While Bill Dwyre of the LA Times is missing out on the big picture Steve Bischeff of the OC Register shows how it's done. He writes up what is probably the best column to date on what Love's committment means to UCLA basketball:
Most news outlets played it as if it were just another announcement of another well- regarded basketball recruit coming to UCLA.
But when 6-foot-10 Kevin Love of Lake Oswego, Ore., committed to the Bruins the other day, it was a little more important than that.
It was the program's biggest recruiting coup since Bill Walton.
Ben Howland became the first Bruins coach since John Wooden retired in 1975 to land a high school player rated the No.1 big man, and one of the top two prospects at any position, in America.
When Jim Harrick recruited Ed O'Bannon in 1991, the gifted forward was regarded among the top 10 players, but not one of the elite one or two.
Same thing with Jordan Farmar, when Howland lured him to UCLA three years ago.
Love, who will be a high school senior this season, is on a whole other level. He is Walton-esque, both in reputation and, by most accounts, skill- wise. [...]
[T]his is the recruit who should put the Bruins permanently back in the national title picture.
Howland's remarkable coaching job, directing his team not only to the Final Four but to the national championship game this past season, was a nice start. But he did it with two star recruits from Southern California, Farmar and Arron Afflalo, and an assortment of other young players who weren't widely heralded.
Now that changes. Now UCLA could become the national force it was under Wooden after he landed Lew Alcindor and, later, Walton.
Now the Bruins can go out after the same young players as Duke, North Carolina and Connecticut and be confident they will be considered.
My only quibble Connecticut doesn't belong in the same line with UCLA (UNC may be). Otherwise a perfect read for a slow hot Sunday afternoon in July.But when 6-foot-10 Kevin Love of Lake Oswego, Ore., committed to the Bruins the other day, it was a little more important than that.
It was the program's biggest recruiting coup since Bill Walton.
Ben Howland became the first Bruins coach since John Wooden retired in 1975 to land a high school player rated the No.1 big man, and one of the top two prospects at any position, in America.
When Jim Harrick recruited Ed O'Bannon in 1991, the gifted forward was regarded among the top 10 players, but not one of the elite one or two.
Same thing with Jordan Farmar, when Howland lured him to UCLA three years ago.
Love, who will be a high school senior this season, is on a whole other level. He is Walton-esque, both in reputation and, by most accounts, skill- wise. [...]
[T]his is the recruit who should put the Bruins permanently back in the national title picture.
Howland's remarkable coaching job, directing his team not only to the Final Four but to the national championship game this past season, was a nice start. But he did it with two star recruits from Southern California, Farmar and Arron Afflalo, and an assortment of other young players who weren't widely heralded.
Now that changes. Now UCLA could become the national force it was under Wooden after he landed Lew Alcindor and, later, Walton.
Now the Bruins can go out after the same young players as Duke, North Carolina and Connecticut and be confident they will be considered.
Make sure to read the entire article.
GO BRUINS.