Letters: Did pride go before UCLA’s fall in basketball?

So the most disappointing UCLA basketball team I’ve seen in my life has finally been put out of its misery. The only reasonable explanation for consistently getting blown out by teams of equal or lesser talent down the stretch run is an appalling and astounding lack of intensity and effort. This team quit a month ago, only they forgot to tell the schedule.

All associated with the UCLA basketball program should feel ashamed, but none more so than the players, who willingly accepted a scholarship to the most applied-to university in the nation then failed to hold up their end of the bargain: representing that university with pride, passion and nothing less than 100% commitment. If the NIT comes calling, UCLA should say no and let Bruins fans turn their attention to UCLA’s fine spring teams in baseball, softball, men’s volleyball, track, golf, tennis and women’s water polo, all of whom are nationally ranked and all of whom, if nothing else, are at least trying.

Scott Dallavo

El Segundo

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An elite program would be done with Steve Alford right now. Would Kentucky hold onto a coach after going 15-17? Would Arizona keep Sean Miller if after his third season he finished 10th in the conference? Would Kansas retain a coach who was trounced three times by Kansas State? Do you think the next Duke coach will be allowed to go on if his wins decrease from 28, to 22, to 15? Would North Carolina hire a coach who had been to one Sweet Sixteen in 18 years as a Division I head coach and was run out of Iowa?

Robert Bastron

Brooklyn, N.Y.

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For the last four basketball seasons, UCLA has been mediocre at best. After every loss, Steve Alford says it’s his fault. That is painfully obvious. The final insult is a third straight loss to USC. With a great incoming recruiting class, UCLA should also cut its losses and get a new head coach. Furthermore, if Athletic Director Dan Guerrero insists on keeping his job, he should hire a basketball advisor.

Neil Snow

Manhattan Beach

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UCLA basketball’s formula for failure:

Average college players supervised by a below-average Division II coach supervised by an incompetent athletic director.

George Young

La Cañada

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I moved to Dallas a few years ago and I am so glad that I did not have to watch my Bruins turn in one of the most embarrassing basketball seasons in school history. On the bright side, I am able to watch every Dodgers home game on TV.

Jonathan Braun

Frisco, Texas

The winners

Lo and behold, “Little Bro” USC obliterates its dynastic-turned-doormat crosstown rival not once, not twice but three times in the same basketball season. Some may consider this an impressive feat worthy of hanging a commemorative banner in the rafters at their “JV arena,” but what say you, Reggie Miller?

Steve Ross

Beverly Hills

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As a lifelong USC fan I have been very pleased with the basketball team’s vast improvement this year. However, I fear tough times are ahead: No, not a probable tough draw in the NCAA tournament. No, not a potential Sports Illustrated cover. But yes, the ringing endorsement of Bill Plaschke.

Ralph Martinez

Arcadia

Hey, they beat the Warriors!

Lakers fans are happy that the Lakers beat Golden State in a regular-season game. Lakers fans should be furious about the state of the team, when a regular-season win against the defending champs is worth celebrating. Well, this is the Jimmy Buss era. Mediocrity is the best we can hope for. Is it 2017 yet ... or did Jimmy say 2018?

Alan Olivas

Glendora

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I am perplexed why there are these excessive, seemingly obligatory senseless articles written about the Lakers. The team’s owners and management have failed to assemble a competitive team. Its coach has also failed to teach young players the discipline and dedication required to play good defense and its importance toward finding a way to win. It’s called player development.

There should be no less than two articles a week written about this franchise’s failed leadership and management and more about what specifically is being done about it. Enough fluff coverage for a team, coach and management that is fleecing its loyal fan base.

Marty Weening

Westlake Village

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The Lakers and UCLA Bruins are synonymous with basketball greatness. However, these two teams are no longer great because they suffer from the same problem: no defense. Let’s hope Byron Scott and Steve Alford add defense-minded assistants to their staffs in order to return these L.A. treasures to their rightful places in basketball lore.

Vincent Martinez

Arcadia

Welcome back?

It’s official, the relocation of the NFL’s Rams, duly marked by the first arrest, March 5, of a Los Angeles Ram player, running back Tre Mason, who, in his wisdom, decided to smoke dope, speed, drive recklessly, resist arrest and operate an unregistered vehicle.

Yay, Rams! Yay, football (and the season hasn’t even started)!

Skip Nevell

Los Angeles

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The Rams left town an exciting and talented team and return as a lackluster, no-talent express. At least the Lakers can blame their own league office for destroying a team that was once the envy of that very league. Well, the Rams will have a nice, shiny new stadium in which to play; albeit one with injury-producing, cancer-causing artificial turf.

Michael Solomon

Canoga Park

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Case Keenum says he’s waiting for his L.A. experience to blow him away If that’s the case, then Case will probably be dismissed. Hello Nick, hello Sean and the quarterback(s) drafted by the Lambs.

Lawrence M. Kates

Los Angeles

Quarterback U.

I was pleased to see Lindsey Thiry’s article covering USC spring football, but her comment that “at USC, it’s always about the quarterback” is just false, and a bit strange. While we’ve had our share of great QBs, USC is known for “student body right” for a reason. At USC it’s usually about the running backs (Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charlie White, Marcus Allen, Reggie Bush, just to name a few).

Gary Ross

Beverly Hills

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In the March 8 and 9 articles, USC running backs are not mentioned. Are those guys still in school?

David Marshall

Santa Monica

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Not having heard about any progress on the USC search for a new athletic director, I feel like I have to get the pitch in for Bill Plaschke. He is the one sports expert in the L.A. area who knows all about USC. It will be a great loss to The Times, but then, sacrifices must be made. Fight on!

Roger Miller

Rancho Cucamonga

Failing the test

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When I heard the news about Maria Sharapova failing a drug test, I was so shocked I shrieked! Then I did it again! And again and again and again!

Richard Turnage

Burbank

The pastime

So we’re less than a month away from opening day and 75% of us are still blacked out of Dodgers baseball. Now, obviously Time Warner Cable was foolish in its $8.3-billion offer, but this is on the ballclub to do the right thing.

This is on Dodgers head Stan Kasten to make the call he has to make to TWC and redo the deal. This is on Magic Johnson to stand up to his other owners and support what is morally correct.

This probably won’t happen because business is business and the fans have short memories.

However, Mike Trout is one heck of a player ... and all Angels games are on TV.

Fred Wallin

Westlake Village

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Baseball’s response to the Chase Utley slide was spot on, notwithstanding the reactionary opinions of Bill Plaschke and others. When they allowed infielders to record outs by touching a piece of dirt several feet from the base, they had to also let the runner go to that spot. Now, they have rescinded the suspension and brought all the action back to the base. Well done!

Alan Abajian

Alta Loma

Peyton who?

Raise your hand if you thought Ryan Leaf should have gone No. 1 overall in the 1998 NFL draft.

Ron Yukelson

San Luis Obispo

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