100% Class

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2007 1:37 AM PST in Basketball

Normally, on a day like this, fresh off of yet another Ben Ball victory, we do a little analysis, complain about some of our flaws, point out the ridiculous bias and glaring inaccuracy in the fishwrap, then take a look ahead to our next opponent. Rinse and repeat. However, after once again retaining the right to call ourselves "the standard" in the Pac 10, a little more time to soak it in is richly deserved.

As I'm sure many of you are aware by now, our win yesterday was special for a couple of reasons. From the AP/Yahoo story:

Olson hadn't experienced a three-game conference losing skid since 1983-84, his first season in Tucson, when the Wildcats lost to Stanford, Washington and Oregon State in February.
...
Saturday's win was UCLA's fourth straight over Arizona -- a first during Olson's tenure.

I will give credit where credit is due, that is an incredible streak by ole Lute, considering that the last time they dropped three straight conference games was before I was even born. Not so impressive to me is us beating Lute four straight for the first time, as I believe Lavin had a great deal to do with that. Nevertheless, it's a fun streak to have, especially considering that Marcus the Mouth has been present for each and every one of those losses. He has NEVER beaten UCLA. But they're the standard. Whatever, Marcus.

I know, it's getting tired to keep talking about his quote, but the fishwrap actually did a decent job covering the story. Maybe one of their writers found the time in their busy schedules to actually do their job and make it to Pauley. Whatever the reason, you'll find today's wrapup light on the usual baseless bitching and moaning and sprinkled with a few amusing tidbits like this one:

The victory could have given the UCLA players reason to crow if they wished.

Marcus Williams, who was the Pac-10's leading scorer but was held to 11 points with help from Afflalo's defense, said when Arizona was 3-0 in Pac-10 play that his team, not the defending champion Bruins, set the pace in the league.

"We're the standard," Williams said. "I don't think they're the standard."

Darren Collison, the UCLA point guard whose penetration and drives to the basket helped conquer the zone as he scored 14 points and added seven assists and five rebounds, resisted firing back at Williams.

"Marcus, he's entitled to say what he wants to say," Collison said. "It shows how tough the conference is.

"You might think you're the best in the Pac-10, and a couple of games later, you're down in the mix."

I love this team. I really do. They represent the University well. That's 100% class. Perhaps Lute and Timmeh should take some notes from a 19-year-old on what dignity and class are. Actually, forget about the notes. Just print this out, it's said that this is worth a thousand words anyway:

100% Class (Photo Credit: AP)

For the rest of us, we have guys like Dohn, who consistently does a better job than the hacks at the fishwrap, and who isn't paid to be classy, and thus, doesn't pull any punches in his article. Dohn understandably blasts The Mouth, but also picks up on this from our own Arron Afflalo:

UCLA's fourth straight win against Arizona also signals a shift in the recent balance of power, but the Bruins aren't about to brag.

"I don't consider us the standard," Afflalo said. "We go out, we play hard, we compete to win. We just want to win that night. We're not trying to measure ourselves up against anybody else. We're trying to be the best UCLA Bruin team we can be."

What's the word again? Oh yeah. Class.

As we all know, the SC Times has done a horrendous job covering one of the elite teams in the country, sacrificing space on a team with postseason prospects and higher aspirations to cover SUC MAYBE POSSIBLY HAVING A NUMBER NEXT TO THEIR NAME. We're only #2 in the country, but that's not a story to the local media. Of course, our elite status means that we are no longer dependent on local hacks, we have the national media to do our publicity for us now. We have transcended. I bring you Andy Katz of ESPN's take on our team and what DC means to it:

But there could be a greater peak to the potential of Collison, who had seven assists, and two turnovers and two steals in the 73-69 win over the Wildcats. Assistant coach Kerry Keating said he envisions Collison becoming even more of a focal point for the Bruins at both ends of the court. His ability to cut through a defense at break-neck speed can fluster an opponent but so too can his cat-quick hands to disrupt the defense. Collison didn't want to pin any improvement on himself but was quick to point out that this is still a young team. He is a starter this season, halfway through the Pac-10, when he was a reserve behind a first-round draft pick Jordan Farmar on the national runner-up last season.

"Collison can be better than Jordan was at the end of the year," Keating said. "That's how we can get better. He starts our offense and defense."

First Yahoo scoops the Times on Bushgate, now ESPN is poaching all the good stories from our own local paper. Don't these people have any pride in their daily periodical? Guess not.

There is still improvement to be made until we can make good on that potential. Yesterday was a great start. Roll came up big in yet another big game on both ends of the floor. Aboya is showing the same steady improvement, and obviously came in as prepared as anyone to play. He was a more than capable replacement for The Prince today. Of course, we hope Luc is back soon, but the depth of this team is really showing. Keefe even nailed another three (who knew?) for good measure and Westbrook was solid on both ends as well. Unfortunately, the free throw woes are back, with two unlikely perpetrators, AA and Collison, but given that they scored 22 and 14 respectively, I think we'll let it slide this time.

In any case, the good feeling from the game is greatly enhanced by the (classy) quotes from our players indicating that they're keeping it all in perspective and aren't letting the success get to them. Gotta love basketball season.

GO BRUINS

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You Prove My Point

In the previous thread, I noted that the best coverage of Bruin sports -- the coverage with the most depth and analysis -- is here on Bruins Nation.

Thanks.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 21, 2007 4:03 AM PST reply actions

Where has Coach Floyd made classless comments?

What has he done to earn your wrath? Aside from saying that he considers Arizona the standard of the pac-10 (their streak of 22 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances gives them a legitimate claim to that "standard") what has he done that is so vulgar and classless?

Fight on!!! Beat the Wolverines!!!

by USCLink on Jan 21, 2007 4:47 AM PST reply actions

Timmeh

Timmeh's comments calling Arizona the standard was clasless and assholish (when reporters directly asked him about UCLA).

But you are a member of the Trojan band. So uou are delusional. Understandable that you will never get why Floyd's comments were so classless and indirect shot at UCLA.

by Nestor on Jan 21, 2007 8:28 AM PST up reply actions

What N said, plus actions

speak louder than words. Or have you forgotten about this:

Oh wait, what am I talking about. trOJans think that college basketball started this year. None of you were around to see that hick blow his stack.

Moron.

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2007 11:45 AM PST up reply actions

Ooh

Angrily kicking the ground. Because Ben Howland never gets in the ref's face after a bad call.

Fight on!!! Beat the Wolverines!!!

by USCLink on Jan 21, 2007 4:02 PM PST up reply actions

LOL

I swear you trOJans get dumber every day. Don't know how that's possible, but in any case, that picture was taken at the tail end of about a 20 second temper tantrum Timmeh threw right in the middle of a game. Him kicking that piece of paper is showing up the refs, and they had every right to T his ass up. It's sad that I have to describe the circumstances to you, but obviously I do, because you bandwagon riding a-holes weren't around to see what happened. Temper tantrums are befitting of two-year-olds, not 50-year-old coaches.

Care to make yourself look even dumber than you already do? I dare you to respond, dumbass.

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2007 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

PS

If I were you, I'd get out of here and cut my losses, because not only am I smarter than you, I am also in the right. That's a deadly combination for a mental midget like yourself. You're embarrassing yourself by displaying your ignorance.

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2007 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

Some things don't deserve a response

This does.

First, let me assure you that I am not a bandwagoning fan. I've been at every men's home game this season, playing in the band, and I have watched every televised minute I can. Nestor's post RIGHT ABOVE YOUR OWN shows that I am a member of the band, something which pretty strongly negates any argument of me being a mere bandwagoner.

Second, the refs did have every right to give Coach Floyd a T. Whether they deemed it necessary or not is irrelevant. More than one coach has gotten a technical, and I'm certain Howland holds at least one to his name.

Third, the officiating in the Pac-10 conference is widely held to be the worst in the BCS conferences. This was shown in the Oregon vs. Oklahoma Debacle, and is repeated on basketball courts every Thursday and Saturday. N and company complain about it, we complain about it, The Band is Out on the Field complains about it, and personally, I'd prefer to have a coach that tells the ref he's doing a poor job than one that just sits passively on the sideline. Your nation would tend to agree, as your criticism of Karl Dorrell always includes his apparent lack of emotion and reaction to the events on the field.

Finally, if you are going to call someone out, make sure you know something about them. If you've ever been to CC (or had been to BN at the start of the football season), or heck, had even read my profile, you would see that I am a current student, a member of the band, and am anything but a bandwagoner. Furthermore, I bet it would be rather difficult for you to describe a situation from a photo which contained nothing but 2 UCLA players, a referee, and a coach, without any other context. Show me another uniform and I can probably tell you the play/call that caused the outrage. Most likely, it was against Arizona, when Taj Gibson was called for 2 personal shooting fouls when clearly he did not contact the shooter.

I'm here for a dialog. I asked a question about why Tim Floyd is classless, and what he had done to so offend the Bruins Nation. When the response from Nestor is:

But you are a member of the Trojan band. So uou are delusional. Understandable that you will never get why Floyd's comments were so classless and indirect shot at UCLA.

and you followed that with your offensive diatribe, you've done little to convince me, or even explain to me your view. Tydides, is this the response you wanted? Because I'm willing to have an actual conversation. Whether it happens or not, is up to you.

Fight on!!! Beat the Wolverines!!!

by USCLink on Jan 21, 2007 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

It's like talking to a child...

You remember that quote? The one that occurred after your school denied that Oregon fan his money when he revealed that he was rooting for the Ducks instead of the trOJans where your fanbase was called out as "the worst in the country"? It doesn't matter to me what you CLAIM you are, because this is the internet, you could make up any crap you want. I base my impression of you on your arguments, which to this point have been nothing short of weak. If I want to generalize you into the bandwagon riding majority of SUC fans, that's my prerogative until you show evidence to the contrary. The fact that you didn't know the circumstances of that picture suggest that you didn't see what happened, and are thus a bandwagon rider.

Your argument of whether or not Howland has technical fouls holds no weight. I cannot recall if this has ever happened, probably because he is able to conduct himself in a professional manner, unlike the baby that Floyd is. Apparently your idea of protesting bad calls is acting like a child. We don't play that game here on BN. Although it doesn't surprise me to hear that whining and pouting are the standard forms of protest over at a spoiled rotten place like SUC.

Your little rant about describing actions from a picture is rambling and the weak point it tries to make is completely irrelevant to the subject at hand. You wanted evidence, and you got it. I can provide you the context, but I am not required to tell you WHY my form of evidence is sufficient. Again, the fact that you were unable to recognize it says more about you than anything I could glean from CC.

Finally, I can call you out on your arguments without knowing anything about you. That's the best form of argument because you are judged solely on the points you make. I don't need to go to CC to find out about you. I'd rather not waste my valuable time. You're not here for a dialog, you're here to whine about us calling out Floyd, while simultaneously ignoring evidence that proves my claim.

So no, whether an actual conversation happens or not is up to your ability to accept the facts for what they are. You can start by accepting that Floyd has a history of acting like a whiny classless baby and we can work from there. As I said before, I don't have time to waste on CC, and I have less time to waste on you. Unless you bring something stronger in response, you will be deleted, because I really don't feel like repeating myself.

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2007 4:49 PM PST up reply actions

Why are you so desperate

to have a conversation on Bruins Nation? Everytime we see popping up elsewhere around the internets lodging posts after posts (in multiple blogs) sh!t talking about BN.

I am more than willing to have an intelligent back and forth. But not with a P.O.S. like you who keeps bad mouthing our community time after time and then keep coming back here as if nothing had happen.

It doesn't take much to realize how Floyd's comments were a direct shot against UCLA when he was asked a specific question related to UCLA hoops. But obviously it will not get through your skull.

If you are so desperate for friendly banter with UCLA fans then I suggest you do it with folks you haven't talked sh!t about all over the net.

You are not welcome here on Bruins Nation given what you have said about us repeatedly all over the blogosphere.

Get lost.

by Nestor on Jan 21, 2007 5:13 PM PST up reply actions

Fine Nestor

Consider me gone from your domain. Forgive me for wanting to actually do somethiing constructive with the rivalry. And trying over and over and over again.

I'm done, officially, completely, and totally.

Good day.

Fight on!!! Beat the Wolverines!!!

by USCLink on Jan 21, 2007 7:51 PM PST up reply actions

HA

Yeah, after getting verbally castrated by logical arguments, now it's all about "doing something constructive". Where was that when you were badmouthing BN on other blogs? Before I thought you were just an ignorant tool. Now I see that you're something worse: a two-faced asshole.

trOJans seem to have a flair for the dramatic when it comes to grand exits. I call it the "drama queen" syndrome. Oh well, one less whiny bitch to worry about. You won't be missed.

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2007 8:15 PM PST up reply actions

He will be back -

He'll come up with a new name, and it will take maybe 15 seconds to figure out who he is.

But given that he's from justsc, if we use big words, he won't be able to follow what's going on.

by Fox 71 on Jan 21, 2007 8:25 PM PST up reply actions

Please don't leave

I find it quite entertaining watching a trOJan get torn to shreds!

by godblesstyus95 on Jan 21, 2007 8:34 PM PST up reply actions

Stop being a drama queen

and save your "internet goodbye"

by Nestor on Jan 22, 2007 4:44 AM PST up reply actions

Just want to point out something to USCLink

I don't want to start a fight but you said:

Furthermore, I bet it would be rather difficult for you to describe a situation from a photo which contained nothing but 2 UCLA players, a referee, and a coach, without any other context. Show me another uniform and I can probably tell you the play/call that caused the outrage. Most likely, it was against Arizona, when Taj Gibson was called for 2 personal shooting fouls when clearly he did not contact the shooter.

This was in response to the pic of Floyd kicking the paper? Do you see that the court says Wooden in big blue letters? That was Pauley Pavilion during last years beating. Like I said, I'm not trying to start a fight, but it is funny you missed that. OK done being a nitpicking dick.

by isodore on Jan 21, 2007 5:20 PM PST up reply actions

Re: picture

I was about to post the exact same thing. Link, you're obviously a freshman who hasn't paid attention to sc sports (at least, not basketball) before you attended school. That's fine, that's how I was when I was a freshman at UCLA. But when you come on to your rival's blog and act like you know everything, while obviously being ignorant of the context of Floyd's comments about Arizona, and even of what happened at Pauley a year ago, you make yourself look like a bandwagoning, johnny-come-lately fan just trying to stir up trouble.

I would suggest restraining from posting your gut reactions to what is said by your rival unless "you were around" when the topic being discussed occurred, otherwise you're asking for a verbal beating by those who "were there".

by ranelar on Jan 21, 2007 6:01 PM PST up reply actions

Love this team

As if I wasn't proud enough of this team after yesterday's game. Sure, it's great to have talented athletes, but its icing on the cake to have guys with such poise and class. Good times. Good times.

by Menelaus on Jan 21, 2007 6:08 AM PST reply actions

character

class. character. pac-10 champions. #2 in the country. #1 RPI. this is a true UCLA basketball team. love it.

by DumpDorrell on Jan 21, 2007 8:40 AM PST reply actions

The players

are a reflection of their coach. It never gets old to give kudos and thanks to Ben: he brings in the special type of player that has both raw talent and character (a rare combination these days). From top to bottom, this team has it. And it all starts with Coach.

It never gets old: Thank God for Ben Howland!

by godblesstyus95 on Jan 21, 2007 8:50 AM PST reply actions

USCLink

doesn't get it about Coach Floyd. It must be an institutional thing with people from justsc. They just don't get it.

by Fox 71 on Jan 21, 2007 9:43 AM PST reply actions

UCLA Players???

There aren't any UCLA players in the picture you Dumbass. He was embarassing himself in front of two of his own players.

Do you even have any idea what color uniform your own team wears???

In the land of the stupid, even you stand out.

by artybruin on Jan 22, 2007 12:01 PM PST reply actions

he was trying to say...

if the roles were reversed we would not be able to tell what the situation was either. Never mind the GIANT letters on the floor saying exactly where they were and who they were playing. Basically he just didn't follow college or Pac-10 Basketball before this year and has no idea about the behavior of his coach or players or school. We are all just better to let it go, and let him be. He doesn't know any better, and can't help it, and no amount of yelling on our end is going to teach him different.

by isodore on Jan 22, 2007 12:57 PM PST up reply actions

Nestor - Please

Do whatever is necessary to make sure this guy continues to post. He is so totally vapid that he acts as a real catalyst to guys like isadore, and brings out some of their really funny posts. He sort of reminds me of Kramer on the old Seinfeld show.

by Fox 71 on Jan 22, 2007 8:13 PM PST up reply actions