For the Kevin Love fans, he's in Boston checking the town out

[cman88]

Olynyk really hasnt shown us much that he will be a decent backup either...he was a rookie who had a few good months...granted I think he will be a decent backup.

Sullinger is a nice player, but he is nowhere on loves level. the NBA is a stars league and you need stars not just "nice players" to win. Kevin love is a top 10 player who averages a legit 25ppg and 10boards. if you have a chance to go out and get that player you do. because others will follow

[furball]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league. 

[BballTim]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

  Olynyk's not tha bad a rebounder and most rookie bigs are bad defenders.

[j804]

I want to know if Love himself or someone from his camp actually said he's checking out the town. I wonder if he just had something to do in Boston and everybody's jumping to conclusions?

[furball]

Olynyk really hasnt shown us much that he will be a decent backup either...he was a rookie who had a few good months...granted I think he will be a decent backup.

Sullinger is a nice player, but he is nowhere on loves level. the NBA is a stars league and you need stars not just "nice players" to win. Kevin love is a top 10 player who averages a legit 25ppg and 10boards. if you have a chance to go out and get that player you do. because others will follow

Did they follow him to Minny?  He put up those huge numbers on losing teams.  And when ever Olynyk was given playing time he produced.  It might not have been pretty.  It might not have been high light real stuff but he produced.  I am not saying he is going to be the next Love or anything but he has shown he can play. 

But again, I am not saying Love isn't good and I am not saying he would not be an upgrade.  I just don;t see how trading for him makes them anything more then Minny East. 

[bogg]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league.

Trading for Love isn't making trades just to make them. Trading for Love is trading for the go-to guy that you said yourself the team needs. The primary problem I'd have with going to get Love is the potential for him to walk in a year, if he picks up his option or gives a handshake promise to re-sign so long as the team doesn't somehow fall to shambles then he's the best option out there right now. Guys that are legitimate first options only come available every year or two, you don't get a ton of cracks at them.

[furball]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league.

Trading for Love isn't making trades just to make them. Trading for Love is trading for the go-to guy that you said yourself the team needs. The primary problem I'd have with going to get Love is the potential for him to walk in a year, if he picks up his option or gives a handshake promise to re-sign so long as the team doesn't somehow fall to shambles then he's the best option out there right now. Guys that are legitimate first options only come available every year or two, you don't get a ton of cracks at them.

Go to guy?? Minny was awful in close games last year.  They really could have used a go to guy. 

[Clench123]

I am so psyched about this.  That firework is coming, I can smell it

[BballTim]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league.

Trading for Love isn't making trades just to make them. Trading for Love is trading for the go-to guy that you said yourself the team needs. The primary problem I'd have with going to get Love is the potential for him to walk in a year, if he picks up his option or gives a handshake promise to re-sign so long as the team doesn't somehow fall to shambles then he's the best option out there right now. Guys that are legitimate first options only come available every year or two, you don't get a ton of cracks at them.

Go to guy?? Minny was awful in close games last year.  They really could have used a go to guy.

  They were 5-6 in games that were decided by 3 points or less.

[furball]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league.

Trading for Love isn't making trades just to make them. Trading for Love is trading for the go-to guy that you said yourself the team needs. The primary problem I'd have with going to get Love is the potential for him to walk in a year, if he picks up his option or gives a handshake promise to re-sign so long as the team doesn't somehow fall to shambles then he's the best option out there right now. Guys that are legitimate first options only come available every year or two, you don't get a ton of cracks at them.

Go to guy?? Minny was awful in close games last year.  They really could have used a go to guy.

  They were 5-6 in games that were decided by 3 points or less.

5 points or less they were 6-13. 

[crownontherocks]

Marc Atiyeh was walking down Boylston Street with his mother on Saturday when he spotted Kevin Love.

Atiyeh, a Celtics fan, immediately recognized the Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward, whose visit to Boston this weekend has created a stir among Celtics fans hoping their team can land Love in a potential deal, maybe this summer.


Atiyeh then turned to his mother, who?s not much of a basketball fan, and told her that Love was one of the best players in the NBA.

Atiyeh?s mother then told Love that her son had just graduated from Harvard and asked if he would mind taking a photo with him. Love was happy to oblige and took about five photos, one of which has spread like wildfire through social media.

?He was super, super friendly ? super, super nice,? said Atiyeh, a 22-year-old from Lebanon who graduated with a bachelor?s degree in electrical engineering.

Before the two parted ways, Atiyeh, said he told Love, ?MVP next year.?

Love smiled in response.


Just spoke w/ the Harvard grad who took this photo with @kevinlove in Boston today. My story: bostonglobe.com/sports/high-sc? pic.twitter.com/wMxFrJLIZJ


I wish he told love cant wait to see you in green

[bogg]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league.

Trading for Love isn't making trades just to make them. Trading for Love is trading for the go-to guy that you said yourself the team needs. The primary problem I'd have with going to get Love is the potential for him to walk in a year, if he picks up his option or gives a handshake promise to re-sign so long as the team doesn't somehow fall to shambles then he's the best option out there right now. Guys that are legitimate first options only come available every year or two, you don't get a ton of cracks at them.

Go to guy?? Minny was awful in close games last year.  They really could have used a go to guy.

By any reasonable analysis, Love's one of the 10-20 best scorers in the league, and you absolutely need at least one of those guys to be relevant. Right now Boston has none of them. Again: who else are you really going to get?

[blink]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league.

Trading for Love isn't making trades just to make them. Trading for Love is trading for the go-to guy that you said yourself the team needs. The primary problem I'd have with going to get Love is the potential for him to walk in a year, if he picks up his option or gives a handshake promise to re-sign so long as the team doesn't somehow fall to shambles then he's the best option out there right now. Guys that are legitimate first options only come available every year or two, you don't get a ton of cracks at them.

Go to guy?? Minny was awful in close games last year.  They really could have used a go to guy.

By any reasonable analysis, Love's one of the 10-20 best scorers in the league, and you absolutely need at least one of those guys to be relevant. Right now Boston has none of them. Again: who else are you really going to get?

I was at first a bit hesitant to trade for love.  I still am not 100% giving a king's ransom for him, but your statement is very true. 

There don't appear to be many players on the immediate horizon that could make us substantially better in the next couple of years.  LA seems like he would probably stay in Portland with their young core, Lebron isn't coming to the C's, KD isn't coming to the C's, the Pelican's aren't letting Davis go anytime soon.

We have to start at some point going after players that have a big impact on winning.  Maybe Sully and KO will have an impact in a few years, maybe even in 1 or 2 years.  My only concern is that we keep enough assets to be able to eventually get that 3rd great player to add to RR and KL.

[cman88]

Olynyk really hasnt shown us much that he will be a decent backup either...he was a rookie who had a few good months...granted I think he will be a decent backup.

Sullinger is a nice player, but he is nowhere on loves level. the NBA is a stars league and you need stars not just "nice players" to win. Kevin love is a top 10 player who averages a legit 25ppg and 10boards. if you have a chance to go out and get that player you do. because others will follow

Did they follow him to Minny?  He put up those huge numbers on losing teams.  And when ever Olynyk was given playing time he produced.  It might not have been pretty.  It might not have been high light real stuff but he produced.  I am not saying he is going to be the next Love or anything but he has shown he can play. 

But again, I am not saying Love isn't good and I am not saying he would not be an upgrade.  I just don;t see how trading for him makes them anything more then Minny East.

well, I think the C's would put pieces around him and Rondo that would make them more competitive than Minneosta was. Different organization

Plus, NO ONE wants to go to minnesota, even when Kevin Garnett was there playing at MVP level.

[D.o.s.]

Am I the only one who hopes it rains at Fenway tomorrow, some spills beer all over him and steals his wallet?

you don't want us to get a Top 10 player?

I want them to spend their resources upgrading positions of need rather then upgrading position they are already good at.

Having four players at one position that are all good backups doesn't exactly equate to being all set at that position.

Well, for one I think Olynyk is going to be more then just a back up.  But I did say Love would be an upgrade.  I just think there are better places to use the assets.

I doubt it, both in terms of Olynyk being more than a decent backup and there being better places to use the assets. Olynyk's got a nice jumpshot for a guy his size, so he'll be useful as a floor-spacer, but he's a bad defender, doesn't have fantastic post moves, isn't a great rebounder, and isn't much younger than Love to begin with. Olynyk's decent. He's not good enough that you pass on a top-20 player because he plays the same position.

As far as there being better places to use the assets - where? Unless you think Carmelo could be had in a trade, I don't really see another first option being available at any position right now.

I don't know who to use the assets on as I don't know who is available.  I want nothing to do with Melo.  I also don't think there is a rush to use them.  Don't make a trade because it's the only one available.  If there isn't  a trade to be made that brings in a rim protector or a go to guy then make the picks this year and see what happens next year.  Making trades just to make trades is going to get them mired in the middle of the league.

Trading for Love isn't making trades just to make them. Trading for Love is trading for the go-to guy that you said yourself the team needs. The primary problem I'd have with going to get Love is the potential for him to walk in a year, if he picks up his option or gives a handshake promise to re-sign so long as the team doesn't somehow fall to shambles then he's the best option out there right now. Guys that are legitimate first options only come available every year or two, you don't get a ton of cracks at them.

Go to guy?? Minny was awful in close games last year.  They really could have used a go to guy.

By any reasonable analysis, Love's one of the 10-20 best scorers in the league, and you absolutely need at least one of those guys to be relevant. Right now Boston has none of them. Again: who else are you really going to get?

There's a difference between being a solid scorer and being a go-to offensive option. Kevin Love is the first, but it's not clear that he's the second.

You're right, though, in that Love is one of the best players we have a realistic chance of acquiring.