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Kevin Love talks to Dan Patrick about his rookie duties, comparisons to O.J. Mayo, going up against Shaq and Tim Duncan, and getting an autograph for his brother from Kobe (audio).
The most likely way to dramatically cut payroll is to trade Tyson Chandler, who is having a slight drop-off from last year's career peak for him, but who is still young and very very good in the middle. Chandler will make $25 million over the two years after this one. The Wolves could trade them Collins ($6 m, expiring this year), McCants ($2.6 m, expiring this year with an restricted FA match for next year) and Corey Brewer or Carney plus the second-round in Europe, Pekovic--hell, throw in Craig Smith and a couple of those first round draft picks The Hornets could save $10 m annually by losing Chandler and plugging in Hilton Armstrong at center. If they are financially strapped, perhaps they'd consider it, provided we toss enough expiring deals and draft picks at them. A three man frontcourt rotation of Chandler, Love and Jefferson pretty much covers all contingencies in terms of style and size matchups. And what now looks like a lost season would be at least partially regained.
Ric: Quite honestly, I'm surprised by that. I'm surprised that he didn't get a look, just because part of the All-Star game is to get as many teams involved and as many fans interested, and I would have to think that the league would want to have Minnesota represented in some way, shape, or form. Here's my thing with the All-Star game: it's for the fans, it is a glorified exhibition on a variety of levels, so equating with who is best in the league, I believe we've fallen too much into that. Quite honestly, for me the All-Rookie team at the end of the year and the All-NBA selection, those are the hallmarks and the watermarks of who are truly the best players in the league or who are the best rookies in the league. So, if Kevin is named an All-Rookie at the end of the year, I guarantee you he'll take that over having played in the Rookie-Sophomore game any day of the week.
In sum, he needs to inject some razzle-dazzle into his offense, especially in the low-post. Since he's obviously discomforted by having to load and shoot in a much quicker fashion than he did at UCLA, he also needs to develop a workable arsenal of jab steps, step-back shots, pull-and-fade jumpers and cross-over moves. Unfortunately, there's little that can be done to make Love quicker on his feet, but he'll eventually learn how to play acceptable defense by learning his opponents' favorite moves.
All of these goodies, however, still have to be unearthed by long offseason hours in the gym spent with the proper NBA gurus.
At this stage in his neophyte career though, Kevin Love isn't much more than a capable big man.
The Wall Street Journal includes a photo of Wolves mascot Chomper and an NBA ref in a list of "Pictures Of The Day."
A tough job just got tougher with Al Jefferson's torn ACL. Still, the Timberwolves are definitely better since McHale moved from the front office to the bench. They've lost four straight and their momentum is all but gone. McHale deserves a shot to coach this team next year (if he wants it) when they can make a serious run at the playoffs.
Rookie Kevin Love and veteran Jason Collins could see more action for Minnesota, which is pretty much out of contention anyway with a lowly 17-33 record. There is no doubt, though, Jefferson will be missed after he was enjoying such a prosperous 2008-09 campaign, his second full season with Minnesota. Jefferson leads the team in points (23.1), rebounds (11.0), field goal percentage (49.7) and blocks (1.7). He has recorded six straight double- doubles and ended with 25 points and 14 boards in the loss to New Orleans.
Jefferson has started all 50 games this season and owns 30 double-doubles, keeping pace with some of the NBA's best big men such as Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan and Garnett.
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