By Joel Flom
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 18, 1998

McCoy should come clean to himself

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Joel Flom

He was a fierce competitor on the court. Once he got the ball in the paint, everyone in attendance knew that he was going to try to dunk. Hard. Any way, any how. On people, over people, through people, it didn't matter.

On defense, he got the same adrenaline rush sitting near the basket, waiting for the chance to swat away any shot that came near him.

Needless to say, UCLA junior center Jelani McCoy was someone you did not want to mess with.

"He brings a different kind of intensity to the game," UA senior Michael Dickerson said.

Well, McCoy's days of strutting in a Bruins uniform after a monster jam are over. McCoy resigned from the team Sunday, complaining in a statement "that the intense media scrutiny and pressure that he has endured for many months has exacted a toll on himself and his family which was proving to be disruptive to his ability to concentrate on playing basketball."

The intimidator has become the intimidated, claiming he could no longer handle the pencil-pushing types who were curious as to why he had played minimal minutes in the past few UCLA games.

I guess the tough guy is not all he makes himself out to be.

McCoy had brought a lot of the attention on himself, beginning his junior season when he was suspended for violating team rules. News reports said he had failed a drug test, testing positive for marijuana. He missed the first nine games before being conveniently reinstated one game before the Pacific 10 Conference season began. Despite leading the conference in blocked shots while placing himself third in field goal percentage and sixth in rebounds, McCoy had seen his playing time dwindle over the past few games. The rumor mill began to spin, with reports stating that McCoy's days as a Bruin were numbered.

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat UCLA junior center Jelani McCoy (34) has the ball stripped from him in a layup after the triple teaming effort of Bennett Davison (21), Michael Dickerson (23) and Mike Bibby (10) during the two team's match up in January. McCoy quit the team Sunday, giving intense media scrutiny as the reason for his departure.

"I would think that nothing would be more distracting than not knowing either way," head coach Lute Olson said. "I am sure they are relieved to have a decision."

The decision has been made, but it is hard to swallow the excuse offered up to explain why the former first team All-Pac-10 selection would no longer be sporting his number 34. Bad boy McCoy can't handle some questions from reporters? Sorry, but I think everyone can see through the smoke screen McCoy is trying to create.

"I cannot comment on that," Dickerson replied when asked about McCoy. "We all have opinions. I have an opinion. You have an opinion."

Yes, I do. I don't buy the media scrutiny mumbo-jumbo for a second. Sorry, but I really doubt a reporter with a notebook and recorder in one hand and a pencil in the other can have such an impact on someone that they throw away all chances of becoming a national champion or improving their status for the NBA draft.

Imagine that McCoy failed another drug test and UCLA realized that they had better learn how to play without McCoy before the tournament. (Officials test players frequently during the championships). Suppose UCLA gave McCoy the choice of either leaving the team or being thrown off it. In an attempt to save face, McCoy took the first option, but failed to be the man that he pretends to be on the court, placing the blame on journalists instead of confessing to the fact that he can't stop doing his Smokey from Friday impersonation.

"It's too bad," junior center A.J. Bramlett said. "I hope he gets his things together."

The sad truth is, he probably won't get his act together. Instead, he will declare himself eligible for the draft, where some team will take a chance on him in the early second round. In the NBA he will be able to smoke as much as he wants with his new found Benjamins, for the NBA tends to turn its heads when it comes to pot use. Their policy - just don't let the police find out.

Don't think a lot of ballers in the NBA smoke out? Consider how often someone is busted at the airport with a gram, or pulled over and roaches are found in the ashtray. Hell, Chris Webber of the Washington Wizards was recently busted for driving under the influence of marijuana. The kicker - he was on his way to practice.

So, instead of getting help in kicking his habit McCoy has taken the low road, placing the blame of his demise on journalists instead of standing up to the fact that he has a problem. And why not? Admitting he has a problem won't limit his options as pro.

Admitting he has a problem would instead force him to get help. Admitting he has a problem would make him the man be claims to be.