Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love dismissed the criticism directed at him from Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, whom Love told to worry about his own players. Love's response follows Taylor openly questioning his ability to play defense and to stay healthy.
It didn't take long for Love to respond to Taylor's seemingly unwarranted assessment of him.
"I think emotions are definitely running high right now," Love said Wednesday on ESPN's "Mike and Mike" show. "For Glen to say that, I just think that he should be focusing on the players that he just received. I mean, he has two of the No. 1 picks in the last two drafts: Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. He has another guy who can really play in Thaddeus Young.
"I think he got a lot for me. So I'd be focusing even more on that. More than anything, I'm just excited to start my time in Cleveland, get to work with my new teammates, and start with this new family here."
Taylor started the exchange of words when he spoke candidly on ESPN Radio about his thoughts on the three-team trade that sent Love to Cleveland.
"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 on Tuesday. "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 also questioned Love's ability to stay healthy.
"The only thing I still have a question mark about is health," said Taylor, seemingly referencing Love breaking his hand twice and missing most of the 2012-13 season. "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."
And Love's defense:
"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. "I would guess they're going to ask him to play more defense, and he's foul-prone."
Still, Taylor's remarks fell far short of the letter Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert wrote when James left Cleveland.
