By Chris
Umpierre
Daily Bruin Staff
Jason Kapono is not one to shy away from criticism.
During his month-long exploration into possibly going to the NBA
last summer, NBA general managers Jerry West and Jerry Krause told
the long-bombing UCLA sophomore forward that he needed to get
stronger and quicker.
That strength and quickness could be used to better his post-up
game and a defense that was suspect last season.
Kapono, who many felt could have been a late first-round pick if
he left his name in the draft, decided to take that criticism,
apply himself in the off-season and go back to school. (He was able
to pull his name out of the draft because he did not hire an
agent).
As a result of a strenuous summer training program, the
preseason Wooden Award candidate has returned to Westwood with 16
more pounds of muscle and just 6 percent of body fat (he had 11
percent last year). He hopes the off-season work will not only
improve his NBA stock but also make his Bruins a better team this
season.
This leaner, more athletic Kapono, who had all of one dunk last
season, is even talking about dunking this year.
“Hopefully now with all the training I’ve been doing
I can flush a couple dunks instead of doing my Larry Bird lay-ups
so you guys can start saying I’m an athlete now instead of a
semi-athlete or a slow spot shooter,” he said.
“I’m not a Steve Kerr,” he added. “I
think I’ve got a little more to my game.”
Teammates have been impressed by Kapono’s increased
athleticism in preseason practices.
“He’s been dunking this summer with us, taking off
on people,” said senior guard Rico Hines. “I’m
looking forward to throwing him alley-oops this year. Hopefully
he’ll catch a few of them.”
While finishing lobs might be an exaggeration, look for
Kapono’s game, as a result of his summer training, to include
defense this season.
The 6-foot-7, 208 pound sophomore was often powerless last
season guarding athletic wing players.
Many times Kapono was left in the dust as players drove right
past him. He would result to sagging off on players.
As a product of his increased strength and quickness, Kapono is
now able to not only stay in front of players, but to get up and
pressure the ball-handler.
“I’ve seen the change,” he said. “Last
year I would get killed for my defense. Coach (Steve) Lavin would
say I couldn’t play defense. He’d tell me that his
grandmother could play better defense
“I’ve seen it now through preseason workouts,”
he added. “Going against guys like (Bruin teammate) Ray
Young, 6-foot-5 quick athlete guys. Instead of sagging off on guys
I know I can put pressure on them.”
Hines has noticed the improvement.
“He’s faster on defense,” Hines said.
“He’s improved his lateral speed.”
In addition to defense, Kapono has also added driving to the
basket and a developing post game to his arsenal.
Kapono didn’t forget about his shot over the off-season.
His shot, which many called the best in college basketball in last
year’s draft of weak shooters, is what could have got Kapono
drafted in the first round.
Last year’s co-Pac-10 Freshman of the Year shot a
scintillating 47.4 percent (82 of 173) from three-point range last
season. He finished first in the Pac-10 and eighth in the NCAA in
three-point shooting.
His 82 three-pointers broke a UCLA single season record held by
Tracy Murray.
Senior guard Earl Watson feels Kapono’s own record might
be in jeopardy this season.
“Jason’s shooting better this year and that’s
hard to say because he shot so well last year,” Watson said.
“He’s going to shoot 80 percent from three point range
this year. No, I’m just playing, but he’s definitely
going to shoot over 50 percent.”
Lavin feels Kapono’s increased shooting range is a result
of the forward trying out for several NBA teams for four weeks.
“When he tried out with the NBA teams he was working
behind the NBA three-point line, so now stepping back into college,
his range is that much greater,” Lavin said.
Kapono said: “When I was going through those tryouts I was
shooting a thousand shots a day from pro range. Once I moved back
to the college line it was almost like lay-up drills for
me.”
Many critics questioned why Kapono tested the NBA waters in the
first place. If he was going to stay at school why go out and try
out for NBA teams?
“People may say that I was wrong to even try to go out but
I don’t see that,” Kapono said. “I feel that
I’ve gained knowledge and experience so when I do decide to
go out or when it is my time I know what I am going
into.”
And it was during those tryouts that Kapono received the
criticism from NBA general managers that will make him a more
marketable professional prospect in the future.
It is a win-win situation for Kapono, and the Bruins. As he
becomes more attractive to NBA teams, the 2000-01 Bruins will
become a better team.
“You take what NBA GM’s say and you try to use that
to help you out personally, but then it’s also going to help
out your team,” Kapono said.