Oh, Those Bruins: What Will They Do?

By now it’s a well-known fact that large numbers of UCLA fans have taken to rooting against their beloved Bruins on the quite sensible principle that six or seven years of Steve Lavin is preferable to--yikes!--25 years. Imagine having to watch Lavin-ball in Pauley Pavilion in 2020! Imagine the horror of having to listen to another 20 years of Lav’s appalling gibberish in that jackhammer voice.

But the true author of the decline and fall of the only two Bruin sports that matter is Pete Dalis. His worst mistake, the one that sealed the deal, was falling for tear-stained Steve during his memorable crying jag after the NCAA tournament loss to Minnesota. Dalis is the one who handpicked such notorious lemons as Walt Hazzard, Jim Harrick, Lavin and Bob Toledo.

He’ll soon be retiring to the links of Bel-Air Country Club, and, no doubt, we’ll be hearing all sorts of sappy talk about “his legacy.” But has anyone considered the possibility that Dalis was a Trojan “mole” all these years? Oliver Stone, call your office.

Charles Chiccoa

Reseda

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Diane Pucin, did Steve Lavin run over your dog? Steal your purse? Refuse to acknowledge you at a news conference? “Missing the NCAA tournament would be a favor to most Bruin fans.” [March 10] Did she take a survey? Can I see her statistical sample?

Rarely have I seen a column as vituperative as this one. It isn’t good enough if UCLA makes it through a round or two or three at the NCAA tournament? Final Four or nothing this year, right Diane? No wonder there is a “massive unhappiness bubbling among Bruin fans” with this type of reasoning.

More than 90% of the colleges in this country would be thrilled with the six-year record of Coach Lavin. I am writing this before the NCAA tournament begins because, whatever the outcome, Coach Lavin will be back next year. And deservedly so. Unlike Ms. Pucin.

Steven Epstein

Westwood

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Dear Steve,

Don’t worry about the mediocre record, the sloppy play, inconsistent and unprepared players, and last-minute coaching gaffes. Your job is safe.

Just don’t buy anybody dinner.

Dave De Heras

Santa Barbara

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About the coaching (or lack thereof) at UCLA, I think I have the solution. Would John Wooden be willing to donate a DNA sample for history’s first human clone? If you want the best, go for the original. We have the technology!

Tim Gaul

Laguna Beach

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As a die-hard USC fan, I would love to see Bruin Coach Steve Lavin get an ironclad lifetime contract, but let’s face it, Lavin is already gone.

Wildroot Charlie’s so-called “motion offense” is nothing more than a euphemism for “coachless basketball.” This variation of playground hoops puts all the responsibility on the players and takes the coaches off the hook. Have a bunch of high school All-Americans run down the floor, look for the tall tree in the middle, and if he’s not open, pass it around until somebody gets an open look, then shoot it!

No matter how far UCLA gets in this year’s Big Dance, the Bruins will have done it on pure athleticism with no help from that useless bunch of suits and ties called a coaching staff. Even Arthur Murray used to put footprints on the floor!

Joel Rapp

Los Angeles