They Just Love That Guy in Westwood

Which team would you rather back?

Question 1: A team that goes 24-3, wins the Pac-10, wins a lot of games handily, and makes the Sweet 16, or, an underachieving team that goes 17-10, finishes in the middle of the Pac-10 and gets to the Sweet 16? Coach Steve Lavin would say that each team has achieved equal success.

Question 2: A team that goes 24-3, is the Pac-10 champion, is ranked in the top five all season, but loses in the first round of the NCAA tournament, or, the 17-10 team that finishes in the middle of the Pac-10, loses to mediocre teams, and barely beats others by one or two points, and makes the Sweet 16? Lavin would say the latter has had a more successful season and should blow its horn.

Question 3: Name the Sweet 16 last year (or any year).

Which team has had a better season and gives its supporters more to enjoy? How do you think Lavin justifies keeping his job?

Douglas L. Walton

Los Angeles

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Last time I looked, a coach was generally evaluated by his won-lost record. Except in this town. Steve Lavin is rolling to his sixth 20-win, NCAA tournament season in six years. The Bruins have defeated Kansas, Alabama, Stanford, USC and Arizona. His reward? Almost a weekly litany of abuse, including your staff (Diane Pucin with her so caring concern for UCLA fans) and the usual Saturday letter jerks. Do you ever hear Bibby being blasted after getting trounced at Arizona or California? Montgomery after being swept at home? Matt Doherty at North Carolina?

I said it last year and I say it again now that we have beaten Stanford three years in a row on their court: Stay off his back and let Coach Lavin coach.

Steve Epstein

Los Angeles

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As longtime UCLA football and basketball fans, we applauded Peter Dalis’ decision to reject the invitation to the Humanitarian Bowl as being beneath our dignity. We urge him to take the same high road when the NIT bid that Steve Lavin’s coaching has earned arrives on his desk.

Andrew Rubin

and Terrence Scott

Los Angeles

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I have been a Bruin fan for nearly 50 years. Needless to say, during that time, I have experienced many emotional ups and downs. I’ve learned patience and tolerance. Rarely, if ever, have I criticized my beloved Bruins. One thing has remained consistent during those years: I have faithfully supported the players and coaches simply because they are Bruins--but I just can’t take it any longer.

Steve Lavin’s lack of basic of coaching skills is truly alarming. While coaches of opposing teams draw up plays on their chalkboards and execute timely substitutions and timeouts, Mr. Sweet 16 can only jump up and down while endlessly spouting out his tired cliches. It is embarrassing.

Lavin must go!

Dan Evans

Covina

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The UCLA Bruins seem to think that wearing matching headbands is the equivalent of team unity. Sadly, with Steve Lavin at the helm, one could expect no more from these undercoached, underperforming Bruins.

It boggles the mind that any player would want to play under Lavin. An incoming freshman is guaranteed that he will graduate with less talent than he had his freshman year.

It’s time for Lavin to hang up his hair gel and fade quietly into the sunset.

Geoff Kertesz

Hollywood

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Definition of natural progression? Pepperdine’s basketball coach moves to UCLA (a la Jim Harrick). Wouldn’t that be an interesting cross-town scenario:

Henry Bibby, UCLA All-American, coaching at USC. Paul Westphal, USC All-American, coaching at UCLA.

Diane Kieffer

Malibu

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Clearly it’s time to finally and seriously consider a coaching change when a program’s season has been a model of inconsistency that has subjected its fans to a three-month, full-tilt mood swing. With big wins against top-ranked opponents and even bigger losses--the 30-point blowout loss to Oregon and the embarrassing loss to conference weakling Arizona State--can change at the top possibly come soon enough? I just hope Lute Olson doesn’t have too much trouble finding another gig.

Michael Lazarou

Encino