Weekly Answers, Pt. 7

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers after the jump…

1) A lot’s been made of Howland’s touch for developing future NBA players. But really, how much of that was Howland and how much of it was the athlete’s innate ability, drive, talent, etc.? IMHO I think Howland’s role has been way overblown, as we’re seeing w/ the utter lack of NBA caliber talent on the team now. – la-uklaI disagree about both your Howland observation and the fact that there is NBA talent on the team, just not yet ready. Howland is a great defensive coach, and he prepared Collison, Westbrook, etc. for the rigors of the NBA game. The NBA is almost exclusively man-to-man, and Howland is adept at preparing his guys for that. This year is an aberration, with a perfect storm of plagues – early entry, injuries, an overhyped class. Things will settle down next year.

2) Do you think Laz Jones will be a starter or come off the bench next season? – Mario DiLeoDepends how much progress Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson make next summer.

3) I know it is a long way off, but predict UCLA’s conference finish in basketball and their NCAA tournament seed for 2011 – bruinbrianPac-10 finish: first or second; Tourney seed: six or seven.

4) Broad question: With an seemingly likely NFL lockout in 2011, how do you see this affecting current Juniors and Seniors? – KNNFL or NBA? Because the NBA lockout could be very important for UCLA. Players who don’t jump after this year likely won’t after next year either, because of the threat of work stoppage.

5) Would the Bruins accept an NIT bid? – AnonymousI’m not so sure they even make the NIT: UCLA would need to finish the regular season 3-1 and then go at least 1-1 in the tournament. That said, yes, I think they’d take the bid.