MIke Love's nephew a future NBA star!

[busy doin nothin]

For what this is worth. . . .

I was perusing Parade magazine and came across a small feature on Kevin Love, who is apparently one of the best high school basketball players in the US.  Kevin's father, as described in the article, is Stan Love, Mike's brother who played a little in the NBA in the early 70s before he became Brian's bodyguard (and one of the sources for both the Steven Gaines and Peter Ames Carlin bios).  This article suggests future superstardom is a real possibility for the kid, who is Mike's nephew (and Brian/Denny/Carl's first cousin once removed, not to mention Murry and Audree's great-nephew!).  What really shocked me was that the article makes nary a mention of Kevin Love's familial connection to the greatest musical act of all time!  He must've grown up hearing some tales about cousin Brian . . . .

Here's the URL (sorry I don't know how to make it a proper link):

http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_04-01-2007/Basketball#comments

[the captain]

I've seen Kevin Love on TV three or four times and live once. He is indeed very good, and will be a star at UCLA from the get-go next year. As for NBA superstar, well, he's not very athletic or tall as a PF/C, which is what position he will play. (Relatively speaking, of course. He's certainly both very athletic and tall compared to most of us...)

ESPN ran an interview during the McDonald's All-America game last week and they asked him a little about the Beach Boys. They asked if he likes any Beach Boys songs and has any in his iPod. He said yes, but only Good Vibrations and Help Me, Rhonda. Interestingly, when they asked him his favorite Beach Boys song, he laughed a little, seemingly surprised by the question (which is hard to believe, really) and said, "My dad will probably kill me, but Good Vibrations."

I wonder what Stan has against GV?

[Fun Is In]

Stan was a college basketball star at the University of Oregon, setting many records there.

UCLA is a rival school in the Pac-10 Conference.


Go Ducks!

[Fun Is In]

Didn't know Kevin played high scholl hoops in Lake Oswego......leaving Oregon for UCLA.
Damm. But last year when he had to decide, the Ducks sucked. Not this year.

[Susan]

I hope they leave the BB connection alone.  Let the kid play ball without having to carry around his uncle's or his cousins' baggage.

I'm looking forward to seeing him play...and his size will increase as he matures.  With luck, he'll stick around for three or four years and really get the benefits of playing in a college program.

[the captain]

  With luck, he'll stick around for three or four years and really get the benefits of playing in a college program.

At least he has the good fortune to be from a family situation that doesn't force his hand into declaring for the NBA. Many early entrants are truly coming from virtually penniless home lives, and declare because their families really need the money. Whatever decision Love makes after next season (and any seasons thereafter), that shouldn't be the reasoning, anyway.

[Uncomfortable Seat]

[mikee]

At least he has the good fortune to be from a family situation that doesn't force his hand into declaring for the NBA. Many early entrants are truly coming from virtually penniless home lives, and declare because their families really need the money. Whatever decision Love makes after next season (and any seasons thereafter), that shouldn't be the reasoning, anyway.

I feel that if a kid can get lifetime-level financial security they should take it regardless of what kind of home they come out of.  The opportunity might not be there tomorrow due to an injury or some other unforeseen circumstance.  You can always go back to school later.  The college experience is one that should be highly valued but I think that the kind of offers some of these athletes get are too good to pass up. 
But all this is getting way ahead of things.  Let's see how he does as a Fr. at UCLA first.  I'm  sure that his being a Beach Boy family relative will come up some but, I suspect, not overwhelmingly.

[the captain]

I feel that if a kid can get lifetime-level financial security they should take it regardless of what kind of home they come out of. 

Of course--but many of those who have the financial security already can get that, too--they are allowed to take out enormous insurance policies (I believe the number was recently raised to $40 million) on future basketball earnings. Of course, depending on their family's situations, though, some can't afford those policies.

There is also the issue of making a decision that will put a player in the position to make the most money in the long-term. Sure, some players become Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady or Kevin Garnett out of high school. But there are also those like Taj McDavid, Korleone Young and Leon Smith--some make the league and fail miserably (where they may have developed into better players and people more ready to contribute--and thus earn more money--in the NBA), others never even make it.

[Susan]

That's more what i'm talking about - developing as players.  I watch Jim Calhoun take kids in and teach them not only to win at the college level, but ALSO how to play in the pros - which kids from UNC and Duke, for example, just DO NOT DO at the same level or rate - and i wish that more kids would take the extra year in college, because it would improve their play - and therefore their earning potential - in the NBA.

[the captain]

By the way, ESPN's Chad Ford wrote (and said in his podcast) after watching Kevin Love in the US v. World International Hoop Summit (the best of the US senior HS class v. talented top 20-and-under internationals) that he thinks Love will be a great college player, but not necessarily much of a pro prospect. He says Love has a great feel for the game, but doesn't seem quick enough. Of course, many people said that about Luke Walton, and he is developing into a very good pro. Time will tell, and Kevin has a lot of time.

[mikee]

Of course--but many of those who have the financial security already can get that, too--they are allowed to take out enormous insurance policies (I believe the number was recently raised to $40 million) on future basketball earnings. Of course, depending on their family's situations, though, some can't afford those policies.

I wonder if kids who fall into this category (enough talent to merit obtaining a large policy/ but their family can't afford the premium) could secure a loan to pay the premium.  It seems like it wouldn't be that hard to find the capital assuming the talent is universally perceived.
 In golf PGA , Nationwide, Hooters, and Canadian tour rookies typically get money to survive their initial campaign out there from a pool of sponsors who put up money and get a return on their investment if/when the player earns money.  Of course they are pros and college bsketball players are amateurs but I'm uncertain whether the NCAA could prevent a player from financing an insurance policy.  I know they can be very picky though.  Tiger Woods was under NCAA investigation and suspended for a time from the Stanford golf team because Arnold Palmer picked up a tab, something like fifteen dollars, for a dinner.  That ended up being NCAA and Stanfords loss, and Pro golf's gain.         

[the captain]

I'm uncertain whether the NCAA could prevent a player from financing an insurance policy.  I know they can be very picky though.        

Considering they have rules about whether NCAA athletes can get jobs, how much they can work at them and how much they can pay (the limit is ridiculously low, by the way...I forget the specifics, but it is something like less than $5,000 a year), I am sure they could and would like to prevent it. I don't know enough about that issue, though.