Team USA: No love for Love from Coach K?

funkatron101 · Post #1 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 2:51 pm

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... om-coach-k

ISTANBUL -- One of the big mysteries surrounding Team USA at the FIBA World Championship is why Kevin Love's playing time has been so limited.

He has been, by far, the most productive and aggressive player for the Americans when it comes to producing points and rebounds off the bench, but he is playing behind Andre Iguodala at the 4 spot and behind Lamar Odom (and sometimes Tyson Chandler) at center.

In yesterday's victory over Iran, which I dissected in my postgame column with a critical eye regarding the Americans' offense, Love led the team in scoring with 13 points despite playing the fewest minutes (just under 11) of anyone on the roster.

"I just go out there and try to be productive. Coach said today everybody's in their roles," Love told ESPN.com. "I think for me, I know Lamar is going to be the starting center, and he's going to play a lot of minutes. So when I get the chance to come in, whether I'm playing 5 minutes or 25 minutes, I have to get the job done. And I feel I've done a good job contributing thus far."

Love played only 5:20 in Team USA's 2-point victory over Brazil, 13:24 in the 22-point victory over Slovenia and 13:14 in Team's USA's tournament-opening 28-point victory over Croatia.

That's a total of just 42 minutes in five games, yet Love leads Team USA in total rebounds with 28 (Kevin Durant is second with 27, and Odom has 26) and in offensive rebounds with 10 (Iguodala is second with 6). He also has shot 50 percent from 3-point range and 61 percent overall, and he is the team's fifth leading scorer (8.3 ppg) behind Durant (18.8), Chauncey Billups (10.0), Derrick Rose (9.5) and Rudy Gay (9.0).

First Rambis, then Krzyzewski. I see a pattern here.

Post #2 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 2:59 pm

Don't compare coming off the bench for Team USA to coming off the bench for the Wolves.

Vindicater · Post #3 » by **Vindicater** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 3:05 pm

funkatron101 wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/19616/team-usa-no-love-for-love-from-coach-k

ISTANBUL -- One of the big mysteries surrounding Team USA at the FIBA World Championship is why Kevin Love's playing time has been so limited.

He has been, by far, the most productive and aggressive player for the Americans when it comes to producing points and rebounds off the bench, but he is playing behind Andre Iguodala at the 4 spot and behind Lamar Odom (and sometimes Tyson Chandler) at center.

In yesterday's victory over Iran, which I dissected in my postgame column with a critical eye regarding the Americans' offense, Love led the team in scoring with 13 points despite playing the fewest minutes (just under 11) of anyone on the roster.

"I just go out there and try to be productive. Coach said today everybody's in their roles," Love told ESPN.com. "I think for me, I know Lamar is going to be the starting center, and he's going to play a lot of minutes. So when I get the chance to come in, whether I'm playing 5 minutes or 25 minutes, I have to get the job done. And I feel I've done a good job contributing thus far."

Love played only 5:20 in Team USA's 2-point victory over Brazil, 13:24 in the 22-point victory over Slovenia and 13:14 in Team's USA's tournament-opening 28-point victory over Croatia.

That's a total of just 42 minutes in five games, yet Love leads Team USA in total rebounds with 28 (Kevin Durant is second with 27, and Odom has 26) and in offensive rebounds with 10 (Iguodala is second with 6). He also has shot 50 percent from 3-point range and 61 percent overall, and he is the team's fifth leading scorer (8.3 ppg) behind Durant (18.8), Chauncey Billups (10.0), Derrick Rose (9.5) and Rudy Gay (9.0).

First Rambis, then Krzyzewski. I see a pattern here.

Yeah, I see an elite level high energy player who does not have the stamina to play extended minutes, yet for limited minutes will be the best player on the court. I see a player who if he accepts his limitations could build upon his strengths and be a multiple 6th man of the year award winner who also claims 2-3 rings. (With the Timberwolves or not, I don't know. I hope the Timberwolves).

southern wolf · Post #4 » by **southern wolf** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 3:08 pm

I wonder who he feels more appreciated by now? :roll:

Post #5 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 3:14 pm

southern wolf wrote:I wonder who he feels more appreciated by now?

What is that supposed to mean? Coming off the bench for a team full of borderline all stars isn't the same as getting your minutes sniped by Ryan Hollins.

southern wolf · Post #6 » by **southern wolf** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 3:19 pm

Worm Guts wrote:
southern wolf wrote:I wonder who he feels more appreciated by now?

What is that supposed to mean? Coming off the bench for a team full of borderline all stars isn't the same as getting your minutes sniped by Ryan Hollins.

I was being sarcastic.

cpfsf · Post #7 » by **cpfsf** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 3:25 pm

Worm Guts wrote:Don't compare coming off the bench for Team USA to coming off the bench for the Wolves.

boom

funkatron101 · Post #8 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 6:09 pm

Vindicater wrote:Yeah, I see an elite level high energy player who does not have the stamina to play extended minutes, yet for limited minutes will be the best player on the court. I see a player who if he accepts his limitations could build upon his strengths and be a multiple 6th man of the year award winner who also claims 2-3 rings. (With the Timberwolves or not, I don't know. I hope the Timberwolves).

That's the point I was getting at. Everyone says "This guy is elite, why isn't he playing more?" Whether it's on the Wolves, or Team USA. Yet both coaches have limited his minutes. Have they determined that he just can't physically play more, or is it something else?

Post #9 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri Sep 3, 2010 6:16 pm

I don't know that it's for the same reasons. With Team USA you've got plenty of other good options. With the Wolves limiting his minutes just seems silly.

Rockmaninoff · Post #10 » by **Rockmaninoff** » Sat Sep 4, 2010 4:23 am

He's not a good enough defender, and he's getting the majority of his numbers against tired, beaten players. His rebounding isn't important, because Team USA is significantly outrebounding opponents sans Love, while shooting ridiculous percentages.

Love is a very skilled player, but his body type and athleticism negate a lot of that. He needs to get into tremendous shape if he ever wants to realize his potential.

Vindicater · Post #11 » by **Vindicater** » Sat Sep 4, 2010 4:39 am

funkatron101 wrote:
Vindicater wrote:Yeah, I see an elite level high energy player who does not have the stamina to play extended minutes, yet for limited minutes will be the best player on the court. I see a player who if he accepts his limitations could build upon his strengths and be a multiple 6th man of the year award winner who also claims 2-3 rings. (With the Timberwolves or not, I don't know. I hope the Timberwolves).

That's the point I was getting at. Everyone says "This guy is elite, why isn't he playing more?" Whether it's on the Wolves, or Team USA. Yet both coaches have limited his minutes. Have they determined that he just can't physically play more, or is it something else?

As I said, I think he is so god because of the amount of energy and intensity he emits on the court. Unfortunately it can't be sustained for long. I really think he is best playing around 28 minutes off the bench in the NBA.

LordBaldric · Post #12 » by **LordBaldric** » Sat Sep 4, 2010 5:59 am

I hope Love gets traded to a team where the fans appreciate his talents. Way too many haters on this board. I hope you guys are psyched up for Supercool "dumbass" Beas...

Post #13 » by **Klomp** » Sat Sep 4, 2010 6:04 am

We appreciate his talents. But that doesn't mean we can just ignore all his shortcomings.

horaceworthy · Post #14 » by **horaceworthy** » Sat Sep 4, 2010 9:21 pm

LordBaldric wrote:I hope Love gets traded to a team where the fans appreciate his talents. Way too many haters on this board. I hope you guys are psyched up for Supercool "dumbass" Beas...

funkatron101 · Post #15 » by **funkatron101** » Sun Sep 5, 2010 12:47 am

LordBaldric wrote:I hope Love gets traded to a team where the fans appreciate his talents. Way too many haters on this board. I hope you guys are psyched up for Supercool "dumbass" Beas...

WTH? Who hatin' here?

Vindicater · Post #16 » by **Vindicater** » Mon Sep 6, 2010 1:06 am

LordBaldric wrote:I hope Love gets traded to a team where the fans appreciate his talents. Way too many haters on this board. I hope you guys are psyched up for Supercool "dumbass" Beas...

Why do you even post here anymore? I thought you had left to suck on Cousins and Evans willy's down in sac-town?

Breakdown777 · Post #17 » by **Breakdown777** » Mon Sep 6, 2010 2:36 am

I'm pretty sure it's Love's D that hinders his minutes...in both situations. I know he stuck to Barbosa like glue to alter the buzzer beater attempt, giving us the win vs. Brazil, but I think that Love just isn't needed as much, and with the speed of many players from around the world...it makes sense to play a fast big man or a shot blocker....Love is neither.

Good performance in limited minutes is still good performance, I don't have much of a problem with it as long as he figures out a way to stay on the floor longer.

mandurugo · Post #18 » by **mandurugo** » Mon Sep 6, 2010 5:35 pm

Breakdown777 wrote:I'm pretty sure it's Love's D that hinders his minutes...in both situations. I know he stuck to Barbosa like glue to alter the buzzer beater attempt, giving us the win vs. Brazil, but I think that Love just isn't needed as much, and with the speed of many players from around the world...it makes sense to play a fast big man or a shot blocker....Love is neither.

Good performance in limited minutes is still good performance, I don't have much of a problem with it as long as he figures out a way to stay on the floor longer.

Weak sauce man, weak sauce. I just hope Kevin Love gets traded to a World Cup team that appreciates him. Free Kevin Love!

AQuintus · Post #19 » by **AQuintus** » Mon Sep 6, 2010 5:46 pm

Breakdown777 wrote:it makes sense to play a fast big man or a shot blocker....Love is neither

Odom is also neither, though, and he's been getting almost all of the C minutes. Chandler, on the other hand, is both, and he's the 3rd string C.

The whole situation stinks of either Odom having incriminating pictures of Coach K in some kind of compromising position, or Coach K giving Odom a ridiculously long leash because he's a "veteran" and Chandler and Love aren't.

Dewey · Post #20 » by **Dewey** » Mon Sep 6, 2010 8:36 pm

There would be nothing better than to see Love traded away from the Wolves rather than listening to the constant whining ... clearly become a bunch of hypocrites.

Love has proven to eb an elite rebounder at a young age and does understand the value his role has to a winning team ... however, couch potatoes likely do not have that fundamental understanding of the game.