LETTERS
Kruger puts life back into UNLV basketball program
To the sports editor:
I have never been so happy to be proven wrong. As a second-generation, lifelong Rebels fan, I am enjoying my large bowl of crow today.
Las Vegas has been waiting for a coach to put the team back on the map in college basketball, and in Lon Kruger’s first two years, I thought the team was mediocre.
But he has revived the team into a Top 25 program with stability. After a 30-win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, Kruger landed 7-foot recruit Beas Hamga over two college basketball dynasties (Kentucky and Indiana).
After years of criticism, Kruger has shown that maybe he knew what he was doing. It feels good to be excited about Rebel basketball in May.
Ryan Looney
To the sports editor:
How exciting to read the news and see the (Page 1A) cover photo of 7-foot UNLV recruit Beas Hamga in Tuesday’s Review-Journal. Even more exciting was to read Thursday that Hamga had signed with the school.
But it’s not just about getting a player who is tall and ranked prominently. It’s about what Rebels coach Lon Kruger is doing to put the program back on the national map. Last week, UNLV was mentioned in the same sentence as Kentucky and Indiana.
A lot of Rebels fans were skeptical when Kruger was hired three years ago.
They got someone who can coach and recruit … and win.
Marty Davidson
Bonds might catch Aaron, but he still would trail Oh
To the sports editor:
Every morning I see a header at the top of the Review-Journal Sports (cover) page titled “CHASING HANK AARON.” It states Barry Bonds is closing in on the all-time home run record set by Aaron.
This can’t be further from the truth, and I am tired of seeing it. One must look past the American borders to find it. Sadaharu Oh, formerly of the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese League, is the all-time greatest home run hitter. He finished with 113 more homers than Aaron. He led the Japanese League in homers 15 times.
Give Bonds credit, but don’t overdo it. He soon will be the greatest home run hitter in Major League Baseball and second in world history overall — but nothing more.
Randy Minagil
HENDERSON
To the sports editor:
I would like to thank the Review-Journal for featuring Barry Bonds’ pursuit of Hank Aaron’s home run record at the top of the daily Sports section.
Since this feature first appeared, that cheating SOB Bonds hasn’t homered once. Here’s hoping he’s jinxed all season, and beyond.
Tim Gallagher
Stephen A. Smith, quite frankly, an irritating fool
To the sports editor:
Usually “Remote Control” TV-radio sports columnist Bill Taaffe and I are in agreement on the subject of announcers and commentators, but I must take great exception to his opinion of Stephen A. Smith, formerly of ESPN’s “Quite Frankly” and now working as an NBA studio analyst.
This screaming clown is only slightly less irritating than “motormouth” Chris Berman, Mel “Have I Ever Got ESPN Fooled” Kiper and Stuart “Ebonics” Scott, who has decided that nobody but blacks watch “SportsCenter.”
But keep up the great work, Bill. I love your column.
Jack Kirkey
The Review-Journal welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be 150 words or less and must include the author’s name and phone number. Send letters to: Letters to the Sports Editor, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. Letters also can be e-mailed to: jhawk@reviewjournal.com.
