UCLA Basketball Falls in a Blazer of Glory

Has The Times no journalistic integrity? First, it runs an innuendo-laden story about UCLA basketball Coach Jim Harrick. Alongside it appears a column by Bill Plaschke, all but declaring Harrick the killer of John F. Kennedy and calling for his firing.

Never mind the fact that the next day’s follow-up article reassesses the Blue Book value in question, reducing the exaggerated original estimates. That was nothing compared to the quote from blatant NCAA rules violator Jerry Tarkanian, who assumes Harrick’s guilt but opines that the NCAA will do everything it can to protect a high-profile school such as UCLA.

Indeed, this is editorializing masquerading as reporting--and doing a lousy job of it. It’s no wonder, then, that many UCLA alumni like myself have come to know the Times as the “grown-up Daily Trojan.”

LAWRENCE LEE

Brea

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If everything Pete Dalis said about the car sold by Jim Harrick to the sister of Baron Davis is true, Jim Harrick is still guilty of monumental stupidity. His responsibility is to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. For this reason, he should be suspended until a complete investigation is completed. If UCLA is put on probation or if Baron Davis is forced to attend another school, Harrick must be let go.

Dalis may be telling the truth, but his comments have the smell of a cover-up. If this turns out to be the case, he should go too. Jim Harrick and Pete Dalis are good people, and they have served UCLA well. But as a Bruin alumnus, athletic donor and lifelong fan, I demand an institution that is above reproach. If they can no longer do the job, somebody must.

J. DAVID JONES

Monterey Park

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I was incredulous as I read Bill Plaschke’s stinging commentary Tuesday about Jim Harrick. In one quick diatribe, Plaschke investigates, judges, rules and sentences Harrick one day after a breaking story that had many versions and had not yet been commented upon by Harrick himself.

Nine years as coach, one national title, a clean record, and Plaschke concludes that UCLA basketball is “far too big to allow itself to be run down by a reckless head coach in a used Blazer.” Come on! Plaschke’s display, no matter how this story unfolds, smacks of happy trigger sensationalism that warrants its own investigation.

RICK WALLACE

Malibu

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Regarding UCLA basketball Coach Jim Harrick’s “car caper,” Times columnist Bill Plaschke wrote, “Is [UCLA] headed for a permanent stain on a sparkling reputation built by men who had enough heart to play by the rules?”

Excuse me, but has anyone ever heard the name Sam Gilbert?

DAVID PAGE

Ventura

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All those Trojan bashers “waiting for the other shoe to drop” got their wish. Coach Harrick dropped it.

MARK WALSH

La Mirada

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After a week of brutal “Nike shoe trade-in” ribbing, I have but one question to ask of my Bruin friends: “Can I borrow the Blazer to go return the hats and shoes?”

TEX WALL

Burbank

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Maybe Coach Harrick can elicit the services of well-known car dealer Cal Worthington to collaborate on a commercial to help UCLA’s recruiting efforts:

If you need a scholarship, go see Jim.

If you’re a basketball blue chip, go see Jim.

Your letter of intent is all you need, we’ll sign it at the DMV.

Goe see Jim. Go see Jim. Go see Jim.

ANTHONY SANTICH

Laguna Niguel