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DrKahanamoku
Joined: 11/08/09 Posts: 1,838
The growth of a coach.
Posted Fri, May 09 10:19 pm
That is the question, the answer and for success the happening. We shall see. Introspection, seeing the flaw and then doing the right thing is not done by all. But is the most respected of all.
Duke
Rabid Bruin
Joined: 9/26/23 Posts: 2,239
The biggest problem last year was PG
Posted Fri, May 09 10:48 pm (Edited Fri, May 09 10:58 pm)
In response to The growth of a coach. (DrKahanamoku)
Mick went out and got an AA candidate. He couldn’t do any better to address the biggest weakness IMO. UCLA would have won 5-7 more games last year with Dent at PG - everything else being the same.
123456bt
Joined: 1/16/14 Posts: 14,832
With Dent, a top ten offense? It is doable
Posted Fri, May 09 11:22 pm
In response to The biggest problem last year was PG (Rabid Bruin)
Last year's defense was a top twenty. Just a hunch. We hover around top twenty for next year.
123456bt
Joined: 1/16/14 Posts: 14,832
Coaches talk about invisible hoops
Posted Fri, May 09 11:30 pm
In response to The growth of a coach. (DrKahanamoku)
You know. The stuff that a kook such as myself never see.

Let us talk about invisible coaching or leadership. Cronin had to kick Campbell out of the nest. It was the right move for Campbell to move on. Dude, check this out. Campbell was offered more money elsewhere. Cronin told him to get the bag. It was the wrong move for Cronin. The hated invisible coach.
lakershen
Joined: 1/08/25 Posts: 268
Hope he can evolve
Posted Sat, May 10 5:23 am
In response to The growth of a coach. (DrKahanamoku)
Very well said. The inability to evolve is the main criticism many, including myself, have of Cronin. He’s certainly capable and has the drive, the intelligence and the experience to become a legendary coach. Whether or not he gets there, that’s entirely on him. Growth starts with humility. If Cronin can truly self-reflect and adjust, that alone would be a major win for him and the program.

Let’s see what happens next season. In the meantime, we should stop criticizing him excessively, there’s nothing anyone can do until next April. He’ll be UCLA’s head coach at least until then. But we also shouldn’t give him a free pass on everything. It’s not Andrews’ fault, it’s not Mara’s fault, it’s not the five-star recruits’ fault, it’s not lack of NIL money’s fault, and it’s not the high academic standard’s fault. He’s the head coach. It’s all on him.
DrKahanamoku
Joined: 11/08/09 Posts: 1,838
The growth I would like to see
Posted Sat, May 10 10:14 am (Edited Sat, May 10 10:20 am)
In response to The growth of a coach. (DrKahanamoku)
is answered in the response to the following question,

What do you do when your defense is essentially good enough to stop your opponents for a “period” of time, THEN WHAT?

My answer is to apply the CORRECT OFFENSE for that situation. He needs to teach, practice and invoke them.

I believe he does not teach, practice and invoke the wide family of offensive strategies applicable to his teams sufficiently.

Basketball is chess. Both you and the opponent have from “pons to queens” including a stable of alternate on field players. Each has offensive and defensive skills that can and now MUST BE DEPLOYED to win.

Will Cronin become the chess master, the skills and method developer, be able to learn and apply?

He needs growth.

Duke