Celebrating "The Roofer"

by Nestor on Mar 30, 2008 7:18 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 45 comments

Update [2008-3-30 23:56:41 by Telemachus]: Post updated with link the the last basket by Desire Gabou

I have been thinking all day on whether or not to take apart Plaschke's second consecutive garbage column (sorry will not provide any link) in today's LA Times. I was thinking whether I should spend some time in shredding his drivel line by line like we have done on number of occasions here on BN. Then it hit me. Why bother giving a loser like Plaschke the satisfaction of responding on the home page given the fact the guy has nothing to do with UCLA. He has absolutely no standing to offer an opinion as a representative of the greater UCLA community.

He didn't graduate from our alma mater. He doesn't follow our basketball program on a day-to-day basis. I don't believe he goes to most of our games. I don't believe he has season tickets. He certainly doesn't write about our team on a regular basis. So exactly WTF he is to set expectations on what will it take to consider Coach Howland's 5th season as a successful one at UCLA? (hint we are going to be happy with the final outcome of 2007-8 no matter what happens in San Antonio).

So forget village idiots like Plaschke and let's zero in what we have in Bruins Nation. And for that if you haven't done it yet read this article from Jason King in Yahoo Sports. Jason went against the conventional wisdom in today's MSM and exposed the 'most despised team in America':

He could've humiliated him.

If Kevin Love was the ogre that many believe, UCLA's 260-pound forward would've swatted Desire Gabou's layup attempt into the rafters as time expired in the Bruins' 88-78 victory over Western Kentucky on Thursday.

And then he would've pounded his chest.

Love, though, did neither.

Instead, the future NBA forward stepped aside as Gabou drove into the lane seconds after being inserted in the final minute. When the mop-up player released his shot, Love didn't even jump.

"Really?" said Love, when told that Gabou hadn't scored a basket all season. "Good for him. I could've blocked it, but we were up. We were going to win.

"For all I knew the kid could've been a senior. It could've been the last game he ever played. So I figured I'd just let him score a layup in the NCAA tournament."

Gabou said the moment is one he'll always remember.

"I don't know much about Kevin Love," he said, "but I thought that was a pretty nice gesture."

Really, folks. This is the most despised team in America? This is the team that everyone suddenly loves to loathe?

Honestly, why all the hate for UCLA?

The Bruins play a team-oriented, unselfish brand of basketball that relies on strong defense. They make good grades, avoid trouble off the court and exhibit good sportsmanship on it.

Desire Gabou scores the last basket for Western Kentucky

Yeap. Read the whole article full of common sense here. My only nitpick with that article was that I don't think we can ever imply UCLA as the "New Duke." If anything Duke became the "new UCLA" back in the 80s and 90s when our program was just drifting through. All we are going through now is that UCLA simply re-emerging as "UCLA." And no matter what happens in San Antonio nothing will change that dynamic because under Coach Howland we are going to keep coming back for more year after year in Westwood.

Speaking of Coach Howland, Jason wasn't done. After last night's game when village idiots like Plaschke was spewing garbage without any sense of perspective, once again Jason offered up to his readers what we have known for a while here on BN: after all these years we have the right guy in charge of Coach Wooden's program:

Saturday's 76-57 victory over Xavier propelled UCLA into the Final Four for the third straight season and, more importantly, continued a run of success that the Bruins haven't enjoyed since the days of John Wooden.

"I'm happy for my players," Howland said. "This is all about them."

Not exactly, coach.

All-American forward Kevin Love is one of the top players in college basketball, and UCLA touts a pair of NBA guards in Russell Westbrook and Darren Collison. But the Bruins always have attracted high-caliber players.

For 28 years, though, they never could find a coach quite like Howland.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times," Collison said. "Obviously, coaching has something to do with it."

It's not as if folks in Westwood are comparing Howland to Wooden. Considering Wooden won 10 NCAA titles from 1964 to 1975, they probably never will.

Still, in this age of parity - and with so many players leaving school early for the NBA - what Howland has accomplished is a remarkable feat. [...]

Even if it doesn't happen for the Bruins this spring, UCLA fans have to appreciate the stability Howland has brought back to the program.

Again read the whole article here.

Seriously there are so many wonderful things to celebrate, cherish, and discuss here on BN. We have little less than 6 days to get ready for a huge game. We know our boys are going to come out prepared and ready for a great Memphis team. So considering all of that there is no need to get all worked up over constant negativity come from the local chicken little like Bill Plaschke.

BTW it appears godblesstyus95 might have come up with the perfect nick name for Coach Howland: "the roofer"?

Photo Credit:AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill (via ESPN)

Hmmmm. The Roofer? I kind of like it.

What do you all think?

GO BRUINS.

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do you have the link?

to that last layup attempt that Love allowed? I would love to see that.

by cyberdbk on Mar 30, 2008 7:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's the link

and Nestor's post has been updated.

previously known as Grok451

by Telemachus on Mar 30, 2008 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a bone to pick with Jason King

Sure, I know. The title and the "tease" are designed to get clicks. It's the internet version of "Film at 11."

But he implied that UCLA is the most despised team in the country, and I don't think that's so. He could have phrased his headline any way he wanted, to suggest the opposite, that UCLA was not the most despised team in the country but he (or his editor) didn't.

There was no nead to drop that little napalm pellet into the story. Nestor, if any of us did that in a headline in the BN, we would rightfully be called out assuming we were not banned. It was a cheap shot, in my opinion, done gratuituously simply because he could do it.

by Fox 71 on Mar 30, 2008 7:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Have to disagree here Fox

I am fine with the title of that article given the content. And I really don't believe he had some kind mischievous intent w that title. Also given his subsequent articles from covering our team, its pretty clear to me the kid gets it. He is all right in my book.

by Nestor on Mar 30, 2008 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to think it wasn't King

I have read a lot of his stuff for the past couple of years, and I think he's a pretty decent reporter and writer. That's why I was so surprised (and a little disappointed) at the article title. (Not the article - just the title and the tease.) Something like "They will never be the most despised team" would have been a more accurate lead.

I e-mailed him, and asked him that very question. I haven't got a response.

by Fox 71 on Mar 30, 2008 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't it the editors?

I think the discussion of articles vs. content has occurred here before and someone with experience chimed in saying Editors make the decision on what headline to put; trying to find the one to generate most revenue.

Dohn has also stated the same thing a while back.

by kidro2001 on Mar 30, 2008 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing wrong

I don't know if the Bruin bashing by the media has got you on edge but I think it is fine. I actually think that he is on point. The Bruins are being hated on by other fans & media because of the Furd, Cal & A&M games. I don't think the heat is warranted but I welcome it. The hate just means that our boys are winning and the others can't stand it. Duke is enemy #1 but they've been mediocre for a few years so I think they just needed to find somebody else to hate on. Afterall, we are the ones with 11 NC's, 18 FF appearances and 3 consecutive FF appearances under Howland.

I see this hate as envy because they wish they'd be talking about their team come this upcoming weekend. Also, NOBODY wants to see us nor the defense that is going to be brought to San Antonio by our BenBall Warriors. Deep down, they respect and fear UCLA.

by BlueReign on Mar 30, 2008 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roofer?

Not a fan. It takes too much of an explanation.

by Fox 71 on Mar 30, 2008 7:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Roofer

Coach John Wooden was called the Wizard of Westwood, I think CBH could use something more clever than roofer. Don't even start it.

by cyberdbk on Mar 30, 2008 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Roofer

I like the nickname. Not only does it sound blue-collar, which is perfect for Coach Howland, but I like the fact that it has to be explained, something to be explained to incoming freshman, kind of like how Bunche Hall was rotating, who's buried under Janss Steps, etc.

by dykstra7 on Mar 30, 2008 7:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of having to "explain"

I really like how the Gold "C" has worked out this year. You wouldn't believe the number of folks have googling "Why is the "C" Gold In UCLA's Jersey" and ending up on BN.

by Nestor on Mar 30, 2008 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone taken credit for UC+1LA?

Because I'll claim it now in case we get there this year.

by SpaceMonkey on Mar 30, 2008 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going tp go with

100 and ONE! esp if its in basketball. U "CI" LA doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

by UCLAMD89 on Mar 30, 2008 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any math majors here?

How long will it take for the gold "C" to be just for basketball championships?

by Fox 71 on Mar 31, 2008 5:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bill Plaschke

He's not a good writer period and flip-flops all the time because he's too darn lazy to do any real research. The guy should just stick to his maudlin feel-good stories of some down-on-their-luck athletes. That's all Pucin ever did before getting the UCLA gig and she wasn't very good at it (then again, she's not very good at covering UCLA as well). So far the only quality veteran writer on staff is still Helene Elliott, and they screwed her by taking away the LA Kings beat. What a terrible sports paper the LA Times is.

by UCLA4Life on Mar 30, 2008 7:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought Bill Plaschke's article was okay...

I mean if you read it, he's not really saying anything bad about the program or the Bruins....he's just expressing frustration of a certain section of Bruin fans (who may or may not be UCLA alums)....and it seems that he wants them to play dominant and win....which is what we all want too. I for one am happy that UCLA made it to the final four....imagine how much hate we would have gotten if we lost to Xavier....or won closely.....now is the time to play exceptional basketball for two games in a row and hang number 12 in Pauley.....(actually this is where I disagree from Bill that even if we don't get it this year, I'm 100% sure we'll be back in the final fours next year and possibly win it)

by brewinn04 on Mar 31, 2008 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disappointment

I would be disappointed if we don't win it all this year, but I think that has to be distinguished from being disappointed in our players. They've done great, no doubt. But if they don't win it all this year, I'll feel bad for LMR, KL, DC, and maybe RW, the guys who won't get another shot. And I also know that the championship window might close for a little while, given that next year we'll probably lose three starters and have a freshman point guard for the first time since 2005.

by dykstra7 on Mar 30, 2008 7:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Roofer?

thats a NO go.

by uclaov1 on Mar 30, 2008 7:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How about...

The Savior from Santa Barbara (kinda cheesy I know)

The Defensive Dynamo

The Architect (connotes that he has a master plan to re-build the dynasty)

The Harbinger of Hope

by FUSC on Mar 30, 2008 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ix-nay on Oofer-ray

by charnaw on Mar 30, 2008 8:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Plaschke = village idiot

I saw the article yesterday. I saw that it said "UCLA" in the title, and 99% of the time when I see an article with UCLA as the topic, despite the source, I'll read it. The only writing he's capable of is putting together furniture assembly guides for Ikea. And I don't think he'd do a good job of that either.

I couldn't bring myself to read past the headline. Sorry N and all other bruin fans that you had to read that drivel. I had a kid come by my front door the other day trying to sell paper subscriptions to the LA Times for a scholarship, and I declined because I refused to give one penny to that fishwrap. And hearing about crap like this makes me even more happy with my decision. I just donated a few bucks directly to the kid.

I can't begin to describe how proud I am of this team, and no idiot in the MSM can take that away from me, or anyone else that loves these Bruins.

by sfatoo on Mar 30, 2008 8:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw today's article

as I was eating breakfast. I just couldn't stomach anymore of it. I saw "Bill Plaschke" and I think I saw "failure" somewhere in there and I nearly wanted to throw my paper back out on the doorstep.

by freesia39 on Mar 30, 2008 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You too?

Do you live in Orange County? This girl came to our house and was relentless! I told her to go back to them and tell them their coverage of UCLA sports sucked. I told her I call it the Trojan Times.

by tasser10 on Apr 2, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

jason king is an awesome, awesome writer...

he was the ku beat reporter for a long time at the KC star, i was really sad to see him go.

he is one of the better guys out there, IMO.

he is right too...

by rockchalktalk on Mar 30, 2008 9:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The guy who scored the lay-up name is Desire?

Gotta add him with Robin, Brook & Courtney to the all "dudes with names that sound like hot sorority girls" team for sure.

by Free the 16 on Mar 30, 2008 9:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Purple prose

What about Xavier's Drew Lavender?

by Joe Bruin on Mar 31, 2008 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Love stayed ...

I mean, he's too good to stay, but he doesn't need the money, right? That would really cement recruiting and we could be a dynasty again.

by dokein on Mar 30, 2008 9:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sidenote

It's his right to the NBA contract, and he has already done so much for this school. I am not trying to say that he is valuing money over UCLA, just being wistful.

by dokein on Mar 30, 2008 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been calling CBH "The Watchdog...

... of Westwood."

Face it -- he is guarding the legacy, barking from the sidelines, and keeping everyone in line.

Yep, the Watchdog.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Mar 30, 2008 9:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Class

Nestor, I'm glad you brought up that Love article, because it's easy to overlook what else Howland has brought to this team (besides all the WINNING): and that's class.

We 1st saw it in that Sweet 16 Gonzaga game 2 years ago. I'll never forget that photo of AA picking up a teary-eyed Adam Morrison at the end of that game. Morrison then made a point of mentioning how classy AA and the rest of the Bruins were in the post game interview.

Just another reason to be proud of this team and proud of this coach.

People can "hate" us because of all the success we've had. But no one can dislike us for the way we play and our sportsmanship.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Mar 30, 2008 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

UCLA Athletics- Hats Off to Dan Guerrero

The AD is clearly making many right moves in terms of his hires and setting the tone for our athletics programs.

This weekend- return trip to final 4, win 2 out of 3 on the road against top-10 baseball opponent, beat #3 team in men's volleyball on the road, swept first weekend of Pac-10 softball, beat #4 team in women's water polo.

It is easy to be a Bruin fan these days. Thanks to DG for bringing in the people to get the job done.

Go Bruins !!

by islandbruin on Mar 30, 2008 9:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to burst your bubble

but the roofer idea came from ESPN first

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=3320052&sportCa t=ncb

by LYC on Mar 30, 2008 10:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

uhm

Yeah I know. Did you actually follow the link?

by Nestor on Mar 31, 2008 4:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about:

The Lord of Lockdown?

by lolwtferic on Mar 30, 2008 10:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Memphis fans have a score to settle with UCLA

http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=291292

by bruindodger on Mar 30, 2008 10:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't like "The Roofer,"

because it emphasizes the winning, as though that were all he/we cared about. It'd be like calling him "Trophy Man" or "Cut Down The Nets Man" or something. Making a permanent nickname out of a throwaway line would be like making a feature-length movie out of a knock-knock joke.

If Coach Howland has to have a nickname, the name ought to reflect traits such as hard work, mental toughness, defense, integrity, character, ...

The name ought not to reflect the rewards that, if you're fortunate, sometimes come from all the preceding.

by Bruinut on Mar 30, 2008 10:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love that someone recognizes

"The Bruins play a team-oriented, unselfish brand of basketball that relies on strong defense. They make good grades, avoid trouble off the court and exhibit good sportsmanship on it."

This is why I believe we wont be the most despised team in the country, because we're doing it the right way. With success comes jealousy, and to the average fan we may be viewed as the yankees, but I think enough people out there will realize thats its hard to knock on program and a coach that really do things the way they're supposed to be done.

I can live with people hating us, as long as I know its not because we've given them any reason to.

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 30, 2008 10:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Opening line for Saturday

According to Parrish's latest entry @ CBS Sportsline, we are currently 1 point underdogs to Memphis.

by bruinhoo on Mar 30, 2008 11:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bet the under

by UCLAMD89 on Mar 30, 2008 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nickname for Coach Howland

Hi guys and gals. I decided to sign up for an account because I thought of an interesting nickname for Coach Howland. Some may not like it and some may.

"The Warden of Westwood".....

Now I know warden doesn't get the respect and majesty of "Wizard" but looking at the definition, I think the good coach is a lot like a warden.

WARDEN
noun
a person responsible for the supervision of a particular place or thing or for ensuring that regulations associated with it are obeyed :
* the head official in charge of a prison.
--- think of our ben ball warriors as guards protecting their turf and opponents as inmates trying to scale the walls. not all prisons are escape proof but with the best guards in the land, not many will escape victoriously!

a churchwarden.
Brit. the head of certain schools, colleges, or other institutions.

DERIVATIVES
wardenship |-ˌ sh ip| |ˈwɔrdnˈʃɪp| noun
ORIGIN Middle English (originally denoting a guardian or protector): from Anglo-Norman French and Old Northern French wardein, variant of Old French guarden `guardian.'

by kmanos55 on Mar 30, 2008 11:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I prefer "Watchdog"...

... only because I don't like the warden/ prison imagery. If that applies to any school, it's $C.

A watchdog stands guard on your perimeter, barks loudly at any approaching threat, and sinks its teeth in it when it crosses a line. Look at CBH on the sidelines during a game, and you KNOW that's our guy.

The Watchdog of Westwood.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Mar 31, 2008 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thats actually pretty cool

but here are my two problems..first of all the roofer, although cool, sounds a bit like a WWF wrestler. I imagine the Roofer dropping his signature move the "Shattering Shingle" on macho man randy savage..

As for the Warden or Watchdog of westwood, although very cool, I think the "of Westwood" suffix should be reserved for "The Wizard". In time, I believe his nickname will come to us.

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 31, 2008 12:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs