National Basketball Association

T-wolves owner critical of Love, says Cavs might not be best fit

Published Aug. 27, 2014 7:27 a.m. ET

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Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor had some parting shots for his departing franchise player.

On the same day the Cleveland Cavaliers introduced Kevin Love, Taylor questioned just how well the three-time All-Star will fit with his new, star-studded cast.

"I think where maybe he got away with some stuff not playing defense on our team, I'm not sure that's how it's going to work in Cleveland," Taylor said on ESPN Radio 1500 AM in the Twin Cities on Tuesday. "I would guess they're going to ask him to play more defense and he's foul prone."

Love's defense has never been the strength of his game during his six-year stint in Minnesota. Love has failed to average at least a block or steal a game in his career despite averaging double-digits in rebounds in all but one season.

Taylor believes that if the Cavs get off to a slow start, fans will point the finger at Love.

"I question Kevin if this is going to be the best deal for him because I think he's going to be the third player on the team," Taylor said. "I don't think he's going to get a lot of credit if they do really well. I think he'll get blame if they don't do well. He's around a couple guys that are awful good."

Taylor wasn't done poking holes in Love's game, even questioning how healthy he will be if the Cavs re-sign him to a maximum contract, which the team is expected to do next summer.

"If they sign him to a five-year contract like they're thinking about, that's a big contract on a guy that's had some times he's missed games," Taylor said of Love, who played in 18 games in 2012-13 season due to breaking his hand twice.

"The only thing I still have a question mark about is health. I had that concern then (when they negotiated his previous contract) and I still have that concern. I think Cleveland should have that concern too."

Love has missed at least one game during his first six seasons in the NBA.