Jeff and the Fresh Prints Jeff
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Earl Watson hurts his back in a nasty collision. Fire Lavin. Ray
Young lays out his outfit the night before a game. Fire Lavin. The
concessions stand runs out of mustard packets. Fire Lavin. This is
what it has come to for many UCLA basketball “fans”
these days, who blame Lavin for anything and everything. They
boycott games and hope UCLA loses so it’ll lose Lavin. They
cringe when UCLA wins, which only happens because the other team is
terrible, they say. They hide when UCLA is on a winning streak, or
make excuses for it. And when UCLA loses, they come alive and spew
their hateful venom at Lavin. Here’s an example from a UCLA
message board. “Pathetic, truly pathetic, just like their
“˜coach’ they love to defend. I can’t wait till
Pitino era begins. This is going to be long and painful few weeks
to 15/16 wins and a NIT birth.” Give it up, boys and girls.
Lavin is UCLA’s coach. And even if Rick Pitino were hired, it
won’t happen during this season. I also get upset when UCLA
loses, and find myself screaming at Lavin. “Where are the
screens? Why can’t they pass inside? Show some heart.”
But the fact is, Lavin’s our coach and I’ll eight-clap
for him even if Pitino is available right now. UCLA’s loss to
a strong Arizona team came as its most important player was
sidelined for the second half, its best shooter couldn’t
shoot and the rest of the team just played badly. It happens. Those
aren’t excuses, but factors. Show me a team that never plays
badly and I’ll show you a Trojan who can do math. “¢bull;
“¢bull; “¢bull;
 BRIDGET O’BRIEN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Jason
Kapono plays defense against Hawaii earlier this season.
It’s time for another session of “Straight Up Now Tell
Me.” Today’s guest is UCLA sharpshooter Jason
Kapono.
Can I call you Kappy? Yep.
Who plays you in “Jason Kapono:The Movie?” What
about Steve Lavin? Jim Carrey and Pat Riley.
Britney, Christina, Mandy or Jessica? Neither. I would say
Ashley Cline because she is my girlfriend right now.
Why do athletes get all the girls? I may have to fight that.
Most of us don’t get all the girls. It seems like we do, but
I don’t think so. It’s just because you’re
popular and have the possibility of being rich. Who would you like
to meet out of anyone? I say Slim Shady.
You wear a headband. Do you get annoyed when people ask about
it? No, I don’t. I’m used to it. I just get tired when
people tease me, like the gay jokes and stuff.
What do you think of the Daily Bruin? I think it’s the
greatest paper ever.
Now honestly . . . I think it’s the greatest paper ever
and Jeff and the Fresh Prints is the greatest writer ever.
Now I know you’re lying. “¢bull;Â “¢bull;Â “¢bull;
This Sunday is a big day for sports. Not only is it the premiere of
Survivor 2, but CBS is showing the Super Bowl as a lead-in. By the
way, the Ravens win the Super Bore 13-10 as a Lewis, Ray or Jamal,
is named MVP. “¢bull;Â “¢bull;Â “¢bull; Former USC coach
Paul Hackett was just hired by the New York Jets as offensive
coordinator. The Jets won nine games last year, but I guess that
was too many for them. “¢bull;Â “¢bull;Â “¢bull; Have you
seen the Regional Report on Fox Sports West? I like to hear about
local sports news, but they make it almost painful to watch. And
Lisa Guerrero ““ am I watching a sports interview or House of
Style? “¢bull;Â “¢bull;Â “¢bull; The Lakers are struggling,
and all the talk is of the Kobe and Shaq feud. I haven’t
heard this much bickering since I had lunch at a sorority house.
Shaq wants to score more, but if he just hit 70 percent of his free
throws, a la Dikembe Mutombo or Vlade Divac, he’d be leading
the league in scoring. After losing at Staples to the Heat on
Sunday, Kobe told reporters that “we ran out of gas. I think
it’s a matter of conditioning.” And the cell phone
radiation and fumes of expensive leather coats from the Staples
crowd doesn’t help either.