THE HEART, THE SOUL, AND THE FIST: THANK YOU, AA.

From the diaries. A must read post. If you are a regular poster on BN or even a lurker, please consider taking the time to post in the comment thread and say thanks to AA. We are not sure if AA's jersey will get retired, but we will certainly retire the intials "AA" here on BN. AA will be reserved only for number 4. Consider that a mini tribute from this mini blue and gold corner in the internets. GO BRUINS. -N

If there's anything that I'll remember from the one-year-too-short UCLA career of Arron Augstin Afflalo, it'll be this:  

The Triple A battery, corralling a nearly-errant swing pass, curling left, and hitting the dagger mid-range pull-up against $C in their brand-spanking-new Galen Center... and pumping the fist.  THE FIST OF THE BRUINS.

You know the one.  We've seen it countless times before.

The hand carries out the always worked-on and tirelessly refined follow-through.

The arm relaxes as the eyes follow the shot to the bottom of the net.

The relaxed fingers summon a clenched fist.

The whole body transitions from grace to power, just as the body shifts gears from high-speed touring cruise control on offense to 4-wheel drive on defense.  

The face goes from a relaxed, tracking stare to the determined, focused scowl.

The shooting arm is then extended forward and slightly to the right, shoulder-level.  

The fist swoops down with wholly intimidating purpose, like some chiseled whack-a-mole hammer on an unsuspecting wooden rodent, and cocking back up again to the ready position, like a bolt getting pulled back on an old-fashioned rifle, and with the bicep of No. 4 reloaded for bear.

That's what I'll remember.  Not just for the $C game, but always.

It may have come after every made shot, and undoubtedly in varying degrees of intensity depending on the stakes of each particular shot, but I like to think it always epitomized what we loved best about Arron.

The form and the follow-through on the shot?  The product of AA's relentless work ethic, the fuel that drove him to BREAK INTO THE GYM to practice shots after after every loss.

The hammer-fist after the swish?  AA's competitive nature, willing his team to comebacks, victories, runs and routs, time and time again.

And the crook in the arm when he flexed after dropping the hammer?  If you wanted an example of what the toughness, what the hours in the weight-room, what the hard work work-ethic that BH demanded would eventually produce, then look at Arron.

2005:
All-Pac-10 Freshman Team
UCLA Outstanding Defensive Player
NCAA Tournament

2006:
Pac-10 Player of the Week
All Pac-10 First Team
All Pac-10 Tournament Team
All-NCAA Tournament Team, Oakland Region
Championship Game Participant

2007:
All Pac-10 First Team
Pac-10 Player of the Year  
AP First-Team All-American. NCAA West Region Most Outstanding Player.

Do we all want him to stay?  HELL YES.

Can I be mad at him for going?  I DON'T THINK SO.

"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?" says the old song.

I think the whole BruinsNation knows what we got.  And how truly lucky we were.

So, at the risk of missing something, I hope you'll allow me to say:

THANK YOU, ARRON.

For taking a chance on a new coach with old--school ways.

For being the first recruit to plant your feet, and take a stand, and sign on to kick some ass.

For successfully teaming with another blue-chipper in Jordan Farmar, and building a great young backcourt to start the rebuilding process.

For repeatedly being the first one in the gym to poractice.

For always being the first one to BREAK INTO the gym to practice.

For taking losses so personally, not to beat yourself up, but as a means to improve.

For doing the seemingly impossible and taking losses even more personally than folks on the Nation.

For using tears after losses as a way of refocusing your eyes on the prizes of winning.

For helping remind us that defense is not just a skill to discuss, but a weapon on the court.

For being one of many on our team to show show hitting the weight room DOES make a basketball player better.

For all the genuine improvement you worked so hard for and made in every off-season.

For the edge-of-our-seat game-winner over Alabama.

For the unforgettable honor and class you extended by lifting up Adam Morrison after our 2006 win over Gonzaga.

For lifting up the entire BruinsNation with that simple, yet compassionate gesture.

For the relentless defense and hustle you hurled against Memphis to get us back to the Final Four.

For the game-winning smackdown you administered to the far-too-precocious, upstart Trojans.

For delivering said smackdown right on their home floor.

For giving me the Trojan-mouth-agape desktop photo I've been using all season on my office computer.

For that sweet drive-and-kick to Josh Shipp to clsoe that first half against Indiana.

For all the clutch throws you gave us when your shots weren't falling and Indiana threatened us in the 2nd Round this year.

For even more clutch drives and throws against Pitt in the Sweet Sixteen.

For having the game we always hoped to see from you against Kansas.

For helping bring us to ANOTHER Final Four.

For not giving up and still racing to score against Florida, even when hope was lost.

For combining, in even just a small way, shades of past L.A. guards, like the character and attitude of a Derek Fisher, the competitiveness of a Kobe, and the versatility of Byron Scott into something uniquely your own.

For being the best shooting guard to wear No. 4 in the greater Los Angeles area in nearly 20 years.

For dating no one else this season other than a little orange basketball.

For being an extension of Coach Howland on the floor.

For being the unquestioned and unqeustionable LEADER of this Bruin Team.

For being a Bruin we are all grateful to have seen.

For being a Bruin we have all relied upon.

For being a Bruin we have all been inspired by, one way or another.

For being a Bruin we are all proud to call one of our own.

For being a Bruin.

FOR BEING THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE BRUINS.

And, when we needed it most, when we needed scoring punch, defensive strength, or sheer competitive greatness and flat-out toughness, FOR BEING THE FIST OF THE BRUINS, TOO.

THANK YOU, ARRON, FROM THE ENTIRE BRUINS NATION.

God speed, and God bless, AA.  Best of luck, best of health, and best of opportunities to you and all of your family and loved ones (especially dear old Dad).  You'll always be welcome here.

MIM