Time Away Doesn’t Help Local Opinion of Harrick

Immediately after UCLA’s loss and Rhode Island’s win on Friday night, the CBS commentators approached interviews with Jim Harrick from the point of view that this is perhaps vindication for Jim Harrick vis-a-vis “the UCLA situation” (his dismissal as coach). Harrick intimated it was. This shows that winning is everything to Harrick and representatives of CBS sports.

After a disappointing, but probably expected loss to a powerful Kentucky team, Steve Lavin graciously and sincerely praised the Wildcats and later said how proud he was of his players all year. What class!

After an embarrassing, unexpected, first-round loss to Princeton in 1996, Harrick indignantly told the reporter who asked if he had been outcoached in the loss, that he wasn’t qualified to ask the question. Classless!

Who should Bruin fans want to represent UCLA athletics? Lavin, of course!

Let’s be patient with Lavin. He represents UCLA well and I’m sure he will hang more banners soon.

RICHARD OFSTEIN, Santa Monica

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For those who believe that Jim Harrick has been punished enough for making a mistake, lying about it, trying to cover it up, asking others to falsify records, and still not understanding what he did wrong . . . perhaps there is one person who believes that a lesson not learned is a lesson worth repeating.

ARTHUR LEE BERKOWITZ, Aliso Viejo

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Jim Harrick is entitled to any success he earns in the future. I am just glad that the entire nation got a chance to see the real Jim Harrick that UCLA fans and administrators got to know only too well--mean-spirited and angry to the end, blaming everyone else for his team’s loss. Contrast that with the class shown by Mike Krzyzewski after an equally difficult loss. What a difference.

LEONARD LEVINE, Los Angeles

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When asked on CBS, “Who will your wife pull for when Rhode Island plays Valparaiso?” Harrick replied, “She knows who pays her paycheck.”

I don’t need to hear anything else Harrick has to say.

ANDREW TORRES, Glendale