We are a little late. Can you ever forgive us? Thanks, you’re a lot more loyal to us than the Minnesota Timberwolves fans are towards Kevin Love.
T’WOLVES WON’T FORGET LOVE
On the eve of the Cavaliers first meeting with Minnesota this season, Timberwolves coach and president Flip Saunders admits that he has no bad feelings towards his old star Kevin Love.
The fans however…
Via AP:
On the eve of the Timberwolves’ first game against Kevin Love, president and coach Flip Saunders says he harbors no grudges against the former face of the franchise for wanting out of Minnesota.
He can’t say the same for the fans.
Saunders says he doesn’t think Timberwolves fans will forgive Love for orchestrating his exit from the Wolves this summer after six years in Minnesota. On Monday after practice, Saunders said “Minnesota people are pretty loyal. When you turn on Minnesota, they don’t forgive you.”
The Wolves traded Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers in August. The Cavaliers sent them Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett and the Wolves landed Thaddeus Young from Philadelphia in the three-team deal.
WADE: HEAT SHOULD WELCOME JAMES, NOT BOO HIM
With Christmas Day fast approaching, LeBron James’ return to Miami is also edging closer with the Cavs facing the Heat on Thursday.
A close friend of James and Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade believes that LeBron should be remembered for the good times on south beach. In James’ four seasons with the Heat, he led them to the NBA Finals on all four occasions, winning two titles in that spell.
Via ESPN:
The Christmas Day showdown between the Cavaliers and Heat will mark the first time James returns to AmericanAirlines Arena since he opted out of his contract last season to rejoin the Cavaliers.
“It’s going to be a mixture,” Wade said of how he anticipates fans will respond to James. “How I think he should be received is a little bit different. The man helped take us to places we’ve only been once before he got here. So I think he should be received very well for that at the start of the game. And then, when the game [starts], then do what you’ve got to do.”
The Heat plan to show a video tribute that highlights James’ contributions to the most successful four-year run in franchise history. With James leading the way, the Heat became the first team in 30 years to make four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. Miami won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, with James winning regular-season and Finals MVP honors both seasons.
JOSH SMITH WAIVED BY THE PISTONS
Detroit Pistons have today waived Josh Smith and have decided to rebuild their roster.
Via ESPN:
The 29-year-old Smith was averaging 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this season.
“Our team has not performed the way we had expected throughout the first third of the season and adjustments need to be made in terms of our focus and direction,” coach and team president Stan Van Gundy said in a statement.
“We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future. As we expand certain roles, others will be reduced. In fairness to Josh, being a highly versatile 10-year veteran in this league, we feel it’s best to give him his freedom to move forward. We have full respect for Josh as a player and a person.”
