Concerning Kevin Love

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I don't know how many basketball fans are on here, but I have saw Kevin play against my home team Dallas Mavericks (yeah!). I am just curious if anyone knows of how his relationship is with uncle Mike and the other Beach Boys? I wonder if he distances himself from them. I believe I heard that Brian went to a game with Kevin's dad (Stan? Steve?). Has Mike or any of the other BBs talked much about Kevin?

[GoodVibrations33]

When I saw the Beach Boys in February of 2008 Mike mentioned Kevin, who I believe was still at UCLA at the time.

Oh and over the years on SportsCenter some of the anchors have thrown in a Beach Boys reference here and there while highlighting Kevin which I always thought was kind of cool.

[the captain]

I'm in Minneapolis, so the Wolves (for whom kevin plays) are my home team. I am also a huge basketball fan. Mike and Stan have both been to plenty of games in the 1.75 or so years he's been in the league, and I know those two plus Brian went to UCLA games in his season there. Both Mike and Stan have been interviewed during telecasts, too. I've heard the BBs brought up on a couple of occasions during interviews with Kevin. In one, he was asked his favorite Beach Boys tunes and he said something to the effect of "My uncle Mike won't like this, but probably Good Vibrations and Help Me Rhonda." (And before anyone guesses otherwise, it was pretty clear he meant--in  good natured fashion--this because Mike didn't sing lead on them.) As far as I can tell, his relationship is really good with the family.

[A Million Units In Jan!]

And he's a pretty good player, to boot.

[The Shift]

IMike and Stan have both been to plenty of games in the 1.75 or so years he's been in the league, and I know those two plus Brian went to UCLA games in his season there.

Does Brian still go to matches? Is there a possibility that they all still socialise around sport?

[the captain]

IMike and Stan have both been to plenty of games in the 1.75 or so years he's been in the league, and I know those two plus Brian went to UCLA games in his season there.

Does Brian still go to matches? Is there a possibility that they all still socialise around sport?

Let me guess, not an American? (We call them games in basketball, not matches!  ) I have never heard of Brian attending a game here in Minnesota, but he does go to Lakers games, and I wouldn't be surprised if he made a special point of watching the Lakers in L.A. when the Wolves come to town. As for whether the family socializes around sports, I couldn't say, but I wouldn't be surprised. That said, I've never noticed Brian and Mike attending the same games, only each there with Stan.

[the captain]

And he's a pretty good player, to boot.

Heck of a good player, yes. Very skilled big whose passing calls to mind some of the better post passers: Sabonis, Walton, Unseld, etc. Unfortunately we've been bringing him off the bench recently because both he and our star scorer, Al Jefferson, are only around 6-10 and aren't good post defenders. To fix that, they're starting the bigger but nowhere near as good Ryan Hollins (UCLA alum) as center beside Jefferson. Love does not seem too thrilled to be demoted...

[A Million Units In Jan!]

He's coming off the bench? Really? I didn't know that. I knew he started out hurt, and just a few weeks ago he had a career game against New York, I believe. Lot of young talent there in Minnesota....

(and now we're done with Smiley Smile NBA roundup, we return you to the regularly scheduled programming)

[The Shift]

IMike and Stan have both been to plenty of games in the 1.75 or so years he's been in the league, and I know those two plus Brian went to UCLA games in his season there.

Does Brian still go to matches? Is there a possibility that they all still socialise around sport?

Let me guess, not an American? (We call them games in basketball, not matches!  ) I have never heard of Brian attending a game here in Minnesota, but he does go to Lakers games, and I wouldn't be surprised if he made a special point of watching the Lakers in L.A. when the Wolves come to town. As for whether the family socializes around sports, I couldn't say, but I wouldn't be surprised. That said, I've never noticed Brian and Mike attending the same games, only each there with Stan.

Heh!  Thanks Luthor... not an American, but a pure-blood Tyke!

[the captain]

Heh!  Thanks Luthor... not an American, but a pure-blood Tyke!

I haven't got the slightest idea what that means.

[Jon Stebbins]

Hey i have no head coaching experience...but bringing Love off the bench seems like a bad idea to me. Maybe if he was on the Cavs or Lakers...but on the Wolves bench?? The kid is an over-achiever on the boards for his size(6'10" is being generous, I've read he's not even 6'9' in bare feet), the more minutes he logs the better he gets...his post defense isn't great as Luther said...but that can improve with experience and confidence, which being a reserve doesn't exactly cultivate. He has great instincts as a passer, good mid range shot, and a fantastic nose for rebounds. I'm predicting KL won't thrive unless he's a starter logging big minutes. I doubt he'll be relegated to a short journeyman career like his dad, but that could happen if his confidence wanes or his body breaks down. So far, the results are a bit mixed...but he's shown some real promise considering his age/size/experience level.

[the captain]

It's definitely less about his shortcomings and more about the idea that you can't have two undersized posts playing together the whole game (neither of whom can defend athletic bigs). There is no doubt here that he's among our top players (with Al Jefferson and Jonny Flynn) and that he can be a very good player for years to come. And Jon--it's not just a good midrange shot anymore. He came out this year with a 3-point shot! (And I don't mean that it's a fluke, either. He is legitimately hitting 3s now.) Anyway, our post problems are all solved now ... WE GOT DARKO! 

[A Million Units In Jan!]

It's definitely less about his shortcomings and more about the idea that you can't have two undersized posts playing together the whole game (neither of whom can defend athletic bigs). There is no doubt here that he's among our top players (with Al Jefferson and Jonny Flynn) and that he can be a very good player for years to come. And Jon--it's not just a good midrange shot anymore. He came out this year with a 3-point shot! (And I don't mean that it's a fluke, either. He is legitimately hitting 3s now.) Anyway, our post problems are all solved now ... WE GOT DARKO! 

Well, I'm from Michigan (thus making the Pistons my home team), and remember, we had Darko first! You know his nickname is the Human Victory Cigar-because they only put him in when the game was won!

[the captain]

I hate to envision the shame that's about to be heaped upon me, here, but here goes: I still think Darko is/can be a good player. I don't think he will, at least not in the U.S. But I believe he has very good NBA-level talent. It just won't matter because his experience here--coupled with his misfortune of ridiculous expectations based on his draft position and those drafted after him--has soured him beyond help. But I think back to how well he has played in competitions with the Serbian national team, not to mention his size, athleticism, skill level and relative youth (still just 24!). He won't--and does not want to, from what I can tell--really try to make a go of it here. But he could still turn out to be a solid player.

[A Million Units In Jan!]

Well, I think it may be too late for him. I saw an interview with him last summer, and he was just pissed. I think he's upset with the way things worked out for him. Some of it is his fault, and some of it isn't.

[the captain]

But don't you think that holds true more for him in the NBA than him overall? For example, he was one of the better players in the 2006 World Championships. I think he's going to have a long and good career if he wants it ... but not here (in large part because he doesn't want to even try here anymore).

[Magic Transistor Radio]

He might be a better fit as a power foward with a team that has a true center. Imagine him playing along side Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, Kris Kaaman, Shaq or Yao.

[the captain]

He might be a better fit as a power foward with a team that has a true center. Imagine him playing along side Dwight Howard...

The sad thing is, he did, about 3 years ago. And for whatever reason, it didn't quite work (though he did pretty well there). Then they dealt him to Memphis and it went (further) downhill.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

It appears that Kevin Love is averaging 15 points and 10 Rebounds per game. For those that don't know about basketball, if you average at least 10 and 10 that is pretty good. I think he will have a good long career in the NBA. Not saying hall of fame, maybe occasional all star. But as long as he averages 15 and 10 he will have a place.