Of all the prime time freshmen in college ball this past season, it was thought all along that if any of them were going to come back for their sophomore season, UCLA’s Kevin Love could be that guy. Not gonna happen. Reportedly, some time this week (most likely Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Daily News), Kevin will announce his intentions to go pro and will sign with an agent.
The aforementioned article says that Ben Howland told Love that he’s being projected anywhere between No. 4 and No. 14 in the draft (the always on-point NBADraft.net currently has Love at No. 13).
What do you think? Is this a good move for Love? And do you think he’ll make a good pro?
April 14th, 2008 at 8:36 am
K Dizzle says:
not ready, I don’t think. At the 4-14, he’ll be goin to a team that he might not be able to really be a factor on. What if dude ends up on Minny or Seattle or Memphis? Shoulda stayed one more and got stronger cuz he looks a little doughy, goin to a league where even Bogut, Camby etc will easily move him off his spot. It’s the diff between man strength and boy strength. Good skills but i guess we’ll see
April 14th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Kobeef says:
Bad move. He should have stayed at UCLA and a)got in shape (doughy is a good description of him) b) expanded his game.
He got owned in the final four by Memphis’ frontcourt of Future D-League players. He can’t play SF cause he is too slow, can’t shoot and is not athletic. He is too small and not athletic enough to be a starting PF in the NBA. NBA comparison? Kris Humphries of the Raptors or Mark Madsen (at best). The other problem is that both Kris and Mark are hustle guys and Love is not.
I expect he’ll get drafted but there is a REAL RISK that he could fall a LONG way below 14 in the first round. Probably not to the second round but he could make much more money if he was willing to put some effort in next year.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Len Bias says:
I think he should stay. My understanding is that he doesn’t need to go (financially speaking). He could use another year to get his body in better shape. UCLA could possibly make another good run in the tournament next year.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Kobeef says:
Number 4 in the draft? Who the hell seriously believes that Love would be picked at 4?
April 14th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Dime Magazine says:
The best way for him to get in shape is with an NBA squad. That’s all he’ll be doing all day, every day, and NBA conditioning coaches will be monitoring everything he does.
If you’re projected to be a lottery pick, you have to go.
- PC
April 14th, 2008 at 9:17 am
jaceofspades says:
as for readiness.. i think hes ready.. mentally, he’s been ready for the nba.. he’s got a good head on his shoulders and a very smart iq for basketball. but i don’t know if he’ll be good. hes a bit undersized at his position. might need to pack on some muscle just to compete ferociously like he does in college. as for all his other skills.. he’s pretty up there.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:26 am
doc says:
He should leave.Mcdonalds all american,Pac 10 POY and went to Final 4.Projected lottery pick.How is that extra year bullshitting in college helping out Hibbert.He dont gotta stay in college to get in shape.Do that shit while you getting paid.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Leftcoasthooper says:
Bad move. Yes mentally he is prepared thus making his learning the inner workings of NBA offense easier, but physically, he’s less athletic than Nick Collison. Another year of college would allow him to develp his body, positioning, shooting and all around athleticism. He is a great player in general, I just hate to see him rot away on the bench while they are waiting to ‘develop’ him. And yeah as an oregon native, he’s from Lake Oswego he def doesn’t need the money.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Three Stacks says:
Kobeef, how can you say K-Love isn’t a hustle guy? Have you seen him play at all?
He is never gonna be the franchise type of player he was in college, but he’s obviously one of those players that are gonna be much more valuable on a good team than a bad team. Even if he gets drafted late in the first round, going to a fundamentally sound playoff team, like the Rockets maybe, will probably be better for his overall career.
Besides, dude’s a winner. Yeah, the Bruins didn’t win it all, but getting to the Final Four is pretty hard, too. And he’s a hard worker, it’s not impossible he develops Boozer-type skills if he works on his midrange and post game a bit.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:41 am
YOUNGFED says:
@post#5
Couldn’t have said it better. NUFF SAID!
April 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
GEE... Where Brooklyn At? says:
If he runs a Carlos Boozer type game he will be fine. Anything outside of that in the L. and I don’t see where he will have an impact on a squad for real. I see him sitting the bench or being a rebound/defensive dude. If he can Boozer his game though, then he will be the shiznit. I don’t see it though.
April 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am
bsteezy3 says:
Love will be a good player. He’s a 7 footer that can shoot. He has size. He will develop. I think if he goes to a team that doesn’t NEED him, he will flourish. I just can’t see him being THE MAN right now; let’s see how it plays out though…
April 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
enter the draft white boy; but dont sign with an agent
April 14th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
K Dizzle says:
he’s actually 6′9. and not many guys have Booz’ combo of speed, strength and hops and he was a 2nd rounder
April 14th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Yooooo says:
I don’t get why people think he’ll be that much better of a pro than Hansbrough. He has more range on his jumper and he is way more basketball savvy, but so is everbody in the NBA. So where’s his advantage? He doesn’t have brut strength, he’s definitely not fast. He isn’t takin cats off the dribble… Because he can outlet the basketball this guys is a lottery pick? Well let’s see him even grabbing boards to get the opportunity to outlet them first. I’d pick Dorsey over him, honestly. At least I know he has the physical attributes to play effectively in an NBA game (i.e. Maxiell from Detroit & old boy from Utah whose name escapes me). Kevin Love will be a great college player, but his type of game will not translate to an elite or even good NBA player. He’ll fall along the lines of college greats like Ed Cota, Joe Forte, Bryant Reaves and the list goes on. Sorry B
April 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
GEE... Where Brooklyn At? says:
K Dizz thank for giving the actual height. Like I said if he ain’t Boozin it he ain’t gone make it.
Nobody really checking for dude today anyway. Today is B-Easy’s day. Looks like he gone be out. Miami and New York look out!
April 14th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Jules says:
Id like to see the Bulls draft him at #8 or 9.
April 14th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
dh says:
Yooooo, remember that a lot of guys like stro swift have the athletic ability to be in the nba but he’s a basketball idiot. i’d rather have mark madsen on my team any day, and kevin love already looks better than him AND he’s a better dancer! (presumably) hee hee heh!
April 14th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
word says:
horrible idea, he isn’t ready for the pressure and that was proven in the big dance. i don’t know what’s worse him rapping or this. man i can’t believe this guy raps. i will never let go of that hilarious fact.
April 14th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
No and no.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
ML says:
Bad Move. But if he’s a Top Projected Pick He’s Gotta Go.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:35 am
todd says:
He’s going to be a better version of kleiza.