Quote:
Originally Posted by adubroff
I think it's hard for a Collison to develop leadership when there's a bunch of those sort of guys in the locker room. For three years he's the #4 banana, now they want him to be #1 on and off the court.
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You may have a point. Plus, when those guys had their moments of weakness, they could turn to those others. If Farmar had a bad moment, Afflalo picked him up, and vice versa. If Love was frustrated, Mbah a Moute got him back on focus.
I like to think, though, that in a situation like that, you watch and learn and relish the opportunity yourself to take on that role. And maybe Collison didn't take enough ownership of it.
It's a shame these guys (the seniors) have to go out on a performance like this.
And I am not trying to belittle Nova's performance. They have played fantastic today. But it really is about UCLA not being good at what they need to be good at to succeed. On matchups/talent/developed ability/coaching approach alone, Nova was going to win this (and that difference is a Howland problem). I don't think anyone who watches this thinks this is UCLA playing at its best. This is a UCLA team with flaws being openly exposed by a tested, quality opponent.