OT: Kevin Love possibly available in the near future?

[Nikolokolus]

With all of the angst that Lamarcus seems to cause a good portion of the fan base and with the debates we've had in the past this little snippet from the rumors page on ESPN got my attention: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors/_/date/20101028#19061

When the Minnesota Timberwolves shipped Al Jefferson to the Utah Jazz this offseason, the belief was that the move was made to make power forward Kevin Love -- who didn't fit well alongside the similarly-skilled Jefferson -- a focal point of the team in 2010-11.

Well, that didn't last long. Love was benched for the final eight and a half minutes of the T-Wolves' one-point loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Love finished with only 24 minutes, while reserve Anthony Tolliver played 28. Coach Kurt Rambis said the move had to do with Tolliver's stellar defensive play, and not anything that Love -- widely considered to be his team's best player -- was doing wrong.

However, Tom Ziller of FanHouse.com notes that the Love-less defense gave up 18 points on 16 possessions down the stretch with the power forward out of the game. Ziller adds that with the move making little practical sense, it appears as though Rambis is trying to somehow distance himself from Love. "I'm sitting here wondering how long it will be until K-Love is run out of town the way Al Jefferson was," Ziller writes.

Love didn't talk to reporters after the game, but it's safe to say that the forward is unhappy with being banished to the bench during the game's most critical portion. If this situation doesn't get fixed quickly, it wouldn't be shocking to see Love start to clamor for a trade.

So don't take this as some kind of K-Love for LMA trade prop thread, but I am curious if people around here still have any interest in the guy.

Personally I'm mostly ambivalent about what the swap would mean for this team in terms of wins and losses, but given the health concerns about Oden going forward and just how available he might or might not be in the future and Love's skillset (elite rebounder, so-so defender, great passer and good high post player) I have to say it would be tempting.

 

[MickZagger]

C'mon Cho. Lets do this!

More than anything this shows me how worthless of a coach Rambis is.

 

[hasoos]

There is not nearly enough information in that paragraph to make a good judgment about what really happened. I think the only way you could really tell, is if you watched the game itself.

 

[MickZagger]

There is not nearly enough information in that paragraph to make a good judgment about what really happened. I think the only way you could really tell, is if you watched the game itself.

I watched a lot of the game. It was after Love drained his second 3 that he found a place on the bench.

The situation in Minnesota is such a mess. Glenn Taylor is a fool, he's hired McHale and Kahn recently, two of the most incompetent GM's in the league.

Look up and down that roster, its a shit show.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

The Webster fiasco probably fucked up our chances at Kevin Love.

 

[julius]

Yay, he's a "local kid", let's obsess over him!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Dunleavy to Love for the dunk! Do it Cho!

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I like him much more than Aldridge, who rarely shows up. LaMarcus may now be my least liked player after last season's playoffs and this year. The guy has no testicles.

 

[RoyToy]

No.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Kevin Love >> LaMarcus Aldridge

LMA, For being nearly 7-foot compared to Love at 6'9" their blk% are nearly identical since Love came into the League. Kevin is literally twice the rebounder as LaMarcus.

I can't wait to see HCP's response to this thread!

 

[Wheels]

I like him much more than Aldridge, who rarely shows up. LaMarcus may now be my least liked player after last season's playoffs and this year. The guy has no testicles.

I do notice I usually single out one player who drives me crazy lol. 2 years ago Channing Frye almost caused me to pull my hair out. Last year it was Outlaw until he left, then it was Webster, until he started showing up with effort. I noticed last night I started yelling at LaMarcus more than anyone on the floor lol. Wonder if he is that for me this year as well.

 

[BGrantFan]

Hmm

Love can't even close out a game for a 15-win team, and people want to trade for him? Who else do the Blazers take in return, since the salaries don't match?

Martell?

 

[Pinwheel1]

I didn't realize how many blazer fans watched Minnesota Timberwolves basketball last year. I guess I better focus on the bottom of the division instead of the teams at the top. I did try, but their games were painful to watch.

 

[MickZagger]

Yay, he's a "local kid", let's obsess over him!

Just because he's a local kid you think thats why fans like him?

funny.

 

[Denny Crane]

Bayless for Love ought to get it done.

 

[julius]

Just because he's a local kid you think thats why fans like him?

funny.

It's why people, for a long time, kept wanting Mike Dunleavy Jr. It's why some people wanted Terrell Brandon, Damon Stoudamire and some others.

There are players who are better than Kevin Love that people don't get this one track mind over.

 

[RoyToy]

Love could be an interesting 6th man candidate. He doesn't belong in the starting lineup on a serious contender.

 

[MickZagger]

It's why people, for a long time, kept wanting Mike Dunleavy Jr. It's why some people wanted Terrell Brandon, Damon Stoudamire and some others.

There are players who are better than Kevin Love that people don't get this one track mind over.

Love is possibly available.

Its funny how people want to hate on the guy, but look what he does on the court. He produces. Its not his fault he was drafted into a horrible organization and plays for a coach who has proven that he has no clue what it takes to win.

Love is the most skilled rebounder in the league. Has range and a post game and is just as subpar defensively as what we have now defensively at PF. He doesn't disappear in games.

People fall in love with Aldridge's potential and stuff. But, he hasn't done anything differently in a couple years, he's only got a face up jumper, not a good rebounder and disappears in games. When playing against a physical presence he implodes.

I'm not just the type to hate on a Blazer player, just to hate either. The first two years for Aldridge I liked what we had at the 4 position. After being disappointed with no change in his game last year and his contract, I say we should explore our options.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Love is possibly available.

Its funny how people want to hate on the guy, but look what he does on the court. He produces. Its not his fault he was drafted into a horrible organization and plays for a coach who has proven that he has no clue what it takes to win.

Love is the most skilled rebounder in the league. Has range and a post game and is just as subpar defensively as what we have now defensively at PF. He doesn't disappear in games.

People fall in love with Aldridge's potential and stuff. But, he hasn't done anything differently in a couple years, he's only got a face up jumper, not a good rebounder and disappears in games. When playing against a physical presence he implodes.

I'm not just the type to hate on a Blazer player, just to hate either. The first two years for Aldridge I liked what we had at the 4 position. After being disappointed with no change in his game last year and his contract, I say we should explore our options.

Agreed. I've always like Aldridge's length and shooting touch, but he doesn't bring much to the court and way too often disappears going against weak competition. If I was Cho, I would actively look to upgrade at the PF position.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Yay, he's a "local kid", let's obsess over him!

Actually I thought he was going to be a collosal bust coming out of UCLA. I figured he'd be too slow, too ground bound and frankly too "white" to be an effective power forward. But thanks for sharing.

 

[BGrantFan]

Agreed. I've always like Aldridge's length and shooting touch, but he doesn't bring much to the court and way too often disappears going against weak competition. If I was Cho, I would actively look to upgrade at the PF position.

He's been double-teamed almost every time he's touched the ball on offense in the first two games. That actually brings a lot to the court, mainly Roy, Batum, and Rudy getting open looks from 3.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

He's been double-teamed almost every time he's touched the ball on offense in the first two games. That actually brings a lot to the court, mainly Roy, Batum, and Rudy getting open looks from 3.

He wasn't doubled much last night and played with a clear size advantage, despite not being able to take advantage of it.

 

[Denny Crane]

LMA had 10 rebounds last night. The Blazers destroyed the Clippers' bigs on the offensive boards. LMA also ran up court on a lot of fast breaks, which is great for a big man.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I really like Love, but many are clamoring for Love over LMA while at the same time saying we don't run enough. It seems like we need to pick one or the other.

 

[MickZagger]

^

Love is the best outlet passing big men in a long time. Its been one of his trademarks for a while now, Minnesota doesn't utilize this.

He's even worked with Wes Unseld on this aspect of his game, probably the best outlet passing big of all-time.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

^

Love is the best outlet passing big men in a long time. Its been one of his trademarks for a while now, Minnesota doesn't utilize this.

He's even worked with Wes Unseld on this aspect of his game, probably the best outlet passing big of all-time.

True enough, good point.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would... like... to get Love, but it all depends on what it would cost. I would like to get a guy who can play f/c and I think Love would be awesome for that role.

 

[Ed O]

I would... like... to get Love, but it all depends on what it would cost. I would like to get a guy who can play f/c and I think Love would be awesome for that role.

Yes. Exactly. Give him big money and 30 minutes a night in that role.

Ed O.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yes. Exactly. Give him big money and 30 minutes a night in that role.

Ed O.

And I realize that Camby can technically play both positions, but Love has a better overall offensive game by far, and he's a million times younger. Having Camby and Love would actually be a pretty great combo I think.