Rumor Mill: Leonard Washington To Transfer
by Joey Kaufman on Mar 16, 2010 10:07 PM PDT
in USC Basketball
46 comments
It would be more than fair to say that Kevin O'Neill has never been known as a "player's coach." After all, O'Neill has had relatively short stays at nearly every college program he's been at, and during his last stint before ending up at USC, Arizona, O'Neill alienated just about everyone involved with the program before his departure, notably future pros Jerryd Bayless and Chase Budinger. One such former player, who spoke anonymously, once said:
"He's a great guy off the court, but he's bipolar or something. On the court, he's a madman."
Suffice to say, O'Neill has always been a little nutty. His relationships with players and university administrations have always been a little shaky. He's certainly a bit brash, and more than rough around the edges. It's his coaching demeanor and aggressive personality that have always seemed to get him in trouble.
So with that being said, the recent rumors surrounding the possibility of current Trojan forward Leonard Washington transferring away from USC make perfect sense. According to Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com, Washington is leaving 'SC because he didn't "mesh well" with O'Neill. And based on O'Neill's past relationships with players, this shouldn't come as a big surprise.
As per Pedro Moura of ESPNLosAngeles.com, a spat between Washington and O'Neill took place on March 7, nearly a month after the Louisiana native reportedly cussed out the coach during the UCLA game played at Galen Center on Valentine's Day. Moura also added that the two had a meeting on March 12, yet USC's SID has not confirmed whether a decision has been made on Washington's future.
Nonetheless, this latest incident is a disturbing sign regarding the future of O'Neill's tenure at USC. I'm not sure any Trojan fan, myself included, was ever 100% sold on K.O. turning this program around or even achieving the same success that Tim Floyd enjoyed during his four years at the helm. So the idea that he's already having issues relating to players is not an encouraging event. By most accounts, Washington is a hard-nosed, gritty player who plays hard on both ends on the floor and has not had issues with coaches in the past. Suddenly, he chews out the coach? Something doesn't make sense. I'm hesitant to start pointing fingers when the whole story hasn't come out yet, but based on O'Neill's past history, it's hard not to take a long hard look at him.
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Well that totally sucks he is the KEY ingredient in the team winning next year.
Really after what happen this year with getting bitched on post season if washington transfers I finally GIVE-UP after 40 years of pulling for trojan basketball.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 16, 2010 10:17 PM PDT reply actions
I don't blame you at all
I’ve been following for about 9 years now and it can be rather infuriating at times. But I think if we can hire a good coach once KO gets sent packing we could be okay. But I feel that’s been said forever.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Mar 16, 2010 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank you for this article Joey, I'm feeling vindicated.
What did I tell you guys? The next shoe to drop will be Kid Euro going pro in Europe. I kept quiet during the season out of loyalty to USC but we need to face the reality that KO is a certifiable lunatic with an anger management problem. Now that he got rid of Gib Arnold and Phil Johnson who’s going to check his wild outbursts?
It looks like we’re stuck with KO for at least another year, and that’s plenty long enough for him to put the final nails in USC’s basketball coffin. Maybe he’ll do something really stupid to take himself out of the game sooner. I’d call Phil Johnson back and make Coop the head man.
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
This is funny
Based on a supposed incident, O’Neill is now a bad coach?
This seems a rather emotional evaluation of the whole situation, somebody seems to be jumping the gun here.
Don't think he is a bad coach but the pattern fits...
he is off his rocker
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
+1
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Clarification...
not a bad coach on defense…offense not so much.
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
Lono, your WeAreSc and SCplaybook style remarks dont belong here
We never claimed that KO was either a great or bad coach here. Joey is just raising a point that was well known and documented before KO coached his first game at USC.
We duly noted during the season that KO did a good job, but his team was very inconsistent – good against top teams, crappy vs OSUs and Wazzu’s of this world.
Washington has proven to be quite the "emotional" player in the past too
so I guess it’s not that surprising that these two would butt heads, especially if Washington never fully “bought in” to what KO was selling.
Washington would be a huge part of our chances at getting back to the tournament next year, so we may have to lean too much on freshman and transfers again next season.
I agree
Washington nailed Blake Griffin in the nuts during a game, and cussed out a ucla player who was offering him a hand back to his feet. He is a poor sport on the court, and subversive to the coach. Washington is more of the problem than O’Neil in my opinion.
I know both teams hate each other
but when someone offers to help you up, you don’t push their hand away and tell them to have sexual relations with their mother. Sportsmanship is a rare thing between USC and ucla.
Maybe he was referring to someone else's mother, well if that bothers you then you would have hated me in my early years of tennis.
But on the basketball court I was pretty tame, same with football and baseball.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 17, 2010 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Do you follow tennis or just play it? Or both?
by Julio Nievas on Mar 17, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Both, plus I have taught it since 1975, played at Cerritos College then CSUDH Naia runners-up 77.
I have had student play for LBSU and Cal Poly (2 time all am), coached the first academy in socal.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 17, 2010 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
So.Cal is a tennis man!
I played competitively as a jr in TX (ranked in the 50s in 14s) and was captain of my HS team.
Whose your favorite player of all-time, Paul? Mine is Mac. Tennis just hasn’t been the same since Mac and Jimmy left. Roger almost makes it look to easy. Wish we had another great American since Andy can’t seem to get to the top in this era.
Euros are unmatched
The Nadal-Federer duels are freakin awesome.
by Julio Nievas on Mar 17, 2010 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep Federer is the modern day Sampras he has classic style and doesn't over do it.
Nadal great player but bad form is killing him, plus doesn’t have the weapons and game Roger does. That is why he is getting injured has to do to many Radical shots to stay on top. You can easily Rope a Dope players like him, unlike Roger. Mac and Brad Gilbert (the human sponge) would have worked Nadal especially with wooden rackets.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 17, 2010 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Doesn't over do it?
Have you seen this guy celebrate after winning an open? He acts like he’s one his first. I don’t know, to me, he over does his celebration? Does he deserve it? Yeah, sure… But come on dude, everyone knows you’re the best in the world…
Anyway, you can’t criticize Nadal’s play when healthy. The man hits the ball in a unique way. I heard the the revolutions on the ball he hits tops out in an incredible number. He’s solved Federer and Federer CANNOT beat a healthy Nadal.
by Julio Nievas on Mar 18, 2010 12:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I am not talking about celebration but stroke production thats all.
65% of todays players over react after winning, especially the Williams Sistras and Bitchapova (share)
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 18, 2010 5:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes
but, not as much since Kournikova retired. :) seriously though, women’s tennis is by far the best female sport. graphite racquets hurt the men’s game but helped the women’s game immensely.
Kournikova was hot
But that’s it… Oh and besides being OK in doubles… But yeah, you have to admire those Russians. Dementieva does it for me :)
by Julio Nievas on Mar 18, 2010 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Dallas Jonny Mac all the way and Robert Vant Hof downey home grown and USC .
The year Mac played at stanford, Elliot Telcher was at fucla and Vant hof SC. They were 1, 2, 3 in junior 18s the year before, with Vant hof taking Burlingame, ca, and Mac taking Kalamazo. Wow that is a nice ranking, did you ever come out to cali and play. Oh by the way I love Newcomes tennis ranch great clay courts.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 17, 2010 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
CLK should draft him
We could use a big athletic safety and ballhawk. Leonard is more likely to make it in the NFL than in the NBA.
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Agree
Leonard has been a troubled player with the academic probation and on-court issues. He obviously needs a firm hand and some discipline. I believe that KO is probably justified in being tough on Leonard.
This is just a rumor as of right now. Leonard is at a crossroads. Stay, endure, mature, develop, become a better man. Or, run away and leave.
From what I have heard, the rest of the players loved KO.
I am sure the disagreement was probably about skipping tutoring or class.
Since Lenny has a hard time with the books, maybe he is going to europe.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 17, 2010 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
I just can’t accept this is “our guy” after we had our first real coach (practically since Bob Boyd) take us to the dance three years in a row.
Btw, I will always remember Bob Boyd’s words to me and Lawyer John at Staples last year. We were behind at halftime in the Tournament Championship game and all seemed lost. LJ and I spotted Coach Boyd in front of the concession stand and asked him what he thought; he said we would win. Really? We asked. And then Bob told us that Tim Floyd was the best coach USC had ever had… WOW. Tim Floyd turned our guys into warriors in second half, and they proceeded to dismantle the Sun Devils to win the Pac-10 Tourney.
It was the single most exciting USC sporting event I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to many). Thank you Coach Floyd, we will never forget.
Mike Garret destroyed it all.
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!
Great story. Man, that tournament was pure grit and determination for our basketball team! I’m a Timmeh-fan. Not really before he became our bbal HC, but I am now and hopefully, forever.
Fight On!
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 17, 2010 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
+1000
I’ll always have much love for Timmy, in the way that a diehard fan feels for a great coach. 3, 2, 1….Fire Mike Garrett!
Yah Bob was a great coach to bad they didn't make him AD.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 17, 2010 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Your first real coach
Has made USC a punchline all across the country. He also made the Chicago Bulls a punchline, made the NCAA establish a rule in his name, was run out of New Orleans in his first go around, was named by Slate as the worst coach, ever, is the “coach in waiting” for a Hornets team lead by Chris Paul that will not make the playoffs this year.
And he saw the team implode last year before the Pac 10 tournament run, made an “impassioned” speech to the players about loyalty before high-tailing to an interview for the Arizona job.
Yes, he’s USC’s first real coach since Bob Boyd.
Amnesia can be a wonderful thing.
He's baaaaaaack...
I knew this would bring you out from under your rock.
Who at USC gives a rat’s ass about the Chicago Bulls? The Hornets all of a sudden suck because of TF? And Slate Magazine? Puhleeze, is that all you’ve got Desmo? Yeah, TF looked at Arizona, so what? It’s not like he wasn’t getting stabbed in the back by Mike Garrett.
In any case, it’s not like you’re on the KO bandwagon, right? You’re on the Desmo wagon and there’s only room for one.
Three in a row, it’s going to be a long time before that happens again muchacho.
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Weren't we just talking about CSN&Y the other day?
It’s “Deja Vu” all over again.
Zeke! Happy New Year! (man, it HAS been a long time)
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 17, 2010 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Just NY, but same diff…
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Same diff?????????????
Whatever happened to that Buckeye Bubba dude? or Buckwheat Hobo? or Bucktooth Rojo? what was he called again.
Buddy! That’s right!
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 17, 2010 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Classic AD interference like Bibby before him.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 17, 2010 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Desmo/Zoulou = Obnoxious know-it-all loudmouth “fan.” His prime directive: Hate on Tim Floyd. He only follows USC sports because his “girlfriend” has some connection. Pompous windbag would be more at home with the BN mob, maybe IS one of them.
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
We are reminded anew of Desmo's world
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
I didn't mean to suggest O'Neill is a bad coach
He’s a fantastic guy with Xs and Os, primarily when it comes to defense. But his player management skills have been shaky in the past and this clearly isn’t an encouraging sign for the program. Not the end of the world by any means. But, when you’re trying to build a program, it isn’t necessarily beneficial to have guys running a muck.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
lets be honest though... how many guys transferred under floyd? 7-8?
At USC we're not snobs, we're just better than you.
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