Kevin Love: My best basketball is ahead of me

This injury is one of the hardest things I’ve dealt with. It was really tough to go out the way that I did. I knew when it happened I probably wasn’t going to be able to return to play. But when I heard the news that I was going to have to get surgery, and be out for four to six months, it was a big, big blow to me.

As time went on, I was upset, but I always knew that I was going to get to the point where I could talk to Kelly and say, “Hey, man. All good.” So we could move on. So I asked my agent to get me Kelly’s number. And that was it, just a text exchange: “Just want to let you know, no hard feelings. It’s all part of the game.” It was very genuine. He told me he appreciated it. I didn’t want him to worry about what anyone was saying these days. I expressed that I was initially very upset, which I thought was understandable. But I don’t think he is that type of player. We’re cool. …

I’m down to 238 [pounds]. But throughout my career, I’ve always looked at injuries as opportunities. No, the timing is never great. But I ask myself, “What can I do to better myself in the meantime, as far as basketball and my body?” You look at guys around the league and reassess.

I got teased, like any kid who was round and big would be. And coming out of college, I was, for lack of a better term, doughy. I was watching Charles Barkley when he was drafted in 1984 out of Auburn, he was the “Round Mound of Rebound.” I was like that. I rebounded, and I was roundish. Well, maybe rounder is more appropriate. … It’s cool to see where my body has come from over the years. If you asked me to pose back then, that would have been a solid “No.” A hard “No.”

At the end of the day, I want to play until I’m 40. And I would like it to be my choice. I 100 percent think that my best basketball is ahead of me.