The New York Knicks are improbably in possession of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, and control their own destiny in terms of making the playoffs. Although their title chances are slim to none, could making the postseason tilt the odds of landing Kevin Love in 2015 in their favor?
Sad Love interview worries Wolves fans
It's no secret that both the Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, storied franchises in NBA history that have fallen on hard times, are hot after Love when he becomes a free agent in 2015. It's also a poorly kept secret that the power forward is likely to leave Minnesota.
Despite averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds in six NBA seasons Love has never reached the postseason. This year's been the best of his career, with 26.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and a 38 percent mark from downtown, but it still hasn't been enough for the Wolves to crack the Top 8. He was involved heavily in trade talks at the deadline, but made comments that Lakers fans couldn't have taken well.
Wolves better than Lakers according to Love?
"People think it's so far-fetched that I would stay in Minnesota," Love told GQ. "And I'm not s------g on the Lakers, but we have the better team, the better foundation. I'm having fun." While some of that is likely lip service since he has another full season with the Wolves coming up, his point about L.A.'s situation is valid.
The Knicks aren't much better, but this year they added Phil Jackson to the front office, which may in turn be a dangling carrot enticing Carmelo Anthony to remain in the Big Apple. With Anthony in the fold, he provides a much younger and more stable running mate than Kobe Bryant does in Los Angeles, with the same big market advantages.
The Lakers are also mathematically eliminated from the postseason already, while Phil believes the Knicks can make noise if they get in.
"When Carmelo (Anthony) had to carry the load in scoring, a lot of times on his own back and other people weren't stepping into helping him carry that load, which Amar'e and J.R. have done, it could be a struggle. But now they have more than one option out there on the floor and I think that we'll give teams trouble."
If Jackson proves prophetic, Love will likely be watching.
Keep up with the chase for Kevin Love @SportsWN
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