There is a rumor going around today that the Lakers have offered Pau Gasol (Poopface) to the Timberwolvers for the no. 2 overall pick and Kevin Love. I can't see any reason why the Timberwolves would do this, but some rumors think it's just a starting point, and it could be Pau straight up for Love. That really still doesn't make a lot of sense to me from the perspective of the Timberwolves. Kevin Love is just 22 years old and averaged 20 points and 15 boards a game, and you are going to trade that for the 30 year old Poopface?
I still think someway, somehow Dwight Howard will end up in a Lakers uniform. It just feel right to me. Then again, the Lakers pulled off a silly trade to get Poopface in the first place, so maybe the can make the Timberwolves make a Kevin Garnett-like trade again.
"I do have interest in the NBA, but not as in right away," he's quoted as saying. "I signed a six-year contract with a buyout option after the second season. If I leave this year I would have to pay an amount of money and that's it. It's a unilateral decision that I have to make, although if I had to leave at any time, I would talk to the club and the NBA franchise, which is currently Minnesota."
The article also notes that Rubio has indicated the lockout will be "an important issue" when making a decision on whether or not to come over for next season (ESPN)."
People (myself included) kind of forget that the Timberwolves drafted Ricky Rubio. The Wolves still say they expect him to be in their uniform at the start of next season, but with all this uncertainty with a lockout that might not be the case. Judging my his comments there it doesn't sound like he is in a huge rush.
One guy who is trying to get him over is Kevin Love...
"I still text him every now and then," Love said. "Not too often, once or twice a month. I've always said I hope he comes over sooner rather than later so we can get this thing started (ESPN)."
Damn right he wants to "get it started", because whenever his contract is up you better believe he is going to run for the hills. So, if Rubio wants to play with a player like Kevin Love he better hurry up.
KEVIN LOVE - Power Forward, Minnesota Timberwolves
Being trapped on the perennially terrible Timberwolves hasn't stopped Kevin Love from making this list, nor has it stopped him from becoming one of the best power forwards in the NBA. In fact Kevin Love seems to be succeeding in spite the ineptitude of his head coach, Kurt Rambis, his GM David Kahn and the lack of overall talent on the roster.
Love is considered by many analysts and fans to be a "throwback" type of PF talent, in that he hangs hit hat on rebounding and low post play, not the face up perimeter game that is utilized by so many modern power forwards. His outlet passes after a defensive rebound have drawn comparisons to the great Wes Unseld, and indeed he was a player Love looked up to as a youngster.
Rebounding is surely his hallmark trait. On November 12, Love put up a staggering stat line against the New York Knicks with 31 points and 31 rebounds. The 30-30 night was the 19th in NBA history, and the first in the league since Moses Malone did it in 1982. His 31 rebounds were the most since Charles Barkley grabbed 33 rebounds in 1996.
While he is best known for his rebounding, Love has developed an overall game and has even added deep shooting range to his repertoire this season. Perhaps no stat shows that all-around impact better than his league leading efficiency rating of 29.6, besting the likes of Dwight Howard and Lebron James in that category. He is averaging 21.6 points per game to go along with his league leading 15.6 rebounds per game. Love is also one of only a handful of 20 point scorers to be shooting 3s at a clip of 40% or better at 44%. If you think that percentage is a result of low attempts you'd be wrong as he averages more than 3 3PA each game.
Love is one of many NBA players this season who seem to have benefited tremendously from his time on Team USA over the summer, competing in the World Championships with Coach K. Also on that roster were Russell Westbrook, Rudy Gay, Steph Curry and Tyson Chandler who are all seeing great improvements in their play. Team USA won the gold medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, defeating Turkey in the medal game. Love along with many of his teammates on that squad has expressed an interest in joining members of the "Redeem Team" from the 2008 Olympics in London for the 2012 games.
Love's 2010-2011 season has finally put him on the map, as he hopes to be a coaches selection for the All-Star game (and would be a total snub if left off the roster) and he is a big part of a new regime of young talent in the NBA. By most accounts, Love has a very likable personality, and has been a guest of the B.S. Report podcast with Bill Simmons on a number of occasions. He seems to be an athlete that doesn't take himself too seriously and has a good sense of humor.
Just 22 years of age, Kevin Love has many good seasons ahead of him in the NBA - although for his sake hopefully not too many more in Minnesota.
I love it.
*Editor's note - Didn't plan it this way, but #24 was 24 years of age, #23 23 years of age and #22 22 years of age...no word yet on if #21 is 21 or not. Weird.
The Timberwolves and Grizzlies made a deal in which Memphis gets OJ Mayo, Marco Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins. Is it me or has Kevin McHale lost his mind. OJ Mayo and Al Jefferson seemed like they would have been a great inside outside duo, but instead it is going to be Kevin Love and Al Jefferson. I don't like it for the Wolves, but I think Memphis got an excellent cornerstone for their franchise. As much as I love Kevin Love, I think he has way more bust potential then Mayo.
I just don't get it. If Kevin Mchale wanted to draft Love he should have just done it with the third pick, or is Mike Miller that big of an addition?
Chad Ford says McHale got the better end of the deal, but I don't see it.
Freshman sensation Kevin Love has declared himself to the NBA, Love is 6-10, 270 pounds, and averaged 17 points and 10 boards. I love kevin Love and believe he will be a Brad Miller at worst in the NBA. Speedy guard Darren Collison is also leaving UCLA to go to the association. Collison is 6 foot and 160 pounds and is extremely quick. In his junior year he averaged 14 points and 4 assists. I foresee him being a Bobby Jackson type of player in the NBA.
