After the Memphis game, there has been much criticism over Howland’s “system” and style of play, and his well known meticulous (ok fine, anal) style of coaching. This has to led discussion regarding whether Howland or UCLA can win a championship.
What is Howland’s style? The man has to have his bottled water at the same place during every game. He watches more videotape than any coach in the country. He is consumed with his job. He has about 1,429 set plays on offense. He is intense (how many coaches get in a defensive stance when their teams are on defense? Howland plays more defense on the sideline than Chase Budinger has in his career.) . By some accounts (players, parents of players, etc) that I have heard, he can be a prick. However, all these things do not bother me one bit. Does this remind you of someone else? In a previous post, I compared Howland to Bill Belicek, and even his own assistant, Scott Duncan, made that comparison. Howland is a guy you WANT on your side. He is going to outwork the other guy, and most of his players will too. He is a winner. UCLA basketball would be nothing if it weren’t for him. The previous 2 years with Farmar, Afflalo, and company - UCLA overachieved. Plain and simple. They won with hard work and preparation, and yes, Howland’s system and style of play. However, I believe critics have a right to question if CBH will ever win the big one, but it is not the system or style of play itself.
The real cause for concern is that Howland’s personality and coaching philosophy (getting hard nosed, skilled and coachable players) does not mix well with recruiting the top, elite basketball athletes in the country. No, I am not talking about highly ranked guys on rivals.com or scout.com. I am not talking about the Wear twins or James Keefe or even Chase Stanback - guys that are solid players with good skill-sets who are good in high school and are very coachable and by all accounts, very nice guys. I am talking about the elite athletes with certain character or fit issues that Howland usually avoids. Yes, I want to take a dip in the bad side of town for once. I want a couple guys with a lot of tattoos. I want a guy with at least 2 children from at least 2 different women. I want a beast that does not want to jump stop in the paint, but wants to facialize the Tyler Hansbroughs of the world. I want to see some bling around their necks and on their ears. I want a guy who you would never let your daughter date (C’mon dad’s, would YOU let your daughter date Joey Dorsey??? Didn’t think so.) Obviously, the past few sentences are quite the hyperbole, but I think you get my point: That there is an inherent contradiction with Howland’s system/philosophy and the ability to get the elite talent that UCLA needs to win it all. (For all of you who can’t handle the truth and are going to bitch and moan about what I just said, here is my disclaimer: yes there are exceptions to the rule - Jrue Holiday, The Animal Westbrook come to mind.). The system did not make us lose in the Final Four to Memphis. Dorsey’s strength, Dozier and Douglas-Robert’s length, and D-Rose’s strength and quickness did. The talent discrepancy did.
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