Maybe they were afraid Love would injure a teammate, since he is likely to hit one with a Love Lob (since all of them will be cherry picking).
4 of 9. iguodala is more of a SF and actually played some PF in the rookie/soph game when he won MVP.
Are Stuckey and Brooks expected to pay about 30 minutes each? Not that Brooks can't run around for 48 minutes, but the sophomores could really use another guard...
He still isn't good enough to start nor play half of the game for the Timberwolves... and he shoots less than 44% from the field. I know it's gotta be difficult being stuck behind Craig Smith, but still. He's been a great rebounder, but that's about it. Ed O.
Greg and Rudy make it onto the Rookie Team for the Rookie/Soph game in Phoenix. Congrats! Glad Greg made it. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3867715
Where is Love? Does he fall from skies above? Is he underneath the willow tree that I've been dreaming of? Who can say where he may hide? Must I travel far and wide? Til I am beside the someone who I can mean something to? Where? Where is Love?
He may not start, but he plays as many minutes as Greg Oden. Prior to tonight's game: Oden: 23.3 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.5 STG, 1.1 BKG, 1.5 TOG, 3.8 PFG. 0.557 FG%, 17.3 PER Love: 23.0 MPG, 8.8 RPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.4 STG , 0.6 BKG, 1.5 TOG, 2.3 FPG, 0.438 FG%, 17.0 PER That's about as close as two players can get statistically. Oden shoots a higher FG% and gets more blocks, but commits more fouls. Love is a better rebounder and a better passer, but his FG% is low for a big man. He's a better FT shooter than Oden, so their TS% are closer than their FG%, but Oden still wins by a fair margin. I think it really came down to two things. Oden is Oden - a highly hyped former No. 1 overall pick. And he's playing on a winning team. Love is equally productive, but plays on a losing team and doesn't get as many highlight film dunks or blocks. Let's face it. The game is for the fans and most fans would rather see Oden play than Love. But, that doesn't mean Love's stats are inferior to Oden's. As far as not starting... Ironically, earlier in the season Oden was coming off the bench and Love was starting. Now that's reversed. Doesn't mean anything to me. In terms of total production, they are about as close as you can get. I agree with the selection of Oden, but I can also see why Timerwolves fan might think Love got shafted. BNM
BNM, there is more to defense than simply blocks. They are not statistically measured, but Oden, in spite of his fouls, has been a much better and consistent defensive force than Love. Love will always be a defensive liability due to his shorter stature and average athleticism. Oden, on the other hand, is already a solid defensive post presence - IMHO far superior to Love - and will only get better.
Does he have a better case over Marc Gasol? Gasol gets more minutes, 30.1 per game, but when you figure their per minute averages, they look fairly close to me, with the biggest difference being Love is the far better rebounder, Gasol get slightly less rebounds than Oden in more minutes. Gasol also has a PER of 15.22 to Love's 17.
I can see why they might think that, but Oden is starting on a good team ahead of a good player. Love is sitting on the bench on a bad team behind a not-so-good player. I don't think Love did NOT deserve a spot, but I think other players deserved it more. Ed O.
Yes, because we all know everyone comes to All-Star weekend hoping to see some good lock-down defense. Seriously, Oden has a defensive rating of 106 and Love's is 107 - not that it matters in this case. Love plays the 4, and while he is more athletic than most give him credit for (go back and look at his pre-draft numbers), the main thing he has going for him is his wide body and strength. He can keep other power forwards off the blocks and use his low center of gravity to push them away from the basket. He'll never be a great defender, but for a big white doughboy, he's not that bad - given the position he plays. As I said in my first post, I agree with the selection of Oden, but I can also see the case for Love. BNM
That's a coach's decision - not one I'm sure I agree with, as Love is clearly a better player already and has a brighter future than Craig Smith. But, whatever the reason, it seems to be working as the Timberwolves are tied with the Spurs for the best record in the entire league for the month of January. I suspect McHale is bringing the rookie off the bench to take some pressure off him and let him adjust to the NBA game before making him a starter. But long term, there's not doubt in my mind Love will be starting and Craig Smith backing him up. BNM
Maybe you could make a case for Love over Eric Gordon. Gordon has come into his own as of late, but he's just a volume shooter and not very efficient at it yet - 13.7 PER.
That I would have to agree with....it has nothing to do with starting off a game on the bench...it is very apparent that probably soon after the All-Star game Love will be plugged into the starting slot and Smith will be backing him up. The thing is, I don't see why there is even an argument over Oden and Love....It was a given that Oden would be there. My issue is why Love isn't in over Gasol!!! That's the one I have questions about. Thier both on "overall" lottery losing teams...but Minnesota has been one of the top teams to start off the new year (and they have played some good teams) and Love is has been a major factor in that. He has managed a double double in 9 out of the 13 games in January!!! Even just last night he contributed 17pts 10rbs and 4asst in just 22 minutes!!! I honestly can't see how Gasol got in over Love. I really don't see it! Besides can you imagine how fun it would be to see Love tossing those gorgeous outlet passes for wide open dunks...it's a shame we'll all miss that...
