Afflalo is doing next to nothing for the Pistons (although he is behind probably the best backcourt in the NBA). Farmar couldn't beat out Smush Parker in his rookie year. Ryan Hollins is about as much of an NBA player as Loren Woods. I don't see why some UCLA fans are so skittish about admitting Howland's style does not work in the NBA. It's a league that promotes individual basketball which goes against everything Howland does.
Because I don't buy that Howland's style is the problem. Hollins was going to St Louis before Romar took the UW job and he changed his mind to go to UCLA who offered late. He was a virtual unknown in HS and was vilified by UCLA fans before Howland got ahold of him.
Afflalo actually won a national POY award last year(not all obviously but one of them) did anybody think that was possible when he arrived at UCLA? I remember him in the McDonald's game peopel were saying he only made the game because he was going to UCLA, people said Bryce Taylor was the better player, UCLA fans thought Shipp was the better player and that Malik Hairston was the guy UCLA needed, Afflalo OWNED Hairston for 3 years he guarded him every game and shut him down. Afflalo is a great kid but Howland got the absolute most out of him, he's just not athletic enough nor a good enough shooter to be a starter in the NBA, but he was the Conference POY last year because of Howland.
Love won Pac 10 POY under Ben, I wouldn't be surprised to see Jrue Holliday get it next year. Westbrook had no high profile offers until really late, chose UCLA over ASU, and was voted conference DPOY today.
You can't say Howland isn't getting the most out of his players?
