Damn Flip called Love out on KFAN

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

I don't think the point is that if it'll hurt Love's feelings. It just comes off as childish. It's going to look especially stupid if Love gets traded to a team that makes the PO and the Wolves win 25 games like last time.

[Coolbreeze44]

Has to be the offseason. We're looking awfully hard for things to talk/complain about.

[Phenom]

I can see why some might see it as childish but Flip didnt hold a press conference or send out a letter to the press saying Love shouldnt complain. He was asked the question and spoke thruthfully. Not really a big deal unless Love is hurt by it.

[Squishypoo [enjin:6648839]]

@$%@ Kevin love,I'm done with him,Trade him ASAP....KG won a ton of games and made playoffs a lot with about the same or less talent around him then love has with him now...Love is not a super star and never well be,Don't get me wrong he's a great player but well never be THAT GUY.....

[WildWolf2813]

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I like Flip's team-first attitude. But I still consider Flip's decision to say what he said publicly an imprudent and inappropriate decision given Flip's position in the organization and the circumstances the franchise currently faces. In addition, I think Alex makes a good point. Although I agree with Flip's team approach and consider Love to be a bit of a whiner, it's hard to blame Love for being frustrated with this organization. I was in the room when Kahn told a large group of season ticket holders that Love was "at best, the 3rd or 4th best player on a championship caliber team. Then there is the list of things that Alex recited. The fair, honest and smart answer to Danny B's question would have been something like the following:

"yes, I can understand why Love is frustrated. He has every reason to be frustrated. But he's not the only one who's frustrated. The other guys in that locker room are frustrated and if they're not they should be. And no one is more frustrated than me".

There was no good reason for Flip to say what he said publicly at this juncture. As for the leverage issue, Flip's comments will likely embolden teams in their negotiations since they will view those comments as further confirmation that the Wolves have no intention of keeping Love. And it further damages the prospect of getting Love to cooperate and work with the Wolves in getting a win-win deal done.

As I mentioned, I think Flip has proven himself to be a good head coach and I'm actually starting to look forward to him taking over on the bench. But I am increasingly convinced that Flip should not be the top executive of this team's basketball operations. In my view, he's not cut out for that sort of position. Even worse now that his time, attention and perspective will be divided between two highly demanding and very different positions.

If Love goes to say, Chicago or even Golden State, wouldn't he be proving Kahn right?

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

If Love goes to say, Chicago or even Golden State, wouldn't he be proving Kahn right?

[mrhockey89]

I find myself disagreeing with most people on this thread (lip/longstanding/drew/alex). Not only do I have no problem with Flip stating that, but I'm happy he did.

Why would it hurt Love's chances at wanting to stay? Because it's challenging Love's feelings? I call BS, and here's why... Let's look at the possibilities of what Love's current thoughts are and what Flip's words could possibly do...

-Love could want out regardless. In this scenario, it doesn't matter what Flip says, but it does give the rest of the team a leader to stand behind in Flip.

-Love feels sorry for himself for not making the playoffs, feels it's probably best to move on. In this scenario, if Flip says "yes, Love has the right to feel sorry for himself" then he's basically validating that Love should want out. This reinforces Love feeling sorry for himself. By Flip stating what he did, it challenges Love into taking a new perspective and ownership on the situation with where the team is at. It clearly worked with Sam Mitchell saying it to Kevin Garnett. To Lip's point about being appropriate for the lockerroom but not the media, that's a nice thought, but we're in the offseason and decisions need to be made before Love gets into the Wolves lockerroom again. If Flip had no coaching history, then I'd agree, but Flip's got coaching cred, and coached one of the best of all time at the position, and let's face it...Flip is 100% correct with his statement, it's not a bitter statement, but a legitimate one.

-Love isn't convinced he wants to leave, just wants to make the playoffs finally. Flip's comments offer the realization to Love that if he refocuses his efforts and attitude then that may end up being a big difference to the team going forward.

Why should Flip feel sorry for Love? The Wolves spearheaded probably the biggest All-Star push of any player in the NBA this year of any team with the way they pushed Love into All-Star starter despite the fact his game isn't taylor made for that type of game, and he thanked the fans, then the next thing he does is turn his back to the same team and same fans that showed overwhelming support for him. Love may have the right to want to make the playoffs, but like Flip said...either be part of the problem or part of the solution. Why isn't Love leading? Why isn't Love showing a commitment to Minnesota as a destination and trying to get into Carmelo's head to come to Minnesota instead? Why on Earth would a big time free agent consider signing long-term with the Wolves when their top player has been making it known he isn't committed? Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd both wanted to come to Minnesota...does that happen if KG was forcing his way out?

A little "AA" (attitude adjustment) would go a long ways for Love and taking the Wolves to the next level. Someone needed to call out Love, and it looks like both Flip and Rubio said it like it is.

[mrhockey89]

Lip, I recall Kahn saying that, but I think he said "2nd or 3rd" best player (although you could be right)...but keep it in context..Kahn did say that BEFORE Love had his breakout season and was sharing the floor with Al Jefferson. Love has since exceeded all our expectations for his ceiling.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

]It clearly worked with Sam Mitchell saying it to Kevin Garnett.

Yea I get that KG was loyal and didn't really speak up. However, after he left for the Celtics, he said his biggest regret was being so loyal and not doing something earlier.

Why isn't Love leading? Why isn't Love showing a commitment to Minnesota as a destination and trying to get into Carmelo's head to come to Minnesota instead? Why on Earth would a big time free agent consider signing long-term with the Wolves when their top player has been making it known he isn't committed

When Lebron was with the cavs he tried to get players to come play with him. They wouldn't come because the cavs management stunk, I believe Amare came out and said it at the time. It's laughable that you think Love could get someone like Melo to come here I hope it wasn't a serious thought.

A little "AA" (attitude adjustment) would go a long ways for Love and taking the Wolves to the next level. Someone needed to call out Love, and it looks like both Flip and Rubio said it like it is.

[mjs34]

Im cool with Flips comments. For all we know, Love wants nothing to do with what Flip is selling so Flip is publicly telling Love that you are either with us or against us and when he is traded, there will be fan support.

I think you are right. It seemed more like Flip preaching team to ease the pain of losing a star player. As much as I would like to believe Flip, I think we all know this is a superstar driven league. We saw as much when KG left the wolves.

When Lebron was with the cavs he tried to get players to come play with him. They wouldn't come because the cavs management stunk, I believe Amare came out and said it at the time. It's laughable that you think Love could get someone like Melo to come here I hope it wasn't a serious thought.

Funny that it was Amare doing the talking. How did he and Melo workout??