Ready for the NBA? How About Tulsa?

So the spoiled little Bruins are dedicating their basketball season to Jim Harrick. Well, the Tulsa loss somehow seems appropriate.

Neither Harrick nor Steve Lavin nor God, I believe, could teach these spoiled, mouthy children not to take 30-footers from the corner (Toby Bailey) or pump their fists and thump their chests after a dunk when you haven’t won a game yet (Jelani McCoy and J.R. Henderson) or take out-of-control shots early in the game and shot clock when you’re down by six (Charles O’Bannon). I could go on.

Except for Cameron Dollar, I don’t see an improved court presence or better self-control or poise anywhere on this Bruin team. Except for their defense, they still play like freshmen. I fear they will be sitting around the NBA retirement home in 20 years, talking about this dunk or that in-your-face, but reminiscing of what might have been and not championships of their own . . . just like that other overrated group of individuals that never became a team and never won a thing: the Fab Five of Michigan.

Never reaching your potential is so wasteful. Let them go to the NBA now and let’s get U-C-L-A a T-E-A-M, whoever coaches them.

HENRY MENDOZA

Playa del Rey

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The basketball program at UCLA has probably been set back five years, but coaching, or the lack thereof, cannot bear the entire blame from the self-destruction. After all, Lavin doesn’t shoot free throws, miss layups or play point guard. I saw no one of NBA caliber on this vaunted five, and would highly advise they study hard. Losses are learning experiences and UCLA will learn much this year.

EDDIE GLASS

Los Angeles

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A few thoughts from a longtime Bruin fan on the loss to Tulsa:

Toby Bailey isn’t turning pro next year if he keeps turning the ball over this year.

Missing free throws is like walking batters. It will kill you in the end.

The Bruins run a non-movement, non-screen, non-pick offense.

DALE S. MORRETINO

Laguna Niguel

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Regarding the “Trio of Indecision” article on three Bruin players who may leave school:

I have a suggestion for Toby Bailey, J.R. Henderson and Jelani McCoy: Learn some skills and discipline first.

Bailey demonstrated last year, in the abortive attempt to make him a point guard, that he remains a one-dimensional player, a gunner who doesn’t handle the ball very well.

Henderson, the most talented overall player on the team, still doesn’t play with sufficient consistency and intensity to cut it in the pros.

As for McCoy, I’m not surprised he thinks he should have a vote on the new coach. The way Jim Harrick handled him last year not only cost the team a couple of pretty good big men in Ike Nwankwo and omm’A Givens, it must have convinced him he is the second coming of Bill Walton.

Earth to Jelani--you have two skills, shot-blocking and dunking. Work on your offensive game around the basket, your defensive position and your passing. Then someday you may rate as a decent player in the pros.

WILLIAM BRADSHAW

San Diego