Thank You Kevin

by Nestor on Apr 17, 2008 6:25 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 32 comments

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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Kevin Love

a great player. A great Bruin. But he shouldn't be compared to Alcindor or Walton.

I know Love gave UCLA all he had but we should be careful about drafting one and done players in the future.

by True Blue and Gold on Apr 17, 2008 6:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Please give me a break

Are you saying a kid like Kevin Love wants to come to UCLA and we turn him down so he can go to UNC?

And I didn't compare Love to Jabbar or Walton in my post. So your remark is really off topic and you should take that in another thread.

I would love to have another player like KL in UCLA.

Again take that kind of ungrateful BS somewhere else. Don't bring it here.

by Nestor on Apr 17, 2008 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One & Done

How does True Blue's post denote "ungrateful BS"? Because his opinion is that Coach Howland should use caution when recruiting future one and dones (not gonna happen)? Because Love isn't Abdul Jabbar or Walton (which he's not)? The nature of college basketball today almost automatically assures that a star player, like Love, will be one and done. I don't like it, but it's reality and there's no way around it. If we don't scoop up the one and dones, UNC, Duke, and other top schools will. While Nestor didn't compare Love to Abdul Jabbar or Walton, Love said something about wanting to leave a legacy at UCLA like those 2 players did, so maybe that's the comparison True Blue was referring to. When Love has the breadth of college basketball experience and history that Abdul Jabbar and Walton had at UCLA, then I think a more accurate comparison is due. Until then, no way. Well, there's my opinion. :-)

by bruininthelbc on Apr 17, 2008 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ungrateful BS

We put up a post specifically denoting our appreciation for KL, in which we also said people can have their debate on KL's place in Bruin lore (and that discussion is going elsewhere in the diaries).

Yet in the first comment tbg tried to hijack the thread by going to that topic. That is ungrateful BS.

No one is preventing tbg from discussing the topic he brought up. But not in this thread. He can have it somewhere else.

by Nestor on Apr 18, 2008 4:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's Simple:

Start a diary with that type of commentary....this is a "Thank You" to Kevin for the remarkable year he's given us.

You don't go to somebody's wedding reception, stuff your face full of cake, and then spend all your time telling anyone who will listen all of the reasons the couple never should have gotten together in the first place and how great the groom's old girlfriend is.

Good grief.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 18, 2008 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He never asked for those comparisons

Those labels are media fueled, and Kevin should feel no obligation to live up to others expectations. He's not Alcindor or Walton. He's Kevin Love, and I'm fine with that and I will enjoy watching him in the league next year. I will enjoy hearing color commentators talk about the fine program he came from when he's in the game and what a fantastic job Ben Howland is doing/has done in Westwood. KLove may not be able to directly help our program anymore, but guys like Farmar, Afflalo, Hollins, Love, BDiddy, and everyone else have long lasting effects on our program no matter where they are. I watched many Laker games this year, and Farmar in the game is often the intro for a UCLA plug both on local and national TV. These things matter.

by Tydides on Apr 17, 2008 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but...

He did kind of compare himself to Alcindor/Walton on his own today in his press conference. So its not all media fueled. I think he really would like those comparisons and isnt afraid of them. He knows that he possesses the abilities to be on that kind of level, which is top shelf indeed. KL likely could be as great a Bruin as they were had he played three years like them. And the reality is that LA/BW also would declare for the NBA draft after one year if the situation was then, what it is now, rulewise and financially. I agree with Nestor et al.. who say that knowing he was one and done, they were still happy to have him in the program. Imagine KL in another Pac 10 uniform. God forbid. Kl was/is a great Bruin. I thank him for the past season, as he did make a huge difference. It was a true pleasure watching his game. I hope he is a great NBA player. And we all will have a similar discussion, hopefully, in two years after Mr. Sydney declares after his one great year at UCLA.

by popopapa on Apr 17, 2008 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You said it

Does anyone expect that a player of the talent of Alcindor or Walton would have been anything but one and done today? Anyone who thinks they would have stuck around has a right to criticize KLove...and should also search for mental help.

by Tydides on Apr 17, 2008 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's better to have had....

Love and lost than have never had Love at all. We will miss you K Love! Thank you!

by uclafan11 on Apr 17, 2008 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ooooh - nice one.

I wish I had said that. Such an obvious one, too, and I never even saw it. Good job, UCLAfan11.

by Fox 71 on Apr 18, 2008 4:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you!

Every now and then my brain comes up with one. GO BRUINS!!!

by uclafan11 on Apr 18, 2008 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Kevin

Anyone who doesn't understand the nature of sports today will never get it.

Imagine you were guaranteed millions of dollars to pursue your dream, yet you had to leave college behind but could still work towards your degree in some capacity?

Don't tell me any of you would turn that down.

Thanks so much Kevin. This has been the most fun I have had watching UCLA basketball (and that is saying a lot). I hope you have a long, fruitful, and successful career in the NBA, throwing that outlet and wowing NBA audiences. But never forget UCLA because we'll never forget you.

by SmrtGuy82 on Apr 17, 2008 6:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ah so that's what people were talking about

by True Blue and Gold on Apr 17, 2008 6:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One classy guy...

Even though I am sitting here with tears in my eyes, I grin at this....

"I'm looking to leave a legacy at UCLA," he said.
Love's father sat looking considerably shaggier than his short-haired, suit-and-tied son.
"I'm trying to get this guy to dress better," Kevin Love said.

"It's his coat," Stan Love replied.

Thanks again Kevin for bringing us nothing but pride and joy. Good luck.

by LSUCLA on Apr 17, 2008 7:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

RW gone also

Says he's going if he feels a top-20 pick. I maintain my opinion that RW will be the highest Bruin drafted, so he's gone. If both go (and they are), DC is going also. Damn.

by jjreicher on Apr 17, 2008 7:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We'll finally find out

How important is a jumpshot to NBA scouts?

If Mark Heisler's right, Westbrook will come back. If the internet "experts" are right, he won't.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 17, 2008 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As an internet expert myself,

I would guess that if Westbrook's shot has good mechanics and the scouts think it's just a matter of tossing a few thousand, he will get drafted.

However, if his shots not only don't go in, but also don't look so good, then he'll be back because they don't want to pay him for a year without solid production.

by dokein on Apr 17, 2008 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

farmar had no great shooting touch

but i'll tell you, he has it now. RW's got that "NBA body." And if he can make even half the improvement next year that he made this year...well I'll just say I wouldn't be surprised to see him pretty highly valued. I'm a Lakers fan myself, but does anyone else wanna see RW working with Baron and the Warriors?

by jjreicher on Apr 18, 2008 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good luck KL! It was fun watching the games!

From the Yale game on Thanksgiving to the end of the Pac-10 season with Cal to the Pac-10 Tournament at Staples and to the NCAA Tournament in Anaheim, it was a lot of fun going to the games and watching KL play as a team player and racking up the double-doubles. Good luck to you and thanks for the excitement you brought to us students, alumni, and fans.

But... don't you really, really want to win an NCAA National Championship? :-)

by mark the bruin on Apr 17, 2008 7:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Love...

is a class act. I hope he (and whoever else goes) gets drafted high and represents the program well in the Association.

by bruindodger on Apr 17, 2008 8:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love this board

and would like to see the freedom to post without getting slammed for their opinion. Taking BS somewhere else implies there is no tolerance for a differing opinion. I'm not happy with every post, but it can create good discussions.

I don't agree UCLA should ignore one and done players. Many bruins fans knew this day was coming, but it's still very frustrating. We all want the next banner and it is so hard when kids leave early. They have every right to do so and there are excellent points about guaranteed money and achieveing the dreams of playing in the NBA.

Kevin Love is a great kid as is Westbrook and the others. I wish them nothing but the best. It's just hard to accept knowing they could come back and hopefully get to the next step. Kevin did compare himself in a way to Kareem and Walton, but I think I understand what he was trying to say. I wish we could have him for three or four years and add one or more banners. Howland will continue to get the best talent he can and work his system. His job like so many college coaches is that much harder given early departures. Is it going to be a perputal issue where we keep saying, "if so an so had only come back for one more year". CBH can get us to the top, it's just that much harder now.

What is the situation with Luc? He plans on delaying accouncement until tomorrow?

by Bruins095 on Apr 17, 2008 8:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Appreciation Post goes up

First comment is about how he shouldn't be compared to Walton or Kareem despite the lack of said comparison in the post itself. Slamming of ungrateful and irrelevant comment stands. Why should people be free to post without the possibility of their opinion being "slammed"? That's what keeps people honest. If someone's take is uninformed, unintelligent, ungrateful, or irrelevant I would be disappointed if such a post was not panned.

by Tydides on Apr 17, 2008 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice spelling

typing too fast. Any other news on Aboya and his situation? I keep wondering what the team will look like next season.

by Bruins095 on Apr 17, 2008 8:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm against whatever rule allows one and done

but that rule exists and doesn't appear to be in the process of being changed. If we're going to get one and done (or two and done) players, I don't think we can ask for better guys than Coach Howland has come up with for us.

I can now confess. I assumed that most of the publicity about Love was just MSM hype, but boy did he prove that assumption wrong. He's the real deal. I have probably watched him for the last time (I find pro basketball boring to the extreme), and I'll miss those remarkable passes. Just about any agile big guy can do what he does under the basket, but I haven't seen anyone (including Unseld and Walton) who could make those long passes like he does. Question: Did he ever make one of those passes which was off the mark? Again, lots of guys can throw long passes, but I've never seen anyone do it as accurately.

I wish him good luck, but, alas, none of my money is likely to find its way into NBA coffers to pay him anything.

by Fox 71 on Apr 17, 2008 8:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm 25

Obviously too young to have been alive when Coach Wooden was coaching and Kareem and Walton played.

Watching Love go to work was amazing. Fouling out the Lopi brothers in Stanford. That amazing performance in Oregon. The double clutch 3 against Cal. And of course that amazing performance against Texas A&M. The blocks. The fade aways. Winning MOP of the Phoenix region. I wish he could have fun a championship to cement his legacy (obviously for a whole host of other reasons too).

But definitely my favorite Kevin Love memory was against TAMU. Block shot. A&M gets the ball back. Block shot. And then he grabs the ball. Is fouled. Runs to midcourt, screams and gets that crowd pumped up. You better believe I was screaming with him, in a hotel room in the middle of Northern California.

Great, now I'm watching all of Tele's highlights from that game. Kevin is beyond his years, I can't believe a freshman did all of that.

by Raisin on Apr 17, 2008 9:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh

I mentioned all those great memories I will have of Love and there is one I forgot to mention: Every single last outlet pass he made. I've never seen anything like that, what a thing of beauty that was.

by Raisin on Apr 17, 2008 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coach Howland

I hope that the legacy which KL leaves is that coming to UCLA as a potential lottery pick makes sense.

There are always going to be punks like OJ2 who are into the "it's all about me" style of play. There are others, like KL, who have the high profile potential, but need to refine their talents.

Remember that KL sat down the stretch in an early game, because he couldn't play D like LMR. Compare that to his games at the end of the season.

Coach Howland was certainly instrumental to KL's development this season. Hopefully, other players in the same situation will see the benefit to playing under his tutelage.

We should skip the players with the entourage, and the "I'll call you, you don't call me" nonsense. We can trust Coach Howland to keep this riff-raff out of our program.

But for the true talents who have a team attitude, I hope that KL's experience will be a sign of things to come.

by islandbruin on Apr 17, 2008 10:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I'll remember Love for his passing most

Thats the first player since I've been alive that I've seen use the outlet as scoring weapon in the way kevin did. I'll tell my kids about the way he zipped those chest passes full court, and give my little spiel on how Stan had him doing finger push ups as a kid.

While KL could have almost certainly left his mark on the program with a banner, had he stayed a couple more years, I think his skill, fundamentals, and toughness will remain legendary in bruin folklore.

O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 17, 2008 10:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you

KL...It was a joy to watch you this year.... I wish you the best in the NBA and your always going to be welcome back anytime...

The way college basketball is going now, it is the norm to see this in the top programs. We are a top program so this shouldn't be a shock to anyone.

With that, it is not rebuilding time, it is reloading time!!!

GO BRUINS

by jseago on Apr 17, 2008 11:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Easier to say goodbye to Love than imagined..

Validity of comparisons to past Bruins and the raging debate over recruiting obvious one-and-done prospects aside, it is not as hard to say goodbye to Kevin Love as I thought it would be after hearing (er, reading) his parting words at the press conference.

He is a genuinely nice young man and very respectful of his situation. Whether he went to UNC or UCLA or wherever, he will always be a success because of the appreciation he feels for those in his life. As Nestor implies, Kevin could have come to UCLA and "phoned it in". Instead, he became a team player and a star in the firmament of UCLA basketball -- not long in duration but perhaps one of the more brilliant points of light.

Sadly, if the NBA were to get many more like Kevin Love, they would be a lot more interesting to watch than they are now.

But his graceful parting comments eased the sadness of his departure -- for me, at least -- quite a bit.

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Apr 18, 2008 7:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He should be compared

In this day and age, with so much money available to NBA players, a player such as K-Love absolutely has to take his game to the NBA...period. He should be compared to Walton and Alcindor, because if they grew up in todays era, they would have either never played at UCLA or have been a one and done player as well.

Just imagine if the rules were different and K-Love had to play 4 years. The numbers he would put up would be ridiculous...and we would definitely have another championship (or two/three) to erect at Pauley. Enjoy the season we had, because every minute of it was phenomenal.

Good luck K-Love. As far as Westbrook, he too has to go if he's a top 20 player. He had the freedom to play basically as a free safety and show his skills in the open floor, because of playing with a great team. Next year, opponents would be able to focus more on him, thus his stock may drop...so he has to go as well, take care of himself and good luck to you Russell...we enjoyed the run (and of course the poster dunks)!!!

BroundogLB

by broundog on Apr 18, 2008 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kevin,

Thanks for the incredible memories, the excitment, and the enormous pride you generated for me by playing your heart out for my beloved Bruins.

Thanks for your hard work, your "team first" approach, your delightful sense of humor, and your true dedication to this school, this team, and this game.

Thanks for being so classy, even in the face of the worst, most disgusting conduct, and thanks for being so respectful and appreciative of our history and of Coach John Wooden--and everything he teaches.

Thanks for a great year, it was a lot of fun. It will be fun, too, to remind everyone who watches you blow the top off the NBA that you were--and always will be--a Bruin.

Thanks, kid.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 18, 2008 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs