekend and/or a Pac-10 tourney win to really make things comfortable on Selection Sunday. A return to the lazy uninspired efforts that this team is capable of will add an 0-3 to the record before the season is done.
Anyone who thinks that the team we saw on Saturday is how it is going to be from here on is ignoring reality, or maybe they just believe in the power of that Trepani moment. Well, maybe there is a little something to that second one. But getting too caught up in the moment and calling Nelson a complete player and Howland the perfect coach and these Bruins a Final Four caliber team is going too far and is setting things up for failure. As fans, and I am as guilty of this as the next, we get too high and too low. That's the emotion of the moment. This is my call, after the emotion has settled a bit, to keep things in perspective, and not confuse our hopes with realistic expectations. Saturday's game was a masterpiece in every sense, but It's dangerous to ignore the reality of this team and expect that game again.
Thursday night in Washington will go a long way to showing what sort of team this is, and what we can expect going forward. And if this team wants to prove me wrong, and show that Saturday's masterpiece is the new norm, I'll be very very glad to be wrong.
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FINAL FOURZZZ!!!!1!!
I think it’s really easy to get swept up in the moment, as this year has had its share of ups and downs, as every reasonable fan knew it would. The key word here is “reasonable.”
I’d like to point out, no online community, much less one devoted to such a mercurial enterprise as collegiate athletics, is made up of entirely reasonable people. Even a site as well policed and monitored as BN (one of my favorite parts about this place… It’s essentially a troll-free zone) cannot deny entrance to every single nutbar and jackwagon looking to gain entrance.
Even I have been known to go off the deep end from time to time. It’s the dangers of the human condition, or so my Honors English teachers told me in High School (whatever that means). Frankly I, like many of my illustrious Bruin Brethren, am incapable of being objective when it comes to UCLA basketball. I try my hardest to see the basketball and football landscape from my cold, unfeeling tower and pronounce dooms like a soothsayer of old, but it doesn’t work out that way all the time.
All this is an extremely roundabout way of saying, UCLA is now a good basketball team. We have a chance of winning out, of doing well in the Pac 10 tournament, of making noise in the NCAA tournament, hell even of going to the Final Four again (stranger things have happened). We could also be swept in Washington, die out in the first round of the tournament, and be the crown jewel of the illustrious new four game play in for the first ever 68-team NCAA tournament. Sorry…. Give me a second… I almost vomited. Ok. We’re good.
Fact is, nobody knows. Anyone who says they do is selling something. Trust your instincts about this team: We’ve seen them abolish Arizona, buffet BYU, and smack St. John’s. We’ve also seen them meltdown against Montana, collapse against Cal, and be villified by Virginia Commonwealth.
We’re capable of soaring highs and depressing lows, and we’re coached by a wonderful, hardheaded man named Ben Howland, and led by what i’m now convinced is Terminator Reeves (nothing can stop him save a pneumatic press or a charging foul) and what i’m calling the Walking Contradiction, Josh Smith, an unstoppable force and immovable object in equal measure. Our point guard should be called the Medical Miracle, as he’s survived injuries that would kill a fleet of bison (the correct term for a group of bison), and still keeps playing. We’ve got the Comeback Kid in Jerime Anderson, the No Fly Zone of Anthony Stover, and Malcolm Lee, who I refer to as Fort Knox. Endearing as this team is, the BEST part about them is they haven’t yet played their best basketball. The sky really is the limit. But it’s exactly that: a limit, not a baseline. So cheer with me, but don’t expect. Just watch!
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Feb 28, 2011 1:23 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Like this
“No Fly Zone of Anthony Stover”. Doesn’t rhyme and isn’t alliterative, but it is a nice nickname
I can't be all things to all people ok.
Jeez ;-)
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Awesome
You had me at “nutbar”. LOL! Plus, I am one who researches the names of groups of animals, so I appreciate the “fleet” reference. My personal favorites are a “parliament” of owls, a “murder” of crows and a business" of ferrets.
"The entire world that bleeds blue and gold ... they have been dying for this." - Coach Rick Neuheisel
Hey!
Let’s lay off the slamming of nuts. Some of my best friends are nuts.
And, for the record, uclafan11, it’s a “party platter” of nuts.
I had no idea
it was called a “fleet of bison”. Hmm, you learn new things every day. =P
(Fantastic write-up, by the way.)
herd of Bison!
Wikipedia knows all and told me you were trying to fool me with the phrase “fleet of Bison”. You are WRONG!!!
I was wondering how long
it would take for someone to track that down. I was saying it in jest, but I like my way better :-)
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
I really like this:
Endearing as this team is, the BEST part about them is they haven’t yet played their best basketball. The sky really is the limit.
As good as we were on Saturday, just think of how poorly we shot from the outside and even on occasion from the inside.
How much better could these kids be on a night when they put all their talents together. That would be one special day.
+1
That is why this team could be dangerous in a tournament….we could pull off a big upset or 2….if we play our best as a team finally (we are getting closer).
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 1, 2011 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
Good points G
While I don’t agree with all of it, it makes a good point. We are not suddenly a “great” team because we had a perfect game.
My biggest quibble may be with the Montana line. I don’t think we are the “same team” that lost to Montana in December. We were a young team playing in front of a depressed SUC hungover crowd against an experienced determined team. I think that same game we win by 10 plus now. Not saying we would play 40 minutes against them or as hard we should, just saying we are a better team today than the one of that lost December weekend.
That is why I am generally optimistic on this team. I see that they are improving, not there yet but getting better. Hopefully peaking at the right time.
Yes, but we are the same team
that played a horrible first 15 minutes against Cal and failed to get a single stop in overtime there.
Yep but two things
1. If Cal’s PG Smith, who had 10 3 pointers on the season, doesn’t hit two big ones, including the biggest in OT, we still win. Also that was on the road in the Pac 10, no team wins every road game in the Pac 10 anymore. Thus we came within an arguably lucky shot of beating Cal.
2. Improvement is never a straight line. You have spikes and regressions. The Cal game was one of those. Thus the outliers in recent games are Arizona on the good side and Cal on the bad side. But the trend is steadily upward IMO.
We agree.
I thought we showed a lot of heart in the Cal game. If Zeek’s floater goes in, we win. Cal played great.
"...because we had a perfect game."
In spite of all that has been written the past few days and the euphoria surrounding the AZ game, I for one do NOT think we had a “perfect” game. I thought we were very good but lets face it, Lee had a below average game from an offensive point of view as did Jones. When these 2 are hitting from the outside and the rest of the team plays the way they did, then we can discuss perfection.
Imagine the possibilities when the entire group is firing on all cylinders? I’d love to see that happen on Thu on national TV.
NYC Bruin Alum
true that...
i almost expected a surprising win against either zona or u-dub, knowing full well those teams have some flaws as well. and one other thing, don’t downplay wazzu… i’m expecting a split this week, if somehow we do pull out the W in seattle, the palouse won’t be any easier.
and just like you greg, i’d love to be wrong if our team decides what we saw on saturday is what we’re gonna get at all times from here on out. but you are absolutely right. reeves can be jekyll/hyde, so can CBH, and so can the whole team.
"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
I think we are the best team in the conference right now
We have the best athletes and they have learned how to play together. They love winning and the want more. I expect two wins this weekend.
i so hope you're right...
"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
I don't understand why so many people settle for final fours
I’ve read a few people on facebook proclaiming about another run to the final four.
is it because that was what Howland has reached in the past? We’re UCLA, we strive to be the best, not just the top 4.
And Howland’s recruiting can still be a little suspect, we’re still without a PG in the next 2 years. Sorry for being overly negative.
Final Fours
The first of Howland’s FF teams came, literally, out of nowhere. The second team played uneven down the stretch, had a good run to the semis and ran into Florida. I think those two teams hit their ceiling. The only team that I feel fell short of its talent level was the K-Love, Westbrook version that lost to Memphis. I don’t think UCLA fans are settling for Final Fours. I consider myself to be realistic and understand how tough it is to reach the Final Four, we’ll be back and hopefully we can win one in the next couple years. I also think Norman Powell is a guy that can transition to run point, he has a great handle and his athleticism is jaw dropping.
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.
I don't see
how the 3rd team with Love and Westy fell short, I really don’t. We ran into the team that was the worst possible matchup. They may not have been a “better” team, but they beat us. We could have beaten both Kansas and UNC that year.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
yeap. i think all 3 of those teams were 2nd best all 3 years...
just sucks for us we ran into florida, florida, memphis… and i’m not settling. all 3 rightfully deserve their place in Bruin lore.
"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
I wouldn't disagree with you..
That Memphis squad was athletic, long and had Derrick Rose…I always think that year would have been a lot different had Mike Roll not gotten injured.
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.
I say it would
have been different if we had gotten kyle singler
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
You get KL and RW to stay another year, and I agree
but as long as we are constantly reloading and retooling, expecting a national championship is like hoping to win the lottery. I’d love to be in the final four every year, because it means we are fielding great teams, and we have a chance to win it all.
+1
Winning it all depends on getting stars to stay….which is more out of the coach’s control than many of us here would like to admit.
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Feb 28, 2011 3:28 PM PST up reply actions
Me either !
No team realistically go to the tournaments only hoping to be one of the Final Four. Everyone shoots for the moon. Then if circumstances failed, they settle for the stars, releuctantly of course.
Look at some of the cinderella teams that surprised people. Butler almost made it last year had Singler not tipped the scale for Duke. Rick Majerus’ Utah team lost to Miles Simon’s versatility only, not because of his Wildcats’ team. The Utes matched it evenly in every way.
We are peaking, with the two Washington schools standing in our way. Were we to overcome them this week in such hostile environments, tournament games would be desserts. Enjoy them with gusto !
Agree 100%...
This year’s team is imperfect, but everyone could see an effort that was displayed on Saturday coming. It just proves to the fans and the team what this team could accomplish if they play focused and together. They aren’t a national contending team, but they are a tournament team. I think that was what we all hoped for when the season opened. All we need is a punchers chance, chip and a chair mentality. Who knows…
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.
That's not overly negative, Engy
It’s balancing high hopes with doses of reality.
You’ve made me very proud!
greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com
A lot of keystrokes on BN
Does not change the facts….
1) This team can be good. When it brings the intensity and is healthy (see Jones in particular) this team can be very good. I have asserted this is Nelson’s team and they feed off a mercurial individual.
2) This team has not shown consistent intensity, but I would make an unsubstantiated assertion that they are getting better.
3) Young team’s progress is never linear. Cal was clearly a step back, and a potentially painful step back. But significant progress has been made. Defensively. And, at least Saturday, offensively.
Prognosis for the future:
I would be stunned with a win at UW….given our history, given our erratic focus. But I said 4-2 a couple of weeks ago and that is where I am sticking (Cal loss for the UofA win). That says a split.
I doubt this team will get to the Final Four. It could with the right match ups AND consistent effort. But I surely would not bet on us being consistently at our best for 4 games in a row. I hope we make it but would not expect it.
I would say this though: we might be the most dangerous 6-8 seed in the tournament. We typically play up to the level of the competition so would not be surprised to see us upset a higher seed and advance to the Sweet Sixteen (which would be a major success for this team this year.)
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Feb 28, 2011 2:40 PM PST reply actions
AZ game just part of the climb upward...
I just remember the glow I had after the Kansas game we had stolen from us, and how the team proceeded to play up and down ball afterwards until our recent great run… and truth be told, Arizona is a good team, but not a great team by any means. It’s not like we beat an Ohio State or Duke. I look at it at the perspective of how this team has grown from last year to this game, and it’s been a steady progression that has generally kept growing, and from that view, this game has been a clear indication these players have worked hard, embraced Howland’s leadership, and have become a true team; and that’s all I can ask of these guys at this point, everything else should work itself out.
And I don’t know if anyone has met Howland or chatted with him, but despite his cold and hard, scowling image people may see him as, the guy is genuinely just a nice guy. I remember when he was first hired, I was in the Kerkoff Art Gallery next to the Coffee House, and was trying to decipher the ‘art’ that was on the wall. He wandered up, eating ice cream, and just initiated a humorous conversation about the art with me. Never knew the guy, never met the guy before.
Look forward to seeing if this young time is ready to step up to become a force on Thursday… go Bruins!
Twangus, I casually walked up to Howland & Guerrero
two summers ago when they stood outside a restaurant in Westwood, waiting for the valet to bring their car.
In fact, my wife spotted them first. Nudging me, she said my hero was right there in front of me. I looked toward where she said. Sure enough, two men in suits, one heavy set ( Guerrero of course ) stood around, hands in pockets.
I shook hands with them. They both thought I was an out of town Bruin fan until I said this was my alma mater. Whatever I chatted with them, they treated me amicably. Nothing gruff and when their car arrived, I said we needed #12. That elicited some hearty chuckles even from the young valet.
I've been to two UCLA booster functions in OC
CBH is extremely personable, stays forever and will answer every question. This is why it surprises me when I hear that the players don’t like him.
Sure, you meet the press all personable, diplomatic & courteous
You teach those kids heavy handedly IF necessary. That’s the only way they learn if everything else failed. Parents rarely, unless pushed to the limit, showed the other cheek to their kids in the public too. It’s all implicit that when goings get tough, they just aren’t nice as you think
Bottom line, no one could be as arrogantly stupid & flaunting of their clout, authority the way Bobby Knight did. Myles Brand, the late Indiana University president & NCAA commissioner should have acted sooner. General Patton, McArthur belonged to an era long gone !
Certainly a coach has to be a disciplinarian,
but I from his personal charm, I assume he know how to get along with his players. Coach was a disciplinarian, but his players loved playing for him.
"...it surprises me when I hear that the players don’t like him."
First, I’m not sure the players don’t “like him” — because I’ve never heard an attributed source say that.
And, second, I’m not sure what it means to say “like” in that context. It is very hard for a teacher to be “liked” so long as the teacher exercises coercive power over the student. No matter how nice one thinks one is, so long as he or she evaluates, grades, rewards or punishes the students, there is a line drawn between the two roles that cannot be erased.
Not every player “liked” coach. But, they all respected him.
I truly hope they all respect CBH because I do — but, of course, he exercises no power over me and so I can say I like him, too.
That’s why the allegations of “favoritism” sting so much — because they are an assault on respectability. I, for one, choose not to believe them and choose not to believe that his players don’t like him. Until I see solid proof, attributed proof, otherwise, I won’t believe that he is not liked in the way a teacher should be liked.
And, I would hope he took a huge step forward in his players’ eyes when he showed his soul to all after Sat’s game. To see how much he cares should explain to them how much he wants them to care. Leading by example. Actions not words. Those are the things that garner respect — and it is hard not to respect CBH after seeing him and hearing him after the game.
sjh
Good call, 66
My former roommate was a student manager from 2002-2006, he got to be up close with both CHP and CBH. Guess which one was “well liked” and known as a “nice guy”. Yep, the one who couldn’t run a practice to save his life (or, as it turned out, his job). When you’ve got the basketball version of Michael Scott running the show, you’ve got someone who’s lost focus of the goal and is now just trying to gain popularity.
CBH was described to me as a tough, passionate man. He was never described as “nice”. While, he wasn’t afraid to let his players know that he wasn’t happy about their practices or games, deep down they knew that he had their best interests at heart and wanted them to succeed. Those are the types of leaders you follow into battle, or to whom you entrust the collegiate years of your playing career.
Dreaming of Westwood while in permanent exile in Virginia
Herb Brooks,
did one of the greatest coaching jobs ever, in any sport with the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. According to insiders, the hard-nosed pr*ck played by Kurt Russell in the movie about the team was a softie, compared to the real Herb Brooks.
Brooks solved all the internal friction between factions and cliques on the team by making himself the one, common enemy. I’ll bet the word “like” never even entered a conversation amongst the players.
As VABruin points out with CHP, being “liked” is hardly a measure of competence, in sports or otherwise.
Hard or not,
coach howland is a good man, and that counts more than anything.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
I've personally spoken to a few of the players
Even through the struggles of last year, they never “disliked” him. They acknowledged he was strict, but as Stover told me then, “Isn’t every coach?”
Ah, Yes
The discontented anonymous folks quoted here last month—those “players” who hang out at a bar Bruins don’t go to much any more and insist that UCLA athletes “don’t like” CBH and “hate Norm Chow.” Rubbish.
Coaching is not a popularity contest. Good coaching requires discipline. Sometimes, the individuals subject to the discipline are malcontents, and other times they respond to the challenge within the discipline. When Coach told Bill Walton, “We’ll miss you…” because Walton didn’t cut his hair according to the rules, Bill knew he meant it. Timmeh’s hoodlums over there probably adored him until their entire team started imploding upon itself—now there’s a Coach with no discipline, especially of himself.
Our team has a coach who knows what he is doing, both for the team and their futures. He is not perfect, as no coach is. But look at what can happen when they play like he knows they can.
Love My Bruins
Thanks for the refreshing H2O splash, gbruin
I didn’t think I’d hear the end of how Coach was looking down on Pauley, how the last basket on Sat. (before the renovation) was the most significant, you know with all the metaphysics, we were collectively beginning to sound a bit like Notre Dame or BYU.
wanting to be able we certainly wished,
... but being allowed to try we didn`t dare
No, fans will bring it up all the time because
Trapani’s basket carried a mythical, iconic yet nostalgically poignant element that resonates even with folks not passionate about sports, let alone basketball.
I heard about Notre Dame basketball’ folklore too when a leprechaun. in the eyes of beholders or believers, routinely perched atop the rim to deflect key baskets, for instance. That’s why some visiting teams over the years missed their final shots that would have won the game, etc. But to us in Westwood, that moment when the ball went through the net from Trapani’s hands befitted everything COACH’s career epitomized.
Not exaggerating here, but that epochal moment impacted Pauley with the same magnitude as little JFK Jr. raised his hand in saluting his daddy when the caison bearing his flag drapped casket moved by. For years, people grew up in that generation always mentioned the moment, so touchingly reflective of a whole nation’s sorrows of his passing and their lingering love, adoration of him as their preseident.
We went wild, jubilant not for the victory but for the man called COACH.
Digger Picks the Low-Lieing Fruit
I’m watching the Texas-KSU Game (because I hate Texas) and what should I see at the half? Digger and Rece Davis are having a chat about the three teams you don’t want to face in the tourney. 1) Quagmire’s thugs; 2) The Tarheels; and 3) UCLA! What? Digger picked us as a dark horse? The funny part is that he focused his reasoning based mostly on “Reeve” Nelson’s 27 and 16 against Zona, that the defense held “The Standard” to 30 points below their average and to “guys [he] likes like Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt.” I can’t wait for the world to meet Josh Smith. Its nice to have something to look forward to in March, isnt it?
Hey Charnaw, when it comes to bashing Digger Phelps
I cherish it. BRING IT ON !!!!!!
Love to see the back of the "Signs" each game
The students hold up signs each game as the opposing players are introduced. The signs coordinate the jeer for each player. They include: “Who’s He?”, “Go Home”, “So What?”, “Big Deal” and one other I cant remember. The signs have been passed down through generations of Bruin supporters.
And on one of them, going back to the 60 or 70’s is: “Digger is a Wimp”. You can occassionally see it when Digger is in Pauley. You can see it every game in the Den as the opposing players are introduced.
And, yes, Digger is a Wimp!
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 1, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
All I know is
That this team was features in an espn commercial. This team is goin deep! Let’s believe!
by Strathmore&Gayley on Feb 28, 2011 7:30 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Really insignificant question.
Why do some (including) this posts author and the New York Times use U.C.L.A., while most others use UCLA.
I thought the rule was only use periods when acronym spelled something?
JohnnyBrewin
by johnnybrewin on Feb 28, 2011 7:37 PM PST via mobile reply actions
It is a style particular to The New York Times.
Someone pointed it out a few months back and I liked how it looked. It is, though, much harder to type.
Besides, since Los Angeles doesn’t have a professional newspaper, I needed to borrow some style from somewhere.
greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com
With All Due Realism
It really doesn’t matter what our expectations are…what matters is what our team expects from themselves now that they have seen and felt what they can do, what results when you focus on the team and do “the best of which you are capable.” (I don’t even believe that we have actually seen their best yet, but I’ll bet CBH has seen moments of it.)
This team has the ability to continue winning tough games, and the players have the ability to improve. I’m proud of them, and I expect them to do their very best. It remains to be seen what that really is, and how far it will take them this year.
Love My Bruins
+1 about winning tough games
This skill could really help us in the forthcoming tournaments.
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 1, 2011 10:16 AM PST up reply actions
Agreed
I believe that a lack of having been in tight games can lead a top-ranked team to disaster in the Dance.
Love My Bruins
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