Basketball Update II: Flaming Hawk retired, for now

Say goodbye to the Flaming Hawk, for now.

Bruin guard Russell Westbrook came to the Morgan Center for an interview session today, resplendent in a conservative, close-cropped hairstyle, mock turtleneck and a pair of non-prescription, black-rimmed glasses that gave him a bookish appearance well beyond his 19 years.

Will he have another wild style to share before the end of the season? "Maybe, maybe not," he said. Claiming his new look wasn’t anything special, he just said he was "switching styles, all the time."

On the court, he said he’s feeling no ill effects of having played the most minutes on the team, averaging 33.3 per game. "I think I’m in good shape. Over the summer, I’ve been working hard –- running and on the bike and things like that."

He’s looking forward to the George Washington game; he’s well aware that they’re a pressing team and he’ll be in the thick of the action.

Injured guard Michael Roll is enthusiastic about being so close to being able to play again. "A lot of it is mental," he said. "If the doctors clear me to play, then I should be able to be all right."

He has some worry about reinjuring his foot, possibly on a quick move or a cut, but "I hope to avoid that." Roll said, "It’s just kind of day by day. [Tomorrow’s game against GWU] might be it, but it might not, so I don’t know. If I’m dressed for warmups, then I’m probably going to play." He’s changed the way his foot is taped and continues to have special insoles in his shoes.

Once he does get back on the court, his primary concern will be "getting my game legs back in shape. I’m feeling like I’m in pretty good shape, but there’s nothing to tell that for a game; it’s always different. So that’s just going to take time."

Roll was conspicuous on television during the Bruin games in the CBE Classic in Kansas City, wearing a shirt and tie on the bench for both games. Asked why, since he usually wears casual clothes for home games, he said, "The home games are more of a casual thing, a familiar environment. But on the road, it’s big games, national television; I just felt it was necessary to be prepared on the bench, give that significance to the games."

But he added quickly, "I want to get back in uniform, though."

Russell Westbrook photo courtesy UCLA.