Answers, Part III
Here is the third set:
Many times I've disagreed with your posts, but log on everyday just the same. If I ever get to a point where I don’t enjoy reading what you have to say, I will move on to another site. I think you put an enormous amount of time and effort with keeping Bruin fans updated and informed. I myself like a little controversy and interaction rather than the same old stuff. How much does this discouraged you?
The thing that bothers me is when people twist words, or take what I write and put it in the wrong context. Just this weekend I wrote that I don’t care if UCLA wins or loses, and that was turned into that I do not like my job, and how can I do a job I have no passion for doing.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. I love my job – I meet tons of fabulously interesting people, spend many days watching football practice or basketball or football games, travel around the country and write. It’s everything I love. Of course, all is not rosy, like the 16 hour days during the coaching search and missing my son’s birthday because I am on the road, but overall, the good far outweighs the bad.
But because I am able to keep from having an emotional attachment, it is insinuated that I lack passion or zest for my job. If I lacked those types of things, my bosses wouldn’t tolerate it, I wouldn’t by posting blog information 10 times a day, talking on the phone to people all the time and ect. …
It's interesting that when folks don't agree with you, many times they believe it is personal.
In short, when I no longer enjoy my job, I will change it.
Yes, this is a bit of rant, but that can be discouraging.
How long can you see yourself hanging on doing this?
As long as I still have fun, and believe me, I’m having fun.
Assuming that the Bruins return everyone with the exception of Collison and Love, do you see them winning another 30 games next season?
I do not. I was talking about that with a source of mine from UCLA the other day, and the feeling was UCLA could still win the Pac-10 because of who other teams will lose, because of a talented recruiting class coming in, and because Howland is still the best coach in the league. However, getting to 30 wins, unless it includes four or five in the NCAA Tournament, will be a challenge.
I asked you this before, but didn't get an answer, and the A&M game is a glaring example....do you know why Collison doesn't drive more? Why wait until the last mins of game for that productive part of his game (score or assist)? And why doesn't Russ drive more, too? His terrific drive and dish to KLove for a 3pt play early in the game was nowhere to be found after that. Do you know why??
I thought I answered it. Sorry. Jordan Farmar was a master at using the high screen to turn the corner and shoot the 3-pointer, or to drive to the basket when he could split the double team. Collison isn’t as adept at splitting the screen, although lately he has been better.
As for Westbrook, he is still learning about his offensive game. He is much, much better in the open court, and because Collison is the point guard, Westbrook doesn’t have the opportunity to drive as much.
What's your take on the Western Kentucky team and the match up with the Bruins?
From what I saw of the Hilltoppers in the NCAAs, they can shoot from the outside. They have three senior guards who seem to be poised, and I think Western Kentucky is a classic example of team being seeded wrongly because of their name and conference affiliation. That said, UCLA’s backcourt is one of the best in the nation, if not the best, and I don’t see anyone from Western Kentucky being able to contend with Kevin Love. I’m expecting UCLA to win handily.
I was at the game against A&M with my son and visibly saw Kevin Love turn it up a notch to win it on both ends, 7 blocks for a guy that was generally criticized for being very soft defensively; what happened, other than an immense will to win??
I don’t know if I agree with him being soft defensively, since that is where most of his rebounds come from. I think he didn’t understand (or care) about the importance of defense, but he has changed that approach. As for the second half, I think it was an incredible will win to that came out in him. He’s usually very calculated and in control, but he knew UCLA needed something extra.
Of the players who were on last year's Final 4 team, only Collison is playing better this year. Westbrook had a great season but seems to be reverting to his out-of-control ways lately; Shipp & Luc have dropped wayyyy off. Obviously Love adds a lot; but do you think UCLA can win it all with essentially no contributions from Josh & Luc?
No, I do not, and I talked to Shipp and Mbah a Moute about that after the game, and they both said it would be very difficult.
Keep having fun, Brian. There's a reason why people keep checking back several times a day - your passion shows constantly, and it's fantastic to have someone who works so hard at covering our dear old alma mater providing us with fresh insight and information.
I wonder what effect strep throat has had on Josh lately; I think the fact that, with Mike Roll out, he has to really step it up on defense as well as playing the 2 as well as the 3 spots has fatigued him more than he's used to. Luc was clearly rusty and not back in game shape - breathing hard at times as was reported.
I think both will play better every game from here on out. I do NOT think their shooting can be depended on but I'm in the minority here and believe if they play up to their abilities on DEFENSE, far less will be needed from them on offense. I think it's very important that both be able to drive it inside and force defending front lines to have to move around rather than just collapse on Kevin Love, make some put-backs and some drives. A few outside shots by Josh would be great but IMO that's icing on the cake.
To excel, this team has to play GREAT defense and a style of offense that forces defenses to have to work the full clock on both sides of the court. Shooting, we just have to do enough to keep them from putting three guys on Love; Collison and Westbrook can do that with just a bit of help from Luc and Josh. Thing is, this is NOT a jump shooting team and whenever they start to play like they think they are, things go poorly for them. When they lock the game down, at both ends, they play well. As previous Ben Howland teams have - Afflalo's, Farmar's, even Knight's back at Pitt
let's remember that ucla won 30 two years running without kluv.the difference next year will be(if as you say) no kluv, no dc, no mata...
but our guard play will be deeper and better talent-wise, if not experience wise. i suspect however that having thye npoy at guard will bode well,,,a better westy will bode well.
i cannot say who else will improve, but i can hope, and with ben at the helm, there is 50-50 that we get 30 wins. it all depends on who leaves other schools...anderson/lopezes/harden/brockman and we all expect massive losses from the remaining schools.