Howland tidbits
UCLA coach Ben Howland met the media and a primary topic remained the loss to Washington State.
He said the Bruins aren't as quick this season as in the last few, and that is a reason why teams are able to attack UCLA's double team better.
Howland also talked about the ability of former players like Arron Afflalo, Russell Westbrook and Cedric Bozeman to take it personally when an opponent scored on him.
I asked him if anyone on the roster was doing that this season.
"It's learning to be like that,'' Howland said. "Malcolm (Lee) has that in his future. I think Jrue (Holiday), for a freshman, has done a good job. But the thing is you have to do that every day."
Howland said the starting lineup will remain the same.
Coach Howland has to walk the fine line of trying to teach Jrue Holiday a lesson while not making him angry and pushing him off to the pros. Jrue has played it smart by hinting he may be back next year so Howland is strung along trying to placate him.
Riiiight....
B/c Ben's a total pushover..
P-L-E-A-S-E !!!
I think we all know that Jrue Holiday has a virtual oock on a first round NBA pick. He is probably a Lottery pick with the talent (or lack thereof) coming out of the NCAA this year. So, "Does Jrue go?" is the question. "Who knows?" is the answer. But to think that CBH is 'placating' anyone is being as naive as a newborn babe. CBH is coaching to the best of his abilities for THIS SEASON and he is not 'hedging' for NEXT SEASON. He leaves the hedging to his players. We all know that Jrue would benefit by another year (or two) in college. History tells us, however, that this is NEVER a deciding factor if the kid is told he is a sure lottery pick. I am sure CBH knows all of this and it makes little difference to him in how he treats Jrue right now. Jrue deserved the 'benching' against WSU. We shall see how he responds.
If your players are not able to defensively accomplish their goal of stopping opponents, you must make the proper adjustments for the talent level you put on the court. What adjustments has Ben made to compensate for the lack of his teams ability to stop mid level offenses?
The irony of the Lee/Holiday situation was that Holiday was thought to be the better defender coming out of HS and Lee the one who needed to work at it.
He should be starting according to the way Howland rewards defensive effort and ability.