Was I frustrated with how Mara was used this season? Yes. Is it possible that he was never consistently healthy to be fully utilized? Probably also yes. Is the book closed on Mara? I hope not... but if you don't think he made any progress, if you watched UCLA-zona in 2023 and Mara against Ballo and Indiana this season and don't see progress on Mara's part... not sure what I can say
Was I frustrated with how Mara was used this season? Yes. Is it possible that he was never consistently healthy to be fully utilized? Probably also yes. Is the book closed on Mara? I hope not... but if you don't think he made any progress, if you watched UCLA-zona in 2023 and Mara against Ballo and Indiana this season and don't see progress on Mara's part... not sure what I can say
Yes, you are right and I actually do agree, Mara clearly did make strides.
Would he have made better strides under a different coach? That's my ultimate question... and I think Mara's decision, and the reasons he wanted to leave shows that he probably shares some of my beliefs. I think Mara will be developed better under a different coaching staff then at UCLA. Just like Watson was better suited to be developed by different coaches in the NBA
Neither of us were "in the room" to know how much truth there is in the "demands" letter and its likely the truth may lie somewhere in between, but while I'll grant you that Cronin doesn't have a track record with bigs, it's also possible that one of the biggest impediments to Mara's development - along with health - might very well be Mara if almost any of the listed "demands" are factual - or at least the hanger's on, agents, AAU-types, and let's call them "stage parents" who have given him an over-inflated sense of self-importance... it wouldn't be the first time, right? Again, neither of us know, but his lack of fitness in the early season and clearly watching him get gassed after a brief run on the floor at various points not related to mono/noro does suggest fitness and maniacal dedication aren't exactly a priority of his, lending some credence to thinking some of what's in that document is real.
I agree that Watson was anything but a success for UCLA - FWIW, I'd of considered an arc like that of Amari Bailey at UCLA would have been a success at UCLA even if Watson is currently having more early NBA success which is a different discussion.
Was I frustrated with how Mara was used this season? Yes. Is it possible that he was never consistently healthy to be fully utilized? Probably also yes. Is the book closed on Mara? I hope not... but if you don't think he made any progress, if you watched UCLA-zona in 2023 and Mara against Ballo and Indiana this season and don't see progress on Mara's part... not sure what I can say
Yes, you are right and I actually do agree, Mara clearly did make strides.
Would he have made better strides under a different coach? That's my ultimate question... and I think Mara's decision, and the reasons he wanted to leave shows that he probably shares some of my beliefs. I think Mara will be developed better under a different coaching staff then at UCLA. Just like Watson was better suited to be developed by different coaches in the NBA
Neither of us were "in the room" to know how much truth there is in the "demands" letter and its likely the truth may lie somewhere in between, but while I'll grant you that Cronin doesn't have a track record with bigs, it's also possible that one of the biggest impediments to Mara's development - along with health - might very well be Mara if almost any of the listed "demands" are factual - or at least the hanger's on, agents, AAU-types, and let's call them "stage parents" who have given him an over-inflated sense of self-importance... it wouldn't be the first time, right? Again, neither of us know, but his lack of fitness in the early season and clearly watching him get gassed after a brief run on the floor at various points not related to mono/noro does suggest fitness and maniacal dedication aren't exactly a priority of his, lending some credence to thinking some of what's in that document is real.
I agree that Watson was anything but a success for UCLA - FWIW, I'd of considered an arc like that of Amari Bailey at UCLA would have been a success at UCLA even if Watson is currently having more early NBA success which is a different discussion.