Flash wrote:
Well Rose did win the MVP last season and they made the ECF. The Wolves had the worst record in the league last season.

Personally I just think Love is not that likeable of a person and irks many people that he doesn't play defense, which conveniently gets glossed over. Generally, all the best players in the league play at least good defense and in most cases stellar D.

Rubio has the charisma and "it" factor that Love lacks. Everyone loves Rubio.

College Wolf wrote:
How has Howard not had at least as good of a supporting cast every year as the Wolves have now?

Howard's teams had losing records for each of his first 3 seasons, during which he started every game but one. They squeaked into the playoffs in 06-07, and Howard had Grant Hill, a healthy Hedo, and Jameer Nelson as teammates. It wasn't until they picked up Rashard Lewis and got a competent coach (SVG replaced Brian Hill in 2007) that they started winning so many games.

It's not like Howard is capable of winning all these games on his own. He is surrounded by good shooters and their team has a sensible game plan.

Flash wrote:
Well, speaking for myself, I tend not to be incredibly optimistic in general, I'm pretty 'realistic' - definitely not a pessimist. I think Love is great and could reach all those heights Wolfenstein thinks he has reached. But I try to step back and think objectively. If I was in charge, who knows if I'd pull the trigger on Ibaka and Harden for Love. I would, however, have to really consider it. Also, I've seen what wins championships and with the exception of last year (Dirk), championship teams often have long defensive anchors in the front court. That said, I will be very curious to see how Love's game translates to the playoffs. When Love's been Faried'ed this year (played super physical, given little room to breathe, matched up against someone quicker and just as strong) he looks very pedestrian. What happens when defenses tighten up?

Let's revisit how awesome you/we all think Love is after he's had some experience in real games against competition that is going all out and game planning with playoff level defense.

I don't know what by Love is not likeable. Hard worker who gets better every year. Very inteliegent guy too (looks for me).

And let's be honest, Rubio will never be on Love's level. It's not that he's much younger then Love. And good point guards are much easier to find.

Flash wrote:
so much fail here...

I think you are severely overrating Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Hedo (was actually pretty good for a few years though), 06-07 Grant Hill, and anyone else that has been on the Magic during Dwight Howard's time there.

The whole reason those guys are shooting wide open 3's is because the other team has to pack the paint to try to stop Howard.

daddyfatsax wrote:
Your comment is a fail (no arguments).

daddyfatsax wrote:
Fair point man. Fair point.

As far as RH saying Love isn't likable, I like the fact that he's kind of a dick right now, walks into the press conference after destroying LMA and Blake in consecutive games and says "This is my time." That's Kobe/MJ/Paul Pierce attitude right there. Alpha male. Stomp on your face, puttin-on-the-man-pants attitude. Bout fricking time someone on our roster's balls dropped.

I know I am being superlative in my description of Love, but in all honesty you have to look at him statistically at some point and acknowledge that if he keeps on doing what he's doing for another 10 years, his career is at least statistically better than any PF in recent years except Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, and possibly KG. Just look at last year and this year and ponder that, that's all I'm saying. I hope it translates to playoff appearances and wins, obviously.

Look, the big reason I am so much more optimistic right now is because I saw something Love couldn't do last year (create his own shot), and I didn't understand how he would be able to do so given his limited lift and relatively average post footwork, and I just watched him create his own shot like young Tim Duncan by using leverage, strategy, and outsmarting his opponents. That earns lots of respect in my book.

roundhouse wrote:
Yes, but they make their open shots. Timberwolves? Not so much. And last year's stats don't count- Rambis had a Win Share rating of -40 as a coach.

wolfenstein wrote:
F*ck Tim Duncan. Love is already better than Duncan ever was. F*ck it. That man is so old and sloppy now I root against him more than ever. If any Spurs fans are reading this - go f*ck yourselves. Cotdamn Spurs owning the KG-Wolves every year for 10-something years.

Wolfystein, what can Kung Fu Panda work on this summer to get even better? Daddy has 5 things, in order:
1) Shut the f*ck up complaining.

2) watch tons of tape of KG, Duncan, Perkins, Sheed, Cliff Robinson, Chuck Hayes, etc. to learn how they move across the lane, where they keep their arms, how they play the PNR, how they guard large areas and multiple players at once, etc. This is the hardest and a good coach has to have a number of unique drills in his back of tricks to work on this. DFS's famous variations of "Jump-to-the-ball" left many a St. Paul high schooler crying in defeat when they realized how difficult it is to play real D.

3) Shut the f*ck up complaining.

4) perfect the jump hook. It's the only shot he'll consistently get off in the post. Use your body big fella, use your off arm, and drop that sumbitch in the bucket.

5) Shut the f*ck up complaining

daddyfatsax wrote:
No arguments from me. For all the complaining though, when it came time to go last night, Love did STFU and went right at K-Mart a couple three times and had his way.

He still complains but he's at least playing through it sometimes.

And yeah, his off the ball defense needs work like you said.

Flash wrote:
Agreed. It's unusual and annoying. It's as if Love has to become this God-like player who excels in EVERY category on a historic level and not just a few. Perhaps it's lingering feelings from the Rambis experience. Or that he doesn't look the part (a major factor) or dunk good. Who knows? I think people are forgetting the Wolves' performance is not a fluke. This team is good. 17-12 since Rubio was inserted into the starting lineup. Woah.

Enjoy what you have. James Harden is a dime-a-dozen caliber of player. Ibaka is a bit more rare. (Doesn't mean either aren't excellent). A player like Love is a once in a generation-type player, if that. Enjoy it while you can. Trade him if you have to in 3 years, but KEEP him if his value is high (duh). For once.

Sometimes it feels like Minny fans are so attached to rebuilding and taking backward steps because it's all we know...I just don't get it sometimes. Like these idiots on Twitter or elsewhere who are all about trading Beasley for a draft pick. What? One of our columnists, who doesn't post in the forums too often, wrote a piece recently on the front page about how he isn't following the team this year...what?! As opposed to last year? Seriously? It was an exceedingly odd piece to read.

To sensationalize and Wojnarowski-ize this situation: It sort of reminds me of abuse victims who keep dating abusers.

Nothing more to add.

WallyWorld wrote:
Wow. Interesting comparison. Invoking Stockholm Syndrome to explain why Timberwolves fans are so "Blah" about Kevin Love. I might have to nominate you for a Pulitzer.

FWIW I don't think Harden is a "dime-a-dozen" type of player, and Ibaka is clearly very good. But those guys are borderline All Stars. However, Love is a hands down All-NBA 1st team this year and he is a borderline MVP candidate. You all are smoking crack if you think that there is another PF who's close.

Howard
Love
Durant/LeBron
Kobe/Wade
Rose

That is Love's "tier." It's stupefying to watch him achieve this, and even more so to watch him achieve it and see the so-called fans deny that it's happening. If Love could walk on water, this group would complain about his poor swimming.

wolfenstein wrote:
Yeah I wasn't totally clear. Harden is not dime a dozen relative to the NBA, etc. He is a fine player. I just mean high scoring shooting guards come along all the time. Every year in fact. A player like Love does not, or rather, HAS not. That was what I meant.

And, again, Harden would be great on this team. But he only attracts attention/is valued because he happens to play for OKC. That is 100% the only reason why this specific conversation is even happening. On any other bad team without Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook on it? Not as attractive. He would be more compared to an Eric Gordon-type at best in that scenario. A compliment...like how we are treating EG in the trade thread...

But we have had this convo 200 times on here. Might be best to shut the door.

wolfenstein wrote:
Unfortunately, you might as well close the door on this MVP talk as well. The media pumps this up with the best players on the best teams. Unless the Wolves tear it up and move into the middle of the playoff race, they won't EVER consider him a legit candidate.