Basketball
Awesomely Simple
by Nestor
on May 9, 2008 4:44 AM PDT
in Basketball
So hello folks. Once again welcome to BN 2.0. Please make sure to read through Trei and the SBN team's welcome post below. I personally love the "FanShots" section of the new site which now allows anyone to instantly post videos, pictures, links/short posts etc without having to deal with 200 word requirement. So have at it.
Meanwhile, I will kick off my first post on the home page with a little flashback:
Only UCLA remains, such a tower in the game that not even the three most publicized college stars of all time have been able to make a mark on its preeminence. Bill Bradley of Princeton and Pete Maravich of LSU came to fame in years of UCLA championships and were forced into bit parts. Even Lew Alcindor, who was of the program and thus had no chance to overcome it from the outside, never quite seemed larger than the whole.
Perhaps, in retrospect, this is because the coach, John Wooden, won before Alcindor and has now won after him. But it is much more than that, too. The UCLA system--Wooden's system--is founded on the simple basics of conditioning, fundamentals and teamwork, which, admirable qualities though they may be, are only goals elsewhere. At UCLA they are necessities.
The all-encompassing authority of the team in recent years has tended to becloud the fact that only since 1962 has UCLA been much of a factor in the national college picture. Wooden came to the Westwood campus in 1948 from Indiana State, and in his first year of major college coaching transformed what was considered to be a last-place team into a running, hustling outfit that never seemed to tire as it won 22 games and the championship of the Pacific Coast Conference's southern division. Right away Wooden was offered the head coaching position at his alma mater, Purdue, where he had been an All-America for three years in the 1930s. He graciously declined.
A few years later, after winning a couple of league titles with his zippety-whirl style of play, he was again approached by Purdue as well as other Big Ten schools. At the time Wooden was anticipating the emergence of Willie Naulls, a development that would make him a contender for the national championship. Again he remained at UCLA. Bill Russell and San Francisco halted Wood-en's drive to the top at that time, and Pete Newell's disciplined, defense-oriented teams at California stopped him later. After three trips to the Western Regional in 12 years and only one victory in a consolation game to show for it, UCLA and John Wooden entered the 1960s with speed, quickness, a fast break and a grand reputation, which, with a dime, got the coach a cup of coffee down at Hollis Johnson's fountain.
Then, in 1962, UCLA won in the West and made it to the national semifinals in Louisville only to meet a Cincinnati team that had won the championship the year before and was to win again that weekend. The Bruins kept the game close and went into the last minute tied, holding the ball for a final shot that would win the game. With time running out, an inexperienced sophomore named Walt Hazzard was called for a charging foul. Cincinnati gained possession, and the Bearcats--not the Bruins--got the final shot and the victory. To this day Wooden believes that had UCLA held onto the ball and made the shot, his team would have beaten Ohio State and an injured Lucas in the finals and won its first championship.
In the latter part of the next season another good UCLA team that was to lose in the regionals (to Arizona State) came upon a little number known as the zone press, and everything began to draw together. When the same men returned in 1963-64--Hazzard and Gail Goodrich at the guards, Fred Slaughter at center, Keith Erickson and Jack Hirsch at the forwards--this is what followed
Perhaps, in retrospect, this is because the coach, John Wooden, won before Alcindor and has now won after him. But it is much more than that, too. The UCLA system--Wooden's system--is founded on the simple basics of conditioning, fundamentals and teamwork, which, admirable qualities though they may be, are only goals elsewhere. At UCLA they are necessities.
The all-encompassing authority of the team in recent years has tended to becloud the fact that only since 1962 has UCLA been much of a factor in the national college picture. Wooden came to the Westwood campus in 1948 from Indiana State, and in his first year of major college coaching transformed what was considered to be a last-place team into a running, hustling outfit that never seemed to tire as it won 22 games and the championship of the Pacific Coast Conference's southern division. Right away Wooden was offered the head coaching position at his alma mater, Purdue, where he had been an All-America for three years in the 1930s. He graciously declined.
A few years later, after winning a couple of league titles with his zippety-whirl style of play, he was again approached by Purdue as well as other Big Ten schools. At the time Wooden was anticipating the emergence of Willie Naulls, a development that would make him a contender for the national championship. Again he remained at UCLA. Bill Russell and San Francisco halted Wood-en's drive to the top at that time, and Pete Newell's disciplined, defense-oriented teams at California stopped him later. After three trips to the Western Regional in 12 years and only one victory in a consolation game to show for it, UCLA and John Wooden entered the 1960s with speed, quickness, a fast break and a grand reputation, which, with a dime, got the coach a cup of coffee down at Hollis Johnson's fountain.
Then, in 1962, UCLA won in the West and made it to the national semifinals in Louisville only to meet a Cincinnati team that had won the championship the year before and was to win again that weekend. The Bruins kept the game close and went into the last minute tied, holding the ball for a final shot that would win the game. With time running out, an inexperienced sophomore named Walt Hazzard was called for a charging foul. Cincinnati gained possession, and the Bearcats--not the Bruins--got the final shot and the victory. To this day Wooden believes that had UCLA held onto the ball and made the shot, his team would have beaten Ohio State and an injured Lucas in the finals and won its first championship.
In the latter part of the next season another good UCLA team that was to lose in the regionals (to Arizona State) came upon a little number known as the zone press, and everything began to draw together. When the same men returned in 1963-64--Hazzard and Gail Goodrich at the guards, Fred Slaughter at center, Keith Erickson and Jack Hirsch at the forwards--this is what followed
Well what followed were the Banners no. 1 (64), 2 (65), 3 (67), 4 (68), 5 (69), 6 (70) and 4 more under Coach John R. Wooden. Yeap. Those grafs are from an article by Curry Kirkpatrick entitled "Ucla: Simple, Awesomly Simple", that was published in the Sports Illustrated issued dated November 20, 1970. It is currently available on SI Vault.
And it is a must read for every alum and students of UCLA who follow our basketball program. The article is full of so many nuggets including this that will crack you up:
It is often pointed out that UCLA's success with out-of-state recruits has been limited to black players. The school has never had a white player of star quality from out of state simply because the coaches don't look far away very diligently. They don't have to. Despite the claims of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, only New York City matches Southern California in high school basketball talent. Wooden does not miss much of the home product. Three years ago he did miss on Paul Westphal, who attended Wooden's own summer camp for four years. Says Westphal, now a junior and a budding superstar at Southern Cal, "It would have been just another championship at UCLA. If we win here, it will be unique. It's more of an achievement to beat Coach Wooden than to win for him."
Yeah, that really worked out for him. I guess those guys have been working at "gap closing" for 38 years.
What was really interesting to me were these excerpts re. Coach Wooden's relationship with his players and his reputation of being someone who always wanted to be in control:
Wooden's most recent crisis had nothing to do with race. It came at the UCLA basketball dinner last spring when, in his farewell speech, Bill Seibert, a little-used reserve forward, bitterly attacked the UCLA system as harboring "double standards," "unequal treatment" for starters and substitutes, and a "lack of communication" between the players and the coaching staff. Seibert articulated what many players in the past had felt but not said. During the speech he was shouted down and booed by alumni, but at its conclusion he received a standing ovation from his teammates. Wooden handled what was an immensely difficult situation in his usual composed manner. In truth, he was hurt more than anyone knew. In the days to follow, the team held several meetings on its own to discuss how to improve conditions. Wooden summoned individual players and requested that, if they felt as Seibert had, they leave the team.
Following this, some starters went to Wooden and asked him to stop "harassing" their fellow players, or they (the starters) would quit. The coach told one player that he himself would resign if pressured with any ultimatums from the team. "The whole thing got out of hand," says one prominent Bruin. "We told him we didn't want to challenge him. We just wanted the right to get up and say something if things were going badly. I told him we came to UCLA because we wanted him to coach basketball, not coach our private lives. He had been trying to divide us and harass us. Wooden has always said we were students first and players next. But he never considered what the ramifications of that are--that as a basketball coach, he can't control our identities."
In the end, Wooden met with the team as a unit, and Sidney Wicks, the star, spoke for everyone. "You shouldn't feel threatened by this," he said. "We're here as a team and you taught us that."
Following this, some starters went to Wooden and asked him to stop "harassing" their fellow players, or they (the starters) would quit. The coach told one player that he himself would resign if pressured with any ultimatums from the team. "The whole thing got out of hand," says one prominent Bruin. "We told him we didn't want to challenge him. We just wanted the right to get up and say something if things were going badly. I told him we came to UCLA because we wanted him to coach basketball, not coach our private lives. He had been trying to divide us and harass us. Wooden has always said we were students first and players next. But he never considered what the ramifications of that are--that as a basketball coach, he can't control our identities."
In the end, Wooden met with the team as a unit, and Sidney Wicks, the star, spoke for everyone. "You shouldn't feel threatened by this," he said. "We're here as a team and you taught us that."
As for Seibert, here is how the story ended:
To Wooden's credit, he has never defended either himself or his system by pointing to all of those national championships. "Winning isn't the most important thing," he says. He also has maintained closer relationships with his players after they have departed UCLA and are past what one player calls "the emotional chaos" of the player-coach association. Alcindor, for example, has since apologized for some of his remarks about Wooden, and just last month appeared quite by surprise for a private dinner party at the Bel Air Country Club to celebrate his former coach's 60th birthday. Seibert, too, has made his peace with Wooden--just before he left for Australia and a coaching and teaching position that Wooden had obtained for him.
"Insensitive?" the coach asks. "I don't think so. All I want to know is, have I been fair? Not have I been right, because I know I haven't always been. But have I been fair? I think I have. I always remember to do my best, and I have peace of mind."
"Insensitive?" the coach asks. "I don't think so. All I want to know is, have I been fair? Not have I been right, because I know I haven't always been. But have I been fair? I think I have. I always remember to do my best, and I have peace of mind."
Well I will let alums such as Class of 66 and Fox 71 fill us in lot more on those Glory days. But what really struck me about the Seibert story is that it reminded me of some of the stuff that often comes up in talk radio and on the message boards about Coach Howland being too controlling and often too demanding from his players. I am not sure if it was possible to trust in Coach Howland any more than I already do. But reading that article, only reconfirms what I have thought since the day Coach Howland arrived in Westwood. As he is taking back UCLA to where it belongs, once again he is making everything for our program "awesomely simple."
Again make sure to read the entire piece. As I said above, it is a MUST READ for every alum, students of UCLA and the millions of fans who follow the greatest program in the history of this game.
GO BRUINS.
6 comments | 1 recs
Chace To Transfer
by Nestor
on Apr 30, 2008 5:06 PM PDT
in Basketball
Quickhands already diaried the breaking news. The following official release that went out this afternoon from UCLA: Stanback to transfer:
"Chace [Stanback] is an outstanding young man and we appreciate what he did for this program this past year," Howland said. "He helped us win a Pac-10 championship and get to the Final Four and we will always be appreciative of his efforts. We are supportive of him and his future in whatever direction he decides to go."
Stanback averaged 1.0 points and 0.7 rebounds per game while appearing in 25 of the 39 games without making a start during the 2007-08 season. He played in 144 minutes (5.8 minutes per game) while shooting 40.4 percent (19-for-47) from the field and 33.3 percent (7-for-21) from three-point range on the year.
"After speaking with my family and thinking about it for a long time, I feel that it is in my best interest to explore other opportunities," Stanback said. "I want to thank my coaches and teammates because they have helped me improve as a player and grow as a man and I am thankful to them for that. I have a lot of great memories and really enjoyed my time here at UCLA."
Well I certainly didn't see this coming. May be DC's return prompted this decision thinking he was still going to have to battle for playing time.Stanback averaged 1.0 points and 0.7 rebounds per game while appearing in 25 of the 39 games without making a start during the 2007-08 season. He played in 144 minutes (5.8 minutes per game) while shooting 40.4 percent (19-for-47) from the field and 33.3 percent (7-for-21) from three-point range on the year.
"After speaking with my family and thinking about it for a long time, I feel that it is in my best interest to explore other opportunities," Stanback said. "I want to thank my coaches and teammates because they have helped me improve as a player and grow as a man and I am thankful to them for that. I have a lot of great memories and really enjoyed my time here at UCLA."
Anyway, I wish Chace luck. Hopefully he transfers to a program that will be a good fit for the skill sets he brings to the court. He seems like a great kid.
As for us, the beat goes on. We were in good position to take this kind of hit in the wing position next year with the arrival of 2 Micky Ders like Holiday and Lee. Here is the current worst case scenario:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collison | Holiday | Roll | Gordon | Keefe | |
| Anderson | Lee |
And if Shipp and Dragovic returns to the program we are going to be in even better shape. Stanback's transfer means Coach Howland will have one more player to recruit who will commit to playing Ben Ball and competing for championships in Westwood.
GO BRUINS.
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Ben Ball News Notes: After The First NBA Draft Deadline
by Nestor
on Apr 29, 2008 4:01 AM PDT
in Basketball
Now that we have passed April 27 (the deadline players to enter the NBA draft w or w/o an agent), the next date to keep our eye on is June 16. That’s the date by which LRMAM and JS (players who haven’t signed an agent) will have to decide whether or not to stay in the draft. Yeah, I know. KL and RW fit into that category as well since they haven’t signed an agent (yet), but who are we kidding. They are gone.
A number of analysts in the MSM have reset their assessments for next year’s team based on the April 27th deadline and according to them the Bruins are looking more than all right based on the unexpected news of DC’s return for his senior season. From Andy Katz on WWL:
As Love progressed during the season, it became more and more obvious that he would bolt for the NBA. The assumption, though, was that so too would point guard Collison. Collison's surprise announcement Saturday that he's not going to test the draft as a junior is a huge coup for the Bruins. Westbrook may stay in the draft since he's a hot name right now, but that's an OK hit considering the Bruins most likely will still have a scoring guard in Shipp (although he struggled at the end of the season), the return of injured guard Michael Roll, and big-time newcomers Jrue Holiday, Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson on the perimeter. Holiday may just be this season's Jerryd Bayless or Derrick Rose, a lead guard who can help change the fortunes of a team. Mbah a Moute, like Shipp, probably won't stay in the draft. And if he comes back, along with Alfred Aboya, James Keefe and newcomer Drew Gordon inside, the Bruins have a real shot to make a play for a fourth straight Final Four. Not having Love to anchor the post is a major hit, but coach Ben Howland has adjusted quite well to different personnel during his tenure. The result is always the same -- the Bruins win and win big.
Hmm, can anyone tell me how did Bayless "change the fortunes" of Arizona? They were mediocre before him. They remained so with him. Anyway, it's just Arizona.Meanwhile, Luke Winn from SI.com has penciled in UCLA as the number 2 pre-season team in the nation:
What happened in April: A declaration party. Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Josh Shipp all put their names in the draft, but none hired an agent. Junior Darren Collison opted to stay. I'm evaluating the Bruins with the expectation that Mbah a Moute and Shipp will also be back in Westwood.
Impact: Given that Collison would have been a first-round pick, his return was the surprise of draft-deadline weekend. He and Hansbrough will share the Roy Hibbert Spirit Trophy -- for enhancing the college game as seniors, not improving their draft stock -- and be locks for preseason first-team All-America status. Having Collison, Jrue Holiday and Josh Shipp at the 1-2-3 spots will make for a dangerous, perimeter-based offense that should run away with the Pac-10.
Both Andy and Luke made those observations assuming both LRMAM and JS will come back next season. I am not ready to make those assumptions yet, I will wait till June 16th for this process to play out and see what Coach Howland ends up with for next season.Impact: Given that Collison would have been a first-round pick, his return was the surprise of draft-deadline weekend. He and Hansbrough will share the Roy Hibbert Spirit Trophy -- for enhancing the college game as seniors, not improving their draft stock -- and be locks for preseason first-team All-America status. Having Collison, Jrue Holiday and Josh Shipp at the 1-2-3 spots will make for a dangerous, perimeter-based offense that should run away with the Pac-10.
One kid who will not be in a UCLA uniform is Ater Majok who committed to UConn after his official visit to Storrs, CT over the weekend. He was done after that visit and apparently didn’t want to bother with coming out to Westwood. Oh well. Good luck to Ater and the Huskies. They are going to have a Final-4 caliber team next year. For their sake they should keep their fingers crossed and avoid USD in first week of the Big Dance.
I want to go back and revisit DC’s return though. I think we need to take a look at development (unexpected IMO) and appreciate its significance in the world of Ben Ball:
I don’t think we can stress enough the kind of depth we are going to have the backcourt next season. Meriones diagnosed our key shortcoming this past season, when a thin backcourt impacted our team’s over all performance. Well we shouldn’t have those issues with DC and JH (w JA and ML ready to step up) in the back court any more. We will have the perfect blend of experience, athleticism, speed, and then prototypical Ben Ball defensive ferocity from our backcourt powering the whole team. The deep backcourt will allow us not just come with ferocious defensive pressure but sustain it for the whole game.
With DC in the team there will be no confusion as to who is going to on and off court leader of next year’s edition of Ben Ball warriors. I think since AA’s departure there was a gap in leadership that was felt at points throughout this past season. While KL had a remarkable freshman season, and said the right things and stepped up when he was being counted on, he could never really claim the mantle of being the leader of this team. At the same time DC, JS or LRMAM somewhat lurked around the background because of the incredible spotlight shining on KL. That’s not going to be the case any longer. There will be no doubt as to who is going to be the unquestioned floor general for the Ben Ball warriors next season:
"I felt that this was my chance to do something real special in coming back for my senior year," Collison said. "I'm totally confident in what we're going to do (next) season, something special that we were trying to accomplish last year. I'm loyal to this program, and I knew the confidence of this (freshman) class coming in, and my teammates and this coaching staff had a lot to do with making my decision more confident."
Another huge ramification of DC’s return is the stability it will bring in Howland’s recruiting pattern. Because of the depleted state in which he inherited the UCLA program, Howland had to insert both JF and AA in the line up right from their freshmen years. It ended up accelerating their development at UCLA resulting in their early departures to the NBA. If Howland didn’t inherit a program in such bad shape neither AA or JF would have logged 30+ mins in their first year at UCLA. And as soon as JF left, he had to plug in RW, accelerating his growth … leading to what’s looking like another early departure from UCLA. DC is going to be the first senior guard Howland will have at UCLA. What that means is it will allow him to bring in guards like Anderson and Lee a little more methodically. Don’t get me wrong those kids will get a lot of mins next season. But they are not going to be called upon to carry the load like JF and AA had to in their years at UCLA. In terms of roster movement and stability in recruiting plans, it’s a huge deal.Lastly, as stoked as we all are about DC’s return, he still needs to work on his game this summer. DC needs to hit the weight room hard this off season. Hopefully he will be able to put on 15 extra pounds, allowing him to hang in their with more physical guards. He will also have to work and think about how to become a better decision maker on the court. In other words he will need to find a way to improve his court vision so that when he comes back next season our offense is not stuck in a rut as he is dribbling around for 25-27 seconds before jacking up long bombs. I think this issue can be addressed by speeding up the tempo of the game (which Howland has hinted at already). Not to mention presence of more skilled options around the wing could help his cause in this area as well.
Either way, right now things are looking pretty good in the world of UCLA football. It will look even better if we get either Luc or AA2 (or both) as well as JS by June 16th. We will see how it all works out. Given the state of the program we can afford to be patient (even though we know the coaching staff is going to full court to look for options around the planet).
GO BRUINS.
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WELCOME BACK DC!!!!
by Nestor
on Apr 26, 2008 2:59 PM PDT
in Basketball
T already blogged the blockbuster story in the diaries. But this deserves attention on the center court.
So much for our goodbyes!
WELCOME BACK DARREN!!!
Photo Credit: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images
When both Augustin and Abrams from Texas also put their names in the draft (tryouts) (also Ellington and Lawson from UNC), I started having this weird hunch that he was coming back. But I didn't want to jinx anything here on BN.
Well this alleviates the concerns re. potential nuclear scenario a lot. Love is still gone and he is not coming back. I am not holding out hope for RW. But if we can hold on to LRMAM, AA2, and JS ...look out.
But already next year with DC our line up looking better than the what we anticipated in the worst case scenario.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collison | Holiday | Stanback | Gordon | Keefe | |
| Anderson | Roll | Lee |
We still have to wait and see what happens with Roll because the injury he suffered is difficult to get back from. But this is still a huge development. And as I said above if we can even get either Luc or AA2 or both back, we are going to be set.
So again ...WELCOME BACK DARREN.
Coach Howland was emotional in his reaction:
"I have no doubt Darren would have been a first-round draft choice this season," UCLA Head Coach Ben Howland said. "It tears me up thinking about his loyalty to the program and it will be very special with him returning next year."
We can now look forward to potentially the back college back court in America in 08-09. I also have a feeling with so much speed in our line up we are going to see the same terrorizing Ben Ball defense but with a faster tempo on both sides of the court. I am already getting fired up for our next tip off.GO BRUINS.
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Disenchantment
by Nestor
on Apr 23, 2008 5:13 PM PDT
in Basketball
There seems to be lot of disenchantment and bitterness towards the "one and done" rule (and 18-19 year old incredibly talented/athletically gifted kids who are operating through it) in the world of college basketball these days. Lot of people are feigning shock and outrage over kids like Love, Beasely, Mayo, Rose, Durant and Oden coming into college for one year and then quickly jumping over to the NBA.
I have no idea why this has been surprising to so many people given the way prepsters were routinely skipping college in favor of the NBA since the days of Garnett and Kobe (who may face off in the first Celtics-Lakers final that I am not going spend too much time watching). People like Plaschke (LA Times) and Mitch Albom (Detroit Free Press) are losing sleep over the current state of play.
I will admit Plaschke has a point when he argues the current "one and done" rule has reduced the college game into an "NBA minor league":
This new NBA rule has caused the most chaotic kind of free agency.
In no sport other than minor league baseball can a great player show up for one year, then just disappear to a better job in the same sport.
The senior leaders are now one-and-done freshmen. Star today, gone tomorrow. [...]
"The pros have ruined college basketball," former Bruins great Mike Warren said. "They've turned it upside down, turned it into an NBA minor league."
Warren does not agree that a player like Love will leave with no legacy. "He did more for UCLA in one year than some people do in four years," Warren said. "His legacy will last."
BTW I agree with Warren about Love's legacy. Yes, he doesn't belong at the same level as Ed O'Bannon or Tyus Edney, but he did have a remarkable first year with a number of moments that will have its own place in Bruin lore.In no sport other than minor league baseball can a great player show up for one year, then just disappear to a better job in the same sport.
The senior leaders are now one-and-done freshmen. Star today, gone tomorrow. [...]
"The pros have ruined college basketball," former Bruins great Mike Warren said. "They've turned it upside down, turned it into an NBA minor league."
Warren does not agree that a player like Love will leave with no legacy. "He did more for UCLA in one year than some people do in four years," Warren said. "His legacy will last."
But let's get back to the point about the "one and done" rule reducing the college game into a minor league. Mitch Albom made the same argument in the Detroit Free Press:
If you want to run a minor league, then say it's a minor league. Don't call it college. Don't play charades with words like "student" and "alum." Are the Loves and Beasleys of the world really alumni of a school? Do their pictures really belong in the hallways and in brochures?
They are the basketball version of in-transit passengers, the ones that go from one plane to another by walking through a special corridor. If you really attended college, you know its value. You learn to be a student, to live on your own, to make decisions about time, study, friends, to grow up.
You don't get that pulling on a uniform for a few months. Dick Vitale used to call these kids Diaper Dandies. Not anymore. Diapers don't have pockets. And stuffing pockets -- on both sides -- is all this charade is about.
Oh my gosh! Can you feel the outrage in the columns of Plaschke and Albom?They are the basketball version of in-transit passengers, the ones that go from one plane to another by walking through a special corridor. If you really attended college, you know its value. You learn to be a student, to live on your own, to make decisions about time, study, friends, to grow up.
You don't get that pulling on a uniform for a few months. Dick Vitale used to call these kids Diaper Dandies. Not anymore. Diapers don't have pockets. And stuffing pockets -- on both sides -- is all this charade is about.
Even if these guys are making the right point, I wonder if we are going to sense that outrage in the next column when they are glorifying the world of the Lakers and Pistons. You know the league "where amazing happens"?
I put up the post on the Lakers/UCLA football for a reason. I thought it was interesting to see how many UCLA fans responded in that thread and wrote about how much they love their Lakers. Well, I tell you what. I am with Menelaus:
I love the Lakers, but most of my cherished Laker memories come from a time when I regarded pro basketball as an enjoyable sport. Sadly, that time has passed.
I'm not all the way with Fox in not minding if the Lakers went the way of the Washington Generals, but I'm not too far off.
With bruinbabe2000:
I'm not all the way with Fox in not minding if the Lakers went the way of the Washington Generals, but I'm not too far off.
I really don't care much about the NBA. I'm happy for guys like Baron Davis and Jordan Farmar, but I won't watch a complete NBA game that doesn't have the Lakers. And even if the Lakers are playing, I just watch a little here and there.
And with tasser10:
Unless things change in the NBA, my interest will keep waning year after year. Too many teams, too many overpaid mediocre players, too many games. The whole thing has been watered down.
In other words if you are going to be disenchanted and bitter about the way the intertwined world of college and pro basketball is set up, don't direct it towards these kids who are simply making the best financial decisions for them (while playing within the rules), while both the fat cats in the NBA and the NCAA administrators are doing what they can to suck up as much $$$ as they possibly can, while ruining the game at both levels.Is there a solution to this mess? There probably is. Gene Wojciechowski from WWL suggested in a system that resembles the MLB draft:
The NBA ought to get out of the minimum age requirement business. After all, amazing happened when the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted an 18-year-old King James, and when the Charlotte Hornets drafted a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant.
And the NCAA ought to get out of the enabling business. Being at school isn't the same thing as being in school. Rationalize it any way you want, but one and done is mercenary sports, nothing more.
But if the NBA insists on an age minimum, then the least it can do is consider Major League Baseball's draft stance. It isn't perfect, but it beats this mess.
MLB drafts high school players. But if you sign with a four-year college instead of the pros, then you have to wait until after your junior season (or 21st birthday) to be eligible for the draft again. If you drop out of college, you have to petition the commissioner's office for entry into the draft.
No more one and dones. No more one-semester students. This way you give everyone a choice: the NBA, the high school stars and the D-I programs. It's what you call, "taking it to the next level."
Well that makes a lot of sense. Although Gene is a little behind ryebreadraz, who had already mentioned the idea here. That works for me and coaches like Ben Howland have the potential to dominate in that kind of set up.And the NCAA ought to get out of the enabling business. Being at school isn't the same thing as being in school. Rationalize it any way you want, but one and done is mercenary sports, nothing more.
But if the NBA insists on an age minimum, then the least it can do is consider Major League Baseball's draft stance. It isn't perfect, but it beats this mess.
MLB drafts high school players. But if you sign with a four-year college instead of the pros, then you have to wait until after your junior season (or 21st birthday) to be eligible for the draft again. If you drop out of college, you have to petition the commissioner's office for entry into the draft.
No more one and dones. No more one-semester students. This way you give everyone a choice: the NBA, the high school stars and the D-I programs. It's what you call, "taking it to the next level."
However, for the time being, all Coach Howland can do is play by the rules. He can make sure he puts together a team of student athletes (who are qualified based on UCLA's academic standards) who play by the rules and give him the best opportunity to compete at the elite level year after year. That means bringing in recruits who could potentially leave after one or two years and also bringing in kids like Roll, Mata et al who will grow and develop into good college players staying for the entire 4-5 years.
Is the system fun? Of course not. But does that mean we take our disenchantment and frustration and direct it towards kids who are playing by the rules that have been set up by the NCAA and the NBA? Absolutely not.
I am all for reforming the system. But until that happens I am not going to direct my frustrations at kids like Love who stay in the program for one year or kids like Jrue Holiday who may not last at UCLA for more than 1-2 seasons.
Why get angry at kids who have grown up in an MTVized corporate sports culture of the NBA, who have been brainwashed to think it's Staples not Pauley "where amazing happens"?
Why get angry at kids who see the life styles of gazillionare NBA athletes routinely glamorized on ESPN and MTV?
If you want to do something about this problem, then put pressure on the officials who run the NBA and the NCAA. Put pressure on the actual people who don't have the emotional investment in their alma maters or schools like you or I do. Put pressure on the people who only care about the bottom line, which is to pocket as much $$$ for their respective institutions. By all means, use the platform we have on BN. If you want to reform the process badly ... organize. Write your heart out to keep the discussion going and get others to join in. But don't get bitter at the 18 year old kids who are playing by the rules.
Oh, and keep in mind when you are taking in those "amazing" Laker games at Staples or whatever way you are supporting the NBA, you are also playing a role in supporting an institution that is hugely responsible for the sorry state of basketball in America today. I am not saying that people should be boycotting the NBA. All I am saying is to keep that in the back of your minds. As for me, like Menelaus, bruinbabe, and tasser I have lost all interest and passion for the NBA for what it has done to the landscape of the college game. Plus, I find the one-on-action with no defense in the NBA games boring and ugly.
Meanwhile, I am going to put my faith in Coach Howland. I will root for the players he bring in who to date have been remarkable in the way they represent our alma mater both on and off the court. Ben Ball at Pauley: in my book that's the kind of setting where 'amazing' actually happens.
GO BRUINS.
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Luc's Calculations
by Nestor
on Apr 19, 2008 9:34 AM PDT
in Basketball
While some UCLA fans are intent on over-reacting to this past week's news (relying on "Star Trek" based "teaching"), let's look at the reasons behind Luc's decision to put his name in the draft.
From Brian Dohn on why LRMAM's move makes sense for him (emphasis added):
[T]he calculated move has merit, since Mbah a Moute is not hiring an agent, will remain in school and keep his eligibility, and a new rule allows for NBA teams to pay for travel to team workouts.
Mbah a Moute said anything short of learning he will be a first-rounder in the June26 draft will likely facilitate his removal from the draft and a return for his senior season at UCLA. He is currently projected as a second-round selection.
"If I get good feedback from teams, I'll probably go ahead and keep my name in the draft," Mbah a Moute said. "I'm trying to work myself into the first round and try to get a guaranteed contract. If that doesn't work, then I'll probably weigh my options as to whether to come back to school or not."
LRMAM is doing exactly what AA did after his sophomore season. He is just doing it a year later. He basically has one shot to test the NBA draft waters and he is taking it. If he doesn't do it now he is somewhat wasting this opportunity, just like Roy Williams did when he was clinging to his TOs when his team was getting blitzed by Kansas.Mbah a Moute said anything short of learning he will be a first-rounder in the June26 draft will likely facilitate his removal from the draft and a return for his senior season at UCLA. He is currently projected as a second-round selection.
"If I get good feedback from teams, I'll probably go ahead and keep my name in the draft," Mbah a Moute said. "I'm trying to work myself into the first round and try to get a guaranteed contract. If that doesn't work, then I'll probably weigh my options as to whether to come back to school or not."
If LRMAM did this at the end of last season, I would have some sympathy for fans being upset at the decision. But to be upset with LRMAM for doing this at the end of his junior year is just selfish and nothing else. LRMAM has every right to do this. This is his last chance before he finishes college.
Here was Coach Howland on LRMAM's decision in the LA Times:
When asked whether he advised Mbah a Moute to enter his name into the draft, Howland said, "I supported him because I knew this is what he wants to do. I didn't say, 'Luc, go put your name in the draft.' "
More from Coach Howland on what LRMAM needs to do get himself in the NBA:
"He doesn't have to be a 3-point shooter at the NBA level. Just be a consistent 18-foot jump shooter," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "He really has to work on getting his rotation. Sometimes his rotation gets a little off, and that's a consistency (thing) ... as he gets his rotation to be consistently perfect, I think his shot will improve." [...]
Mbah a Moute is a stellar, versatile defender who can guard a number of positions, which could elevate his value.
"He's the only player I had who can guard the point guard at the college level, or a (center)," Howland said. "He can guard the Lopezes (7-footers Brook and Robin from Stanford), or he can guard a point guard on a switch. He's unbelievably versatile in that area. He's already there, and I think when he really puts his mind to it, he's an NBA rebounder.
"So it just comes down to him being consistent on his jump shooting, and he's going to be in the NBA."
If he blows up in these workouts and gets himself into the first round, then great for him, and I wouldn't blame him for not coming back. But if things don't work out for him at these tryouts, it will be awesome for our team to have him back.Mbah a Moute is a stellar, versatile defender who can guard a number of positions, which could elevate his value.
"He's the only player I had who can guard the point guard at the college level, or a (center)," Howland said. "He can guard the Lopezes (7-footers Brook and Robin from Stanford), or he can guard a point guard on a switch. He's unbelievably versatile in that area. He's already there, and I think when he really puts his mind to it, he's an NBA rebounder.
"So it just comes down to him being consistent on his jump shooting, and he's going to be in the NBA."
Either way this is a calculated win-win move for LRMAM, and no one here should be bitter over it.
GO BRUINS.
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Ben Ball News & Notes: No Reason To Get Down
by Nestor
on Apr 18, 2008 4:03 AM PDT
in Basketball
Let’s get right to the round up from what was a tough day for lot of UCLA basketball fans around this Nation. Here are the key grafs re. KL decision from Dohn’s report:
Love appears to be more of a certainty to leave. Howland, in talking to NBA personnel, said Love is projected as a power forward and a lottery pick, ranging from No. 4 to No. 14 overall.
Love, UCLA's first all-American as a freshman and the Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year, averaged 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
"He can come back to school if he doesn't test well, but I think he'll be all right," said Love's father, Stan, who fought back tears after the announcement. "He's tough and he doesn't back down from challenges, and he's the hardest working player I've ever seen."
Again I wouldn’t advice anyone to hang on to any kind of glimmer of hope that KL will be in a UCLA basketball uniform next season. It’s not going to happen and frankly as I have said all season long it was never in the cards. We can’t get mad at gifted athletes such as KL who would have gone straight to the NBA if not for the current rules.Love, UCLA's first all-American as a freshman and the Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year, averaged 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
"He can come back to school if he doesn't test well, but I think he'll be all right," said Love's father, Stan, who fought back tears after the announcement. "He's tough and he doesn't back down from challenges, and he's the hardest working player I've ever seen."
If you want to vent your frustrations and anger at someone, you should probably direct it towards folks who run NBA and other professional leagues in this country (I don't follow the current group of Lakers with the same emotional investment I followed Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Scott, Coop et al). They MTVized the sport in such a way that kids like KL, Kevin Durant, and other talented hoopsters grow up dreaming about living that glamour life so glorified by WWL and other outlets in the current corporate driven world of sports and entertainment industries.
All KL and other kids are doing are playing by the rules. He came to UCLA, gave everything he had on the court and did his best to totally fit in our extended community, and now that he has the opportunity to pursue his dreams, he is taking advantage of it. Nothing wrong with a kid pursuing his dreams and being happy. I wish him nothing but the best, and it is incredibly selfish for any of us to get upset with his decision when all along he has simply played by the rules and making smart decision.
As for the "legacy" issues here is what KL said about how he wants to do his part to always be a part of UCLA:
"I'm just looking to leave a legacy at UCLA,'' Love said. "Former basketball players such as Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who played under Coach Wooden as Lew Alcindor, and Bill Walton left their legacy on the basketball court, and off the court as well. I want to continue to do that beyond basketball.
"I want to help this school financially, sponsor player with my financial resources any way I possibly can.
"Lastly, I want to be come back UCLA, get my degree and put a smile on my mother's face.
I myself will probably not put KL in the same league as Ed O’Bannon (forget about Jabbar and Walton). However, if KL comes back and finishes up his degree, and promote our school and our program just like MJD, Baron Davis, JF, AA and other illustrious Bruins who left early to pursue their dreams (in MJD and Davis’s case – escape bad coaching), he will absolutely build his legacy here at UCLA. Coach Howland actually had a pretty interesting comment on this in the LA Times:
"I want to help this school financially, sponsor player with my financial resources any way I possibly can.
"Lastly, I want to be come back UCLA, get my degree and put a smile on my mother's face.
Howland said the defection in 2004 of freshman Trevor Ariza, now with the Lakers, "was not a great decision from a standpoint that he went late second round. He made it, thank goodness, but when you leave early you want to be a first-rounder.
"Bottom line . . . I think Kevin benefited from this year at UCLA, which is really going to help him as we move forward."
Unlike Ariza RW has an opportunity to emerge as a first rounder but there actually may be a glimmer of hope about him returning to UCLA. From Dohn:
"Bottom line . . . I think Kevin benefited from this year at UCLA, which is really going to help him as we move forward."
Westbrook, who mostly played off-guard for the Bruins, said his NBA position will be point guard. He is projected as a No. 15 to No. 25 pick, and discussed what would keep him in the draft.
"If I'm top 20, there's a possibility I might not be coming back," Westbrook said. "If I was higher, I might consider coming back to school."
A key for the 6-foot-3 Westbrook will be showing consistency with his jump shot. His stock rose as the season progressed because of his ability to drive to the basket and score, but his jump shot remains a question.
Well I am not going to wish this kid flunk his NBA tryouts. I hope he blows up in his tryouts, impress the scouts and gets himself in a position to emerge as a sure fire top-20 pick. However, if he finds himself in a position where its not a certainty that he is a top-20 pick, and he comes back, well game on. But again I’d advise everyone here not to hold out hope and just get in the mindset that he is gone. I know that I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment."If I'm top 20, there's a possibility I might not be coming back," Westbrook said. "If I was higher, I might consider coming back to school."
A key for the 6-foot-3 Westbrook will be showing consistency with his jump shot. His stock rose as the season progressed because of his ability to drive to the basket and score, but his jump shot remains a question.
In any event, given who is in charge of our program, there is no reason to be discouraged. From Chris Dufresne in the LA Times:
While a Bruins world mourns the loss of Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook -- with Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Darren Collison possibly soon to follow -- the devoted should be thankful Ben Howland held it together this long.
Those three straight Final Four runs took talent, timing and a little bit of plate-spinning. Thursday, however, the Bruins lost a formal dining set.
"You become a little bit a victim of your own success," said Santa Clara Coach Kerry Keating, a former UCLA assistant on Howland's staff.
It was bound to happen -- and the Bruins are bound to bounce back.
College basketball isn't what used to be or will ever be again.
Lew Alcindor doesn't show up on campus as a freshman, sit out a year and then win three NCAA titles.
Read rest of the article here, which emphasizes how Coach Howland has put together the kind of foundation in place that will allow UCLA to withstand these kinds of shocks (a reality in today’s hoops world) and bounce back sooner or later.Those three straight Final Four runs took talent, timing and a little bit of plate-spinning. Thursday, however, the Bruins lost a formal dining set.
"You become a little bit a victim of your own success," said Santa Clara Coach Kerry Keating, a former UCLA assistant on Howland's staff.
It was bound to happen -- and the Bruins are bound to bounce back.
College basketball isn't what used to be or will ever be again.
Lew Alcindor doesn't show up on campus as a freshman, sit out a year and then win three NCAA titles.
As for bouncing back, Coach Howland is waiting to see what transpires in the coming weeks:
"We don't know who's coming back and who is going to be on the team," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "I think that we'll be competitive. How competitive will be based upon who is in the program."
From the LA Times on upcoming decisions:
Junior forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute delayed a scheduled news conference appearance with Westbrook and is expected to have a final decision on his future by the weekend, a UCLA men's basketball spokesman said.
Forward-center Alfred Aboya, guard-forward Josh Shipp and guard Darren Collison are weighing options. Collison's mother, June, said her son "has 10 more days to make a decision, and, knowing Darren, that's what he'll do: take all 10 days. He's very methodical in his decision making. It doesn't matter who stays or goes. He'll make his own decision."
I have seen some consternation around here as people are wondering why these kids would consider leaving early. Let me just zero in on AA2 and LRMAM, because those two kids can really help our program if they come back next season. I posted this already last week but I will do it again. Here was Coach Howland on AA2’s situation:
Forward-center Alfred Aboya, guard-forward Josh Shipp and guard Darren Collison are weighing options. Collison's mother, June, said her son "has 10 more days to make a decision, and, knowing Darren, that's what he'll do: take all 10 days. He's very methodical in his decision making. It doesn't matter who stays or goes. He'll make his own decision."
About Alfred Aboya, the Bruin coach said, "Let’s project and say Kevin did leave; Alfred you would look at, right now, as our leading candidate to be our starting center next year. If we were to lose him, we’ve already lost Lorenzo, that would be obviously, a huge loss. I hope that Alfred does come back; I hope he finishes his last year of college. I think he’ll have a great year, but again, that’s his decision. He has issues within family, for example; his dad is a diabetic and his mother has high blood pressure and they both need medications and they cost significant amounts of money. So he has that; that is a stress on him. There’s a lot of things that are hard of these kids to know and he has to make that decision. He still may not be able to finish the classes. For example, if Alfred goes and plays for the national team, he may not be able to finish the classes in the summer and he would have to come back because graduation from college is the No. 1 priority for that young man.
"He’s given way too much and has been so key in our last three years and the success we’ve had; Alfred can take whatever time he needs. He’s talked about law school; he’s not certain what he wants to do in that respect, so there’s some uncertainty as to what he wants."
I know everyone wants both AA2 and LRMAM to come back badly. But put yourself in AA2’s large shoes. He has been with us for three years literally giving his blood (and broken bones), leaving everything on the court (while terrorizing opponents and team-mates in practices …lol). He has kicked ass in class room. He is on track to graduate and oh by the way he has already experienced 3 Pac-10 championships and 3 Final-4s, a run unmatched by any other junior class in post Wooden era. So what’s wrong with the scenario if he just wants to try out something else and oh I don’t know … delve more into academics?"He’s given way too much and has been so key in our last three years and the success we’ve had; Alfred can take whatever time he needs. He’s talked about law school; he’s not certain what he wants to do in that respect, so there’s some uncertainty as to what he wants."
Same with LRMAM, another kid leaving thousands of miles away from his family, also on track to graduate early, and with a UCLA resume of hoops success unmatched by any other junior class in Post Wooden era. He is a junior. This is his last chance to test the NBA waters. So why not go out there this spring, participate in the NBA tryouts and see if he gets any signals from NBA club that would want him as a first round pick?
The decision making process kids like AA2 and LRMAM are going through makes all kind of sense to me. And I just don’t see why people should get bitter over it or try to look for something that isn’t there re. whether they are not excited to be back as Bruins. Same goes for JS, a kid who has been effected by 2 serious hip surgeries. JS despite his limited physical abilities gave what he had this year and did his best to play within the team game. I can understand why after four years of college basketball in which he played a key role in reestablishing UCLA as one of the elite program in the country, he wants to try something else.
So give these guys a little room and let the process work out. Once the smoke clears with Coach Howland in place even if the nuclear scenario has taken place, I feel good that we are going to be all right. There is no reason to get down.
GO BRUINS.
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Thank You Kevin
by Nestor
on Apr 17, 2008 6:25 PM PDT
in Basketball
As I have said all along for months this shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone here on Bruins Nation. So there wasn't any tiny voice in my head saying, "what if he stays ...?" :-)
I know some of you are disappointed and were dreaming a little bit, but don't say we didn't warn you. We should have been ready for this day all along. This day was coming the very day KL put on the uniform belonging to Coach Wooden's program.
One of the most enjoyable experiences of last five years has been watch this young man give everything he had this past year at U.C.L.A.:
Graphic: M Lee (Click To Enlarge)
Again KL didn't have to come to UCLA. He could have gone to UNC or any other program in the country that would have been more than happy to have him as a one year player. He came here, played within the team game, and did everything Coach Howland asked him to get us another Pac-10 title, and lead us to our 3rd straight Final-4. Along the way he said all the right things and conducted himself in a way on and off the court that would have made Coach Wooden proud.
So if any of you are bummed out today (and I can totally understand if some of you are) about KL leaving, I'd still urge you to be thankful and appreciative for the memories and joyful moments he brought us in his only season in Westwood. Let's put the debate aside whether we should consider him as one of the all time Bruin greats. I am sure there will be plenty of time to discuss that topic.
For now something very simple from all of us will do:
Thank You Kevin.
I am going to bet that's the sentiment Coach Wooden would be expecting from all of us towards Kevin in this Nation.
GO BRUINS.
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Ben Ball News & Notes: Announcement Day
by Nestor
on Apr 17, 2008 4:02 AM PDT
in Basketball
It is all over the internets now.
Love and Westbrook will be announcing their decision to make themselves available for the NBA draft at a 1 pm press conference this afternoon per the LA Times.
Also from the Oregonian (as an example to show that this not some grand conspiracy by Brian Dohn):
Kevin Love, who in one year went from high school star at Lake Oswego to college All-American at UCLA, will make another big leap today when he announces that he will himself available for the NBA Draft.
A source close to the Love family told The Oregonian on Wednesday that Love will announce his intention to enter the draft. UCLA has scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. today at the J.D. Morgan Center, the school's athletic administration building at which Love, his father, Stan, and Bruins coach Ben Howland will appear.
Love joins a large group of freshmen around the country who have declared for the draft after an outstanding season, including Memphis' Derrick Rose, USC's O.J. Mayo, Indiana's Eric Gordon, Kansas State's Michael Beasley and Arizona's Jerryd Bayless.
Love entered his freshman season with plenty of expectations after being named a high school all-American at Lake Oswego. He met them with an outstanding season for the Bruins, averaging 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds and shooting 55.9 percent from the field, and was named a first-team All-American and Pacific-10 Conference player of the year.
Here is the blurb from the AP wire.A source close to the Love family told The Oregonian on Wednesday that Love will announce his intention to enter the draft. UCLA has scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. today at the J.D. Morgan Center, the school's athletic administration building at which Love, his father, Stan, and Bruins coach Ben Howland will appear.
Love joins a large group of freshmen around the country who have declared for the draft after an outstanding season, including Memphis' Derrick Rose, USC's O.J. Mayo, Indiana's Eric Gordon, Kansas State's Michael Beasley and Arizona's Jerryd Bayless.
Love entered his freshman season with plenty of expectations after being named a high school all-American at Lake Oswego. He met them with an outstanding season for the Bruins, averaging 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds and shooting 55.9 percent from the field, and was named a first-team All-American and Pacific-10 Conference player of the year.
As Dohn mentioned earlier this week the move became all but official when Coach Howland told Love that he has a very good chance to be a lottery pick. Unlike Love, Westbrook’s situation is a little more ‘precarious’:
Westbrook also is not expected to hire an agent, and his draft position appears more precarious. After talking with NBA personnel, Howland said last week Westbrook was targeted as being a No. 15 to No. 25 pick in the draft.
The athletic sophomore guard saw his stock sky-rocket this season as he emerged as the Pac-10's defensive player of the year, and his ability to drive to the basket impressed scouts. However, he shot 33.8 percent (26 of 77) from 3-point range and the consistency of his jump shot is in question.
Westbrook averaged 12.7 points per game, and led UCLA with 167 assists, and he played point guard when Collison was injured at the beginning of the season. Howland said if Westbrook returned and Collison did not, Westbrook would be UCLA's point guard next season.
RW is taking a chance by making himself for these NBA tryouts. Because keep in mind there are doubts about this outside shooting and his ability to play pg. So if he doesn’t perform well in the tryouts, it could affect his decision whether or not to keep his name in the draft. More from Dohn on factors going into RW’s decision:
The athletic sophomore guard saw his stock sky-rocket this season as he emerged as the Pac-10's defensive player of the year, and his ability to drive to the basket impressed scouts. However, he shot 33.8 percent (26 of 77) from 3-point range and the consistency of his jump shot is in question.
Westbrook averaged 12.7 points per game, and led UCLA with 167 assists, and he played point guard when Collison was injured at the beginning of the season. Howland said if Westbrook returned and Collison did not, Westbrook would be UCLA's point guard next season.
Westbrook, who could be a top 5 pick in the 2009 draft, could put his name in this year, go through workouts and have difficult shooting the ball. If he comes back to UCLA, the memory left with NBA player personnel folks is that Westbrook wasn't a pure shooter, and that could impact his status for 2009.
So this is somewhat of a gamble for RW. Hopefully it works out for him. I am not going to hold out hope for his return to Westwood. However, in terms of come back for one more year, we have already presented the argument how it could really help him position as one of the top players in next year’s draft.DC will probably make his decision later next week. We can pretty much count him as gone. Like I have said we should get mentally ready for a nuclear scenario no matter what and let the process work out on its own. At the end of the day with Howland in charge, things are going to work out all right.
GO BRUINS.
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Ben Ball News & Notes
by Nestor
on Apr 15, 2008 4:09 AM PDT
in Basketball
So after Brian Dohn posted the story about Love making his decision official this week there was another classic non-denial denial from KL via Jeff Goodman from Foxsports.com:
UCLA freshman Kevin Love still hasn't made up his mind.
"I haven't decided yet," the Bruins big man told FOXSports.com on Monday. "I still have some holes to fill on the whole thing, but I should know by the end of the week."
The Los Angeles Times reported last week that Love had already informed Bruins head coach Ben Howland of his decision to declare for the NBA Draft. The L.A. Daily News said an announcement that Love would forgo his final three years of college could come as early as Wednesday.
I am not going to hold my breath. It doesn’t matter whether KL makes it official tomorrow or sometime this week or next. He is gone. I understand people are frustrated with Dohn and other reporters who are trying to break this story, but I am not going to get worked up over it."I haven't decided yet," the Bruins big man told FOXSports.com on Monday. "I still have some holes to fill on the whole thing, but I should know by the end of the week."
The Los Angeles Times reported last week that Love had already informed Bruins head coach Ben Howland of his decision to declare for the NBA Draft. The L.A. Daily News said an announcement that Love would forgo his final three years of college could come as early as Wednesday.
Anyway, in terms of current news the basketball team had its annual banquet awards last night. UCLA Champions Made Here posted his impression from the events here. To no one’s surprise KL was named as our POY. Dohn posted the full list of last night’s award winners, which included the following two:
Senior center Lorenzo Mata-Real was given the UCLA Faculty Athletic Representative Award (Academic Achievement and Team Contribution). He averaged 3.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in his final collegiate campaign.
Junior forward/center Alfred Aboya was given the Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake Memorial Award for Competitive Spirit, Inspiration and Unselfish Contributions for the second straight year. Aboya, a second team Pac-10 Conference All-Academic selection, averaged 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in his third season with UCLA.
As UCLA Champions Made Here noted LMR received the loudest ovation of the night. I wish I was able to witness it in person. It would be very cool if someone posted a clip of it on the tubes. LMR will always be one of our all time favorite Ben Ball warriors. As for AA2, my fingers are crossed for LRMAM and AA2’s return to UCLA next season. Those two are the most crucial x-factors in my book for this off season in terms of watching who is going or staying.Junior forward/center Alfred Aboya was given the Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake Memorial Award for Competitive Spirit, Inspiration and Unselfish Contributions for the second straight year. Aboya, a second team Pac-10 Conference All-Academic selection, averaged 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in his third season with UCLA.
The guy who is definitely not coming: Taylor King. King decided to transfer to Villanova:
"This was not designed to be a circus or to be open to everyone," his father, Steve King, said. "Villanova was his top choice, and the trip was confirmation, not only for Taylor but for Villanova. Rather than go somewhere else, he thought, 'Why do that to the other coaches?'"
King, a 6-foot-6 sharp-shooting forward, averaged 5.5 points per game as a freshman at Duke but saw his playing time decrease as the season went along. UCLA had preliminary talks with King and his father last week, but Steve King said it never advanced beyond that.
"Not because there wasn't interest but because everything happened so fast," he said. "I suppose if he'd said no to Villanova, things might have progressed."
Despite what we have heard from the press, from what I have heard UCLA coaches were not really all that interested in this transfer scenario. I am sure they were cordial when King’s folks reached out to UCLA but from what I have heard it never went beyond that. That said, we wish King luck in Villanova and hope he has a productive college career.King, a 6-foot-6 sharp-shooting forward, averaged 5.5 points per game as a freshman at Duke but saw his playing time decrease as the season went along. UCLA had preliminary talks with King and his father last week, but Steve King said it never advanced beyond that.
"Not because there wasn't interest but because everything happened so fast," he said. "I suppose if he'd said no to Villanova, things might have progressed."
Lastly, Adam Yauch – yes that Adam from the Beastie – is coming out with a hoops documentary. Adam’s new documentary is titled Gunning for That No. 1 Spot. He is unveiling it at New York’s TriBeCa Film Festival. Why am I blogging about it on BN? Well of course Kevin Love is featured in it. Always wanted to put up a Beastie youtbe on BN. Whenever I hear this song, I can still picture Toby throwing down that reverse tomahawk:
And why would I post "Sure Shot"?
Well back in 1995 I remember couple of CBS Sports profile on UCLA basketball team leading into the tournament using that tune to sync with Bruin highlights featuring Ed O, Tyus, Charles, J.R., and of course TB.
Those were the days.
GO BRUINS.
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