101 Comments
May 7, 2023Liked by John Canzano

One other point I would add - nobody's claiming Bronny is going to be anywhere near as good as his dad...might just be a very average player. Very average. It's not like the Ducks lost out on a top-flight recruit that could help them immediately.

Expand full comment
May 7, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Glad the circus is staying in socal.

Expand full comment
May 7, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Eugene is just not a mecca for basketball, even less so than Spokane or Madison. So why is there this giant expectation from Duck's fans that their team be so competitive in an urban sport? Sometimes, money can't buy you success, especially when all programs can now legally entice players with NIL money, not the older under-the-table Nike benefits.

Expand full comment
May 7, 2023·edited May 7, 2023

After watching Bronny in two Les Schwab Invitational games this year, it was very plain to see that he is a very good, but not great high school player. Both top West Linn players [Jackson Shelstad & Adrian Mosley] are better players at this point in their careers. Who has the best upside? That remains to be seen. But as far as a player, I don't think the Ducks "lost out" in this situation.

The media circus that arrived with Bronny's film crew appeared to be intrusive for the Sierra Canyon team. Ducks BB has had enough of a circus with how the last 2 years have ended and probably wouldn't do well with the additional scrutiny.

Nobody disputes that Dana Altman has demonstrated that he is generally a good coach. But my concern centers around his & his coaching staff's recent talent evaluations. They were the ones that chose, offered & recruited the "Unnamed Player" who didn't want to work hard & ended up transferring via the portal. They have made the player choices that have fielded the last several years' teams. Honestly, since Tony Stubblefield left for DePaul, the Ducks' coaching staff seems to be finding more "misses" than "hits". And the old Canadian pipeline seems to have dried up.

Given the resources that Altman has to work with at the UO, I really believe this year should be considered a "make or break" year for Altman & his coaching staff. One bad year's an outlier; two bad years are a trend; and three bad years are...well...unacceptable.

P.S. My post bears absolutely no "hate" towards Bronny & his choice. I HOPE he does well at USC and I am GLAD that he will have his family & support group there to help him. Nothing but best wishes for Bronny & his future!

Expand full comment

Coach Altman made his point after the season, and to me made it clear he wanted players who play basketball. And fans in the stands to support their efforts. These are reasonable goals. The rest, including the James saga, is show and distraction. He has some good recruited players coming in. If they play with passion and desire, there are enough UO fans to fill the stands without the side show.

Expand full comment

I may be in the minority here but i'm glad he's going to USC and not Oregon...I just don't think it would have been a good fit as Altman has old time values and he's not into the circus world of Basketball (as yet anyway)..I saw Bronny play 2 games this past winter in the les schwab tourney and he was outplayed by several players participating that week including the kid from West Linn..He may eventually end up a star player but he's not there yet.

Expand full comment

John, DA has a valid point. Many players want the stardom and fame, but don’t want to put in the work to achieve it. So sad.

Expand full comment

I agree with your assessment. Coach needs players committed to excellence and that means a willingness to put in the time and effort to be the best they can be. They don’t have to be the “best” players coming out of high school but they have to have the passion and determination to continually improve their skills and game. Good luck to Coach Altman and the Ducks in the upcoming season!

Expand full comment

I 100% agree with ya John. I think we could have all predicted this decision. I wish Bronny well but I'm happy for Oregon and Dana's program not to have to deal with the circus that would have come with it. Thanks for the great column.

Expand full comment

Spot on assessment JC. Bronny appears to be a decent kid but he carries a boat load of baggage being LeBron's son. It would have been a situation of too-much-for-a-nickle, not-enough-for-a-dime had Bronny chosen Oregon. Altman dioesn't need that; at the very least it would not fit the culture he knows works best and is trying to resurect.

Expand full comment

I had to chuckle at that column...Dana Altman was NOT going to double down on the issues that have plagued the last 2 teams. Transfer portal players with me me me attitudes. THAT would've most certainly accompanied signing La China's son. Dana's an excellent coach, but sometimes it just doesn't matter because a player is so stuck in their own little world they're uncoachable.

Expand full comment

“This is the first one out of the James gang to go to college,” LeBron said. “Obviously, his dad didn’t go to school. His mom didn’t go to college.

Translation: I proud my son picked a minor league "one and done school" to play one year for, especially one where sports corruption rules the day, since I will push the Lakers to draft him in a year so I can fulfill my last fantasy of playing with son in the NBA. As far as actual education, well who needs that, why just look at me, and since Bronny is going to the U of Spoiled Children he can just take a couple of "wink, wink" classes, join a frat and party for a year...works for me!

Expand full comment
founding

Whew!!! Altman thankfully dodged a bullet. From what I see/read Dana Altman a pretty good guy and a very decent coach. Dan Lanning has done well by bringing back former players and building community and comradery from that vantage point. Doing so makes Eugene the "Hometown" that everyone wants to be part of It would serve Altman well to do the same. Pritchard is current and the kind of kid/player that makes communities "bind" and enthusiasm rise. Unfortunately, Brooks has some public persona issues at the moment be he too has the work ethic. Bring back the entire team that made Sweet/Elite and build from there. Make it an event that garners "National Headlines" Marketing campaigns to the world is also what recruits are looking for. So how about some "glam" like "Knight court, where "OP" (Opponent Pate) is Made". Thanks for the article

Expand full comment

Thanks for another great column, John. Bronnie’s decision made too much sense. This is his comfort zone. He seems like a great young man. I hope he finds success there and enjoys those long trips.

If he doesn’t turn in to a superstar, I doubt that his father will be all that disappointed. He has many alternative paths he can take and more power to him.

Expand full comment

Forgive me for this being off topic, but it does involve sports celebrity, I and do agree Oregon (if they were ever in the hunt) dodged a bullet. For the past several days I have been dogged by an intuitive sense that Colorado football is going to be a replay of the Brooklyn Nets. A very rich mix of talent that just doesn't blend that well. John, you or anyone else sense this? Just askin'? Charlie

Expand full comment
May 8, 2023·edited May 8, 2023

why? why do I want someone else's opinion of racism, and bigotry? Especially a Caucasian female who grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth?? I grew up very poor in a huge housing project in my grade school years. My friends were of every color of the rainbow and of every persuasion and "class". and I did not care...I/we accepted each other for what we were, not what we looked like. I've seen bigotry and racism of every kind. I know it when I see it. And bigots come in all forms and colors.

Expand full comment