Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are rumored to be back on the court together Saturday. The Timberwolves need Rubio’s presence back in the lineup. (Photo Courtesy of larrybrownsports.com)
In the wake of expected backlash from Kevin Love’s harsh comments towards Timberwolves management, Love stands by his thoughts. With some poignant and rude comments being yelled from Timberwolves fans last night during a 108-105 home victory over Denver, Love did want to set the record straight, though. He didn’t back-pedal and say he didn’t mean what he said, but he did provide further clarity to the comments, particularly in that he is not another disgruntled superstar destined to leave the small market for greener pastures.
“I’m not going to fall back and say I didn’t mean the things that I said,” Love told the media before last night’s game. “I do believe this is the closest-knit team that we have, the coaching staff has been great and we have a chance to make something very special this year and for years to come…I’d love to end my career as a Timberwolf.”
Love continued by saying he felt slighted by the organization and he is using it as fuel to propel him to another level, maybe an MVP-level. This is what stars do and what they’ve always done. Minnesota fans should view it as that. Stars don’t just simply forget past slights.
“In some people’s mental makeup [forgetting is] just not in them,” Love said. “Just moving forward is the biggest thing. That’s the same thing I talked about with coach and with David [Kahn] yesterday. I just need to move forward and hopefully this thing won’t keep coming up. I’m done talking about it, really from here on out after today. I’m hoping we can just move on and winning will take care of everything.”
This is exactly what we said here at TCH yesterday. Winning will make this all go away. Losing makes all disgruntled employees more disgruntled. Wins will change everything.
To that effect, a return from Ricky Rubio this weekend would have a tremendous impact. It is rumored from a “league source” on ESPN-AM 1500 and Pioneer Press that Rubio will make his debut this Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks at home. The Timberwolves have yet to confirm the report. Whether he returns this weekend or sometime next week, all of us in Minnesota are eagerly anticipating his return.
It looks like Love can’t wait either. “I’m not going to pick favorites, but he’s one of my favorite teammates and one of the best guys to be around, “Love said about Rubio in his interview with media yesterday. “And I’ve mentioned since Day 1 that it’s refreshing to be around him because he loves the game so much.”
We couldn’t agree more. Rubio’s presence on this team is refreshing. We can’t wait to get him back. As for Love, his comments before the game yesterday as well as his unwillingness to back-pedal from previous statements are refreshing too. The Wolves did proffer a perceived slight, one at which any star should be insulted. It’s refreshing to see Love stand by his comments, something that is rare with today’s athletes. It’s also nice to hear Love can be happy here in Minnesota.
Bottom line–he wants to win. We all do. We should all be as impatient as him. It’s time to start winning.
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