The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ power forward Kevin Love has received some criticism from the current managing director of USA Basketball, Jerry Colangelo. The longtime NBA executive shared his opinions on Kevin Love, per the Athletic. Ultimately, Love did not fly out to Tokyo to participate in the 2020 Summer Olympics. He eventually backed out of the competition.
When Love was first reported to be on Team USA, it came as a bit of a surprise. He had been dealing with injuries that kept him sidelined throughout the season and was unavailable for the Cavs. Apparently, Colangelo was just as surprised.
“I didn’t think Kevin Love was gonna play. I wasn’t even sure he had much left to play. He reached out to us and said he was in shape and said he felt he owed us.”
Love has plenty of experience playing for Team USA, but that was back when he was one of the better power forwards in the league. Colangelo goes on to claim that Love, “wasn’t in shape. And he was way behind as it turned out. So you move on.” The one-time dominant rebounder likely believed he'd be able to use Team USA as a way to get his career back on track. Instead, Love left the team and is preparing for the next NBA season for the Cavs.
Jerry Colangelo didn't mince words by any means while discussing Love's situation, stating, “Call it giving someone an opportunity. Someone who had equity with us. Guys who play for us get a little plus.” With Kevin Love's experience on the team, Colangelo was willing to give Love a shot at making the roster. Things didn't work out though, but Colangelo is still hopeful Team USA takes gold in the Summer Olympics
We'll see what happens with Kevin Love, as the Cavaliers are rebuilding and going in a direction that likely removes him from the roster. Keep a close tab on Love, as he could be on his way out of the door this offseason.
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