Without much public acclaim, without serious backing as a young star of the game, without a great deal of notice in the Twin Cities in a summer dominated by nonstop roster moves and wonder over the next Ricky Rubio development, Minnesota power forward Kevin Love has ascended into an ideal and legitimate candidate to join the Dream Team. Maybe as soon as 2010 for Turkey and the world championships, maybe with the slight delay of ’12 and the Olympics in London, but it’s a real chance at some point.
Love was always an ideal candidate, actually. His game and his makeup are too perfect for international play and for the USA Basketball bosses who want a few role players to mix in with the glamour: good shooter for a big man, great passer, a rebounder to start the fast break, advanced court sense. That’s the international game.
It’s just that now he’s a legitimate candidate. Love had a good showing at the Team USA minicamp last month in Las Vegas — despite early foul trouble that kept him to 17 minutes in the one game — and reinforced his status as fundamentally sound, smart and the prototype international player, according to someone associated with the team. He is not a great defender, but did well handling the pick-and-roll, and the United States sees a ton of pick-and-roll. He is not athletic, but Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski have said many times they are not looking only for decathletes.
Worst habit: I eat way too much candy.
Love to trade places for a day with … Michael Jackson at his height when he was touring. I’d love to see how it feels to be in front of that big a crowd and feel that much love.
First job: Never had one before this
Talent I’d most like to have: I would like to be able to rap.
Favorite meal: Fried chicken, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy
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