Just be glad I didn’t opt for “No Love For Love In Minny” with the above headline. “Is it possible for a player to be more appreciated by the U.S. National Team than by the second worst team in the NBA?” asks NBA.com’s John Schulman of Timberwolves F-C Kevin Love (above, left, promptly pointing OUT the UCLA product averaged less than 30 minutes a game last while while averaging more than 11 rebounds per game.
Love was asked Tuesday if he felt more appreciated with the U.S. Team than with the Timberwolves.
“Yes,” he responded. “Just a solid yes.”
But he was quick to clarify.
“I don’t want to come off sounding like a prima donna or sound like I’m complaining or anything,” Love said. “I just feel like, since I’ve been here, it’s really been a great team atmosphere. We feel like we have a chance to win this whole thing. I think everybody is just coming in with a great attitude and appreciating everybody as a whole, and really becoming a family.
“I’m just saying in a 15-win season, last year with the Timberwolves, a lot of stuff happened…a lot of new players…we had blown up that team. Heading into this year, we need to just start becoming a family, kind of like it is here, and integrate that family atmosphere into the Timberwolves.”
Winning certainly breeds a better atmosphere. And that will be for Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis and his staff to work on in October. For now, Love is focused on doing what Mike Krzyzewski wants from him: to grab every available rebound.
“For me, it’s going to be really attacking the glass on the offensive and defensive end, getting put-backs, getting extra possessions, knocking down the three ball, getting to the free-throw line and really being that international presence at the four or five spot,” Love said.