Official UCLA statements on Josh Smith

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Head coach Ben Howland: “Joshua is a fine young man who has meant a lot to this program. I know I speak for myself and my staff when I thank him for his time in Westwood and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Josh Smith: “I have made the decision to leave the program for personal reasons. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UCLA and am grateful for the opportunity that has been presented to me here.”

This is a disappointing, if unsurprising end to Smith’s career. The junior center has to take the bulk for the blame for failing to get himself in shape, but what a mess Howland’s program has quickly become. Two transfers in four days? If players want to get away from you that badly, you probably won’t be around much longer either.

Freshman Tony Parker, who has averaged 8.4 minutes so far this season, will probably sop up some extra time on the court. He could probably double his playing time easily if it weren’t for the back spasms that have bothered him lately.

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  • Marc

    Dead man walking…

  • Corry

    Is there any information on whether Howland or Guerrero will be fired? The program needs a new coach and a new AD at this point. Eight scholarship players is unbelievable. And to think this is the season they opened new Pauley. Guerrero probably said “what’s wrong with the UCLA basketball program?”

  • 5-Hole

    It’s easy to throw blame at Howland, but really it’s just the standard reason for transfers nowadays…more playing time. Lamb was not that great last year, and never consistent, and he was passed by this year. Smith had his chance but wouldn’t get in shape and never learned how to play without getting into foul trouble, so he wasn’t going to get too many minutes either. This season may not go as we had hoped, but the foundation will be there and the guys will have a chance to gel.

  • http://www.facebook.com/frank.bonaccorso.5 Frank Bonaccorso

    Football moving in the right direction. Basketball in a deep and embarrassing slide. Howland seems to have lost the ability to coach talent in the last three years. It is obvious that he has sold out his juniors like Lamb and Smith in order to give playing time to frosh who are not ready and that is biting him now. No way to run a program. And the fact that the coaches did not make sure that every player going on the court in final seconds of Cal Poly game did not know not to foul with the score tied — shocking bad coaching.

  • BruinTax

    Why would anyone cry over losing Josh Smith? He obviously didn’t care. I, for one, am glad he’s gone!

  • http://www.facebook.com/mark.hersberger Mark Hersberger

    This season is shaping up like last season. I think Howland is done and Danny G has all winter to evaluate replacement candidates.

  • The Big Woof!

    When Joshua showed up last year in such terrible shape I asked what would coach Wooden have done? My guess is he would have said, “Joshua, you’re going to redshirt this year and if you don’t come back in better condition next year, it was a pleasure to have known you.” Well, guess what? except Smith himself apparently made the decision.

  • Hardtail Bruin

    If Smith and Lamb go on to have success somewhere else, like other recent transfers, how do you not place the blame on Howland? It’s his job to DEVELOP players. Help them improve from year to year. Can’t say I’ve seen a lot of that happening with the basketball program lately (as in years now).

    • http://www.facebook.com/sakatalaw Cliff Sakata

      I agree. We’re supposed to develop these guys. Howland has some crazy love for the Wear twins. Should have played Smith more.

    • The Big Woof!

      Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Jrue Holliday, Darren Collison, etc. are fairly recent and they’re blowing up in the NBA. Fact is Howland helps develop and create stars at next level. Maybe some of the most recent: Gooden (now in some small program in Europe), and all the recent transfers were not willing to work hard enough?

      • Hardtail Bruin

        Yes, that’s a good question for sure. That’s kinda why I’m thinking if these two latest go on and have some success elsewhere it begins to build a case against Howland. No doubt Josh Smith is gonna be a handful for any coach, but I’d not heard anything negative about Lamb. I just don’t remember any recent Bruins bballers who have improved steadily over the course of their time with Howland. Love and Holliday everyone knew coming in were fantastic players. Westbrook was the same, only no one really knew it at the time. Collison for sure improved each year, but he’s a kid who was really going to work at it and didn’t need an whole bunch of external motivation (and, he’s not that recent). It’s a really interesting question as to what is exactly happening with the program.