Minnesota Sports Forum

Hicks123 wrote:Man, while I get the sentiment, all Kevin Love has done the past year is torpedo this team. I am not at all concerned about his comments and how they impact our ability to attract players in the future. Other players certainly have eyes and ears and have seen how Love has handled this whole situation....which is not well IMO. And many have cited the "disrespect" given him when we didn't apply the max 5 year deal. It may have been a mistake looking back, but it was certainly not a sign of disrespect. The team had concerns, and thus gave him what they deemed appropriate. Nothing wrong with that.

I just find it funny that a guy like Love can show all the antics he has shown, including giving an ultimatum and forcing his way out of town, and then Taylor takes heat because he says Love is a horrible defender and is a bit injury prone....which are both true.

Love gave an ultimatum?

There is so much wrong here. Taylor is an idiot. What's frustrating is that he's the #1 reason we have a franchise in Minnesota and for that, we should all be grateful. But he's also the #1 reason why we have sucked for so long. These sorts of statements about a former superstar player are the exact sort of things that give him and this franchise a bad reputation across the league.

As for Love, I think it's fair for folks to criticize his petulance and persona. It's absolutely not fair to criticize his decision to want out. And he did it the right way - working directly through his agent.

I don't see any reason why anybody in this organization should "wish him all the best in Cleveland", but there is no reason to come off as petty either. Better to just move on and focus on our bright future.

khans2k5 wrote:Also, the Kyrie > Love posts are cute but so far from the truth. While playing little to no defense, Love is a top 10 player in this league and is probably a top 5 player. Kyrie is not even a top 5 PG in this league, let alone overall player. Love will be the number 2 guy in Cleveland because he is twice as lethal offensively as Bosh and will be the primary pick and roll big while Kyrie is the backup pick and roll initiator. Love will be the pick setter for Lebron and Kyrie making him get twice as many looks as Kyrie will get.

Agreed.

Camden0916 wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:Also, the Kyrie > Love posts are cute but so far from the truth. While playing little to no defense, Love is a top 10 player in this league and is probably a top 5 player. Kyrie is not even a top 5 PG in this league, let alone overall player. Love will be the number 2 guy in Cleveland because he is twice as lethal offensively as Bosh and will be the primary pick and roll big while Kyrie is the backup pick and roll initiator. Love will be the pick setter for Lebron and Kyrie making him get twice as many looks as Kyrie will get.

Agreed.

In addition Love can score 15ppg with absolutely no plays run for him. During his time in Minny most of his offense came within whatever offense he played in. In addition Love is the only true post scorer on the Cavs so he is going to get looks there. Having said that Irving is going to get touches although they will be less than he has gotten before but I think he will be ok especially now after some time with team USA. The guy I wonder about a lot more is Waiters.

Q -- There is so much wrong here. Taylor is an idiot.

I agree. Taylor is getting ripped nationally by Mike and Mike and everone else for being a classless jackass. he did the same thing to KG. How did this man build the fortune he did?

He's made some mistakes and said some dumb things in the past but I'm not understanding the resentment towards Taylor based on these comments. Everything he said is accurate, this isn't like the KG situation where he was clearly just bitter and said things that weren't even true. Love forced his way out when the team finally gained some upward momentum, to make Taylor out to be the bad guy in this situation based on truthful comments he made is ridiculous.

The Rage Monster wrote:He's made some mistakes and said some dumb things in the past but I'm not understanding the resentment towards Taylor based on these comments. Everything he said is accurate, this isn't like the KG situation where he was clearly just bitter and said things that weren't even true. Love forced his way out when the team finally gained some upward momentum, to make Taylor out to be the bad guy in this situation based on truthful comments he made is ridiculous.

It's not about "telling the truth"... it's about public relations or protecting the "brand". Regardless in how truthful his comments were, they are perceived poorly. Because they make the Wolves look petty.

There was no reason... no positive end game... to rip the 2nd best player in franchise history on the way out the door. Just move on.

Protecting the "brand" is absolutely correct.

I know some big Vegas guys and have heard some crazy stories from their host(s)----you get one of these guys to book everything for you; from rooms, rides, shows, you name it...anything....and they'll get it for the price of FREE . Because they want you to be happy at their casino (brand) .

But back to my point, I've heard of some stories that should make headline news but the casino just sweeps it under the table and acts like it never happen. Again, they want to protect their "brand".

Why can't Taylor see this?!?! Even if he does speak the truth, he can't possible spin in the possible way because the media sells. And all they want are reactions and controvertses that drum up interest in their program so people will call or listen----so that they can just sell, sell, and sell more ad space. So sad that a business mogul like Taylor can't see this.

BTW. The sports books odds that you hear about from Vegas (ie. Vikings -5 or under is 48 for a certain game) are made by 3 guys! That's it! Three guys locked up at some undisclosed room at the Mirage---not literally locked up. But very secured. That according to one host----said that he drives a VERY, VERY nice car.

Love's response.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11417244/kevin-love-cleveland-cavaliers-says-minnesota-timberwolves-owner-focus-own-team

Pretty good in my opinion. Taylor needed to move forward as soon as this trade was complete. He admitted that they should have gone a longer contract, he can have his opinion's, but sometimes sharing them makes you an asshole.