Bruin Bites: Kevin Love to the Lakers (?), LaVine Draft Update & Other UCLA Basketball Notes

Zach LaVine was the star of the NBA Draft Combine re-energizing his stock heading into the Draft on June 26.  Meanwhile, the NBA playoffs are into their semifinal round, and our own Russell Westbrook and his Oklahoma City Thunder play the San Antonio Spurs.

• The Thunder won the series with the Clippers 4-2 after an epic meltdown by the Clippers in Game 5 - they were up 104-97 with 49 seconds left.  I was actually starting to get behind the Clippers, with former Bruins Matt Barnes, Darren Collison and Ryan Hollins, while the Lakers flail around and college ball is on summer hiatus (especially our coaching staff).  I wish the best for Russ, but I can't get behind the sleazy ownership of the Thunder.  Late update.  Grantland did an exhaustive article on Westbrook.  "His intensity makes him erratic and dangerous on the court."
• Last week, I reported, smh,  that Ben Howland withdrew his name from consideration for the Oregon State head coaching position.  The latest report suggests that Ben's asking price was too high.  OSU isn't going to support basketball like the big boys, so it looks like Ben walked away.  OSU hired this low excitement guy.
• Kevin Love is also in the news.  He's a free agent after next season, and there's a long line waiting to sign him up.  He's rumored to prefer the Lakers and the Knicks.
• In Chad Ford's post NBA Draft Combine mock draft (for those of you who are ESPN Insiders), Zach LaVine goes at #12, Kyle Anderson at #28, and Jordan Adams at #45.  I'm particularly surprised at his position for Jordan.  In the aftermath, I guess Jordan's true height measurement of 6'3 1/2' and vertical leap of only 29.5" trumps a great shooting effort.
• Our guard situation for next season looks tenuous with Jordan leaving.  JustSC picked up Elijah Stewart, and we appear to be standing pat --intentional or not.  Seemingly the last target still on the table is Daniel House, ranked #31 by Scout two years ago. He's a transfer from Houston who will likely have to sit out a year.  This doesn't solve a dire short-term need.
  
• If you are not already sick of Donald Sterling, then read about his treatment of Marques Johnson and Bill Walton.
  

That's all for now folks. If there are other UCLA basketball related notes I missed, share in the comment thread.
Go Bruins.