Bruin Fans Show No Mercy When Dissecting Latest Flop

We should not be surprised. UCLA will never learn. Barring any miraculous runs, such as the ’95 class of champions, UCLA will not advance deep into the NCAA tournament until our kids are taught how to defend and play half-court basketball.

First-round upsets are alarmingly becoming the norm in Westwood. Perhaps Pete Dalis should follow the lead of Jerry West and hire Dennis Rodman to teach another group of young, immature individuals how to play the game.

Baron Davis thinks he is ready for the NBA. Who does he think he is kidding? Until he learns how to play controlled defense, the only NBA action in his future will be as a spectator on the bench after having fouled out of yet another game.

The performance of the UCLA athletic department the last few years reminds me of something a friend of mine suggested as we attended our first UCLA sporting event as students. He advised me to avoid falling in love with UCLA athletics as the program will always find a way to disappoint and break my heart. Eight years later, I still have not heeded his advice.

ARMEN MITILIAN

La Jolla

*

Steve Lavin refuses to learn. He believes you win games with effort and emotion alone. Forget structure. Forget developing a style of play, working on the fundamentals, then sticking with that style. Lavin is a cheerleader, a baby sitter and very little else. It’s not only that he’s not smart, it’s that he has no use for intelligence. Unfortunately for Bruin fans, he seems to be a demon recruiter, which is his only hope of prolonging his career.

Let’s get specific:

1. Lavin’s “motion offense” is a joke. It’s all motion and no action. [Arizona player] Eugene Edgerson was right: It’s “street ball.”

2. Lavin foolishly treats all his players the same, which in effect means fewer minutes for his key players, along with wasted minutes for mere practice players.

3. The Bruins were born to run, but since they never dominate the defensive board and seldom make the good outlet pass, they can’t even begin to exploit their so-called “talent.”

4. Lavin will always waste gems like Baron Davis for the benefit of “scrappy” guys like his beloved Earl Watson, who has easily broken Toby Bailey’s record for unforced, bonehead turnovers in a season.

CHARLES CHICCOA

Reseda

*

There is nothing so wasteful as potential. And like their predecessors, the UCLA basketball team has wasted its potential. It is sad that such physically skilled athletes obviously are short of the mental acuity it takes to understand why fundamentals like passing, dribbling, making easy shots and taking care of the ball are important.

Worse yet, the most gifted player sits on the bench when his team needed him most. He is not mature enough to become a professional--although his attitude on the court looked professional. Maybe he belongs with those shoot-happy cry- babies. Too bad. Steve Lavin is better than Jim Harrick, but not much. Maybe it’s the kids. The kids just don’t listen.

HENRY MENDOZA

Playa del Rey

*

I love having the top recruiting class the last two years. Lavin and staff have done a wonderful job bringing in talent. But talent means nothing when you throw the ball away, make silly and unnecessary fouls, take impossible shots with two or three players guarding you. After 30 games this season, we should expect a prepared team not to make these mistakes. Lavin has brought the right individuals to UCLA. Now, he needs to prepare them for each game and teach them how to play the game as a team.

EUGENE FONG

Los Angeles

*

The Bruins’ loss to a team of Detroit’s caliber would never have occurred on John Wooden’s watch. With Steve Lavin at the helm, UCLA can look forward to more bridesmaid finishes.

Maybe the black uniforms would have helped?

JOHN HERNANDEZ

Claremont